As we enter this century’s decade of the “Roaring 20’s,” wouldn’t it be wonderful to have 2020 vision, looking into the year ahead with clarity and accuracy?
Or… maybe not. If we could know in advance what tomorrow will bring, would we be better off?
I’m not sure. When I reflect on the year past, I think taking life one day at a time is what we humans can handle best.
Goal setting for a New Year - update on progress
Do you set goals or create New Year's resolutions? I often do. A year ago I created a list of 19 goals for 2019, which was the second year I followed this idea from author Gretchen Rubin.
Unlike the year before, in which most of my 18 goals for 2018 were fully or mostly achieved, this year fell short in a number of areas.
Only eight goals out of my “19 for 2019” have been successfully completed. Four more are close to being completed. Three were started and partially completed. Four were postponed entirely. Does that make 2019 a failure? Of course not.
My vision at the start of the year was not perfect and I could not foresee what would take precedence over achieving my 19 for 2019.
It's okay to partially meet your goals - new ones may take their place.
One example of a partially met goal was #12: Invite neighbors to dinner in our home at least 10 out of 12 months. We managed to do this only three times. Why not more often?
We hosted our grandchildren instead of our neighbors. Our daughter’s new position at her work took her on multiple trips around the globe and we stepped up to help out twelve different weeks throughout the year.
Priorities and goals were adjusted. We did achieve #13 and hosted another neighborhood block party. One win for the neighbors.
Looking ahead we will be doing more babysitting in 2020. Our grandchildren are growing up quickly and soon won’t need us to take care of them when their mother is traveling.
In 2020 we will also be moving my mother-in-law into a nursing facility in our community so we can visit easily and often. We don’t have 2020 vision to know how many more days or years we have to spend with her.
A new, more realistic, plan for goal setting
My original plan for 2020 was to set 20 goals. My current plan is to set goals and priorities on a daily, weekly, and quarterly basis, allowing for family caregiving priorities to take the lead.
When the road ahead looks foggy or dark and our vision is limited, we can focus on whatever distance we can see and keep moving forward.
As I enter 2020 without 2020 vision, this compulsive planner, doer, and goal-setter vows to live this year one day at a time, thankful for another day to live and focusing on being fully present in each day.
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~ Melody Beattie
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