It’s nearing the end of the year. Do you have home stretch goals you want to accomplish before we turn the calendar? Come make home stretch goals with me!
I’ve always been a goal-oriented person, but I’ve been really into resolution-type goals over the last few years. I have put a ton of effort into setting resolutions that last the last two years, and I’m happy to report that I’ve had success sticking with them. I’m almost two years into my resolution to read more and almost a year into my resolution to move more. Although I’m very proud of myself for sticking with these goals (and making them in the first place), I’ve recently been thinking about the value in shorter-term goals.
Not every goal you have is resolution worthy or even makes sense as a year-long commitment. That doesn’t mean that it’s not worth it to make short-term goals. Here at the end of the year is a great time to reflect on what you’ve been able to accomplish so far and what you’d still like to do.
We have 10 weeks left in the year. You can do a lot in 10 weeks. Especially when I’m making short-term goals, I find it easier to break things down into bite-sized chunks. I don’t want to look at my life as a whole, but rather look at specific aspects of my life that could use improvement. When making my home stretch goals, I considered five aspects of my life and have set a (hopefully) attainable goal in each category. These aren’t huge life-changing goals, and yours don’t have to be either. Break it down and keep it small. Come on, let’s make some home stretch goals together!
Home Stretch Goals
Personal
Has there been something you’ve been wanting to do to improve any aspect of yourself? If you’re anything like me, you have a laundry list of things that you’d like to do. Take that list and circle the things that are achievable in 10 weeks. I’m sure you still have a fair few left. To pick your personal home stretch goal from this list, it’s time to channel your inner Marie Kondo. Which of these sparks joy? That’s your personal home stretch goal!
My personal home stretch goal
I don’t think I have ever had a personal style. I went to parochial school from Kindergarten through 12th grade, where uniforms were mandatory. Then I went to college and studied chemistry. I was in the lab five days a week, so my style was clothes I didn’t mind ruining and leather closed-toe shoes. It was a good thing I had my trusty Sperry boat shoes from my high school uniform days. After college, I headed to law school and then a job at a law firm. I was finally able to choose clothes that expressed who I was as a person. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a clue. I remain clueless when it comes to my style, and two intervening kids have only made things worse, if that’s possible.
My personal home stretch goal is to find my style. I’m not talking about a full wardrobe overhaul here, just some sense of what I feel comfortable in and what I think makes me feel and look good. So far, I’ve learned that I am a structured pants girly. Don’t give me leggings or stretchy pants. I want denim, and 100% cotton stiff denim at that. Now I need to figure out tops and shoes. Wish me luck.
Professional
Although the best thing you can do for yourself is to end the year on a positive note in your personal life, it’s also great to feel like you’ve accomplished something in your professional life. For better or worse, many of us equate professional success with life success. If we end the year on a down note in our work life, it can cast a shadow on the rest of the year, even if you hit it out of the park in every other facet of life. Hitting a professional home stretch goal can also gather you much needed momentum to take into the early part of next year. I have always found it extremely difficult to feel motivated about work in January, so I can take all the help I can get. If you’re like me, set an attainable professional home stretch goal that will help you now and into next year.
My professional home stretch goal
Things are weird for me professionally this year. I’m sort of in professional limbo, so that’s making it extra hard for me to set and achieve goals in my work life. One thing I know I’ll keep doing, however, is working to improve this blog, my little corner of the internet. So, I’m setting a monthly page views target as my professional home stretch goal. I got really close to achieving this goal last month, but I fell just short, so it’s still on the table as a home stretch goal. I’m working hard to get there, and I thank each and every one of you for helping to get me close to my goal.
Financial
Like it or not, money is important. We need money to buy food and clothes for our kids, keep a roof over our heads, and cheer on our undefeated alma mater (Go Canes!). Even if you’d rather forget about finances, this hard truth means that you can’t. You must set financial goals and keep them front of mind. That is especially true coming down the home stretch of the year as the holidays approach. The holidays are such a source of joy, but they cost so much money. Make sure you don’t get stressed out by the money side of the holidays so much that you lose the joy by setting a financial home stretch goal for yourself.
My financial home stretch goal
Speaking of the holidays, my financial home stretch goal this year is to stick to a budget this Christmas. I am not generally a massive over-spender at the holidays, but I admit that I do get a little carried away. Not only does this result in going over my Christmas budget, it also increases the clutter in my house because most of the extras that I buy at Christmas turn out to be junk. I’m not falling for it this year. I’m making my budget and sticking to it.
Relationship
Relationships are really what makes life worth living, so don’t sleep on making goals to strengthen your relationships! It’s especially important to keep your relationships as a focus here at the end of the year as we head toward the holidays. It is so easy to get swept up in the trappings of the holidays. I know I have been guilty of doing this in past years. I focus on the menu, the gift lists, the Santa meet-and-greets, etc. It’s easy to do, but making relationship-based goals should hopefully keep the important part of the holidays at the forefront. You can make home stretch goals for all of your relationships or focus on the relationship that might need the most attention.
My relationship home stretch goal
This year I’m deciding to focus on my relationship with my husband as my relationship home stretch goal. Not that there is trouble in paradise or anything, but I just tend to focus more on the kids at this time of the year, so this is a good excuse to keep my relationship with my husband strong. The best way I know how to nurture my relationship with my husband in this season of life with small kids is to prioritize time alone with him. So, my relationship home stretch goal is to have 2 date nights with my husband before the end of the year. One every 5 weeks seems doable. Let’s make it happen!
Physical
You couldn’t make any of these home stretch goals work without the help of a healthy body, so don’t forget to make a physical home stretch goal. Please don’t think this needs to focus on losing weight. In fact, I would highly encourage that you not set a goal of weight to lose in the home stretch of the year. Instead, pick something that you know would make you feel better.
My 2024 resolution has been to move more. I’ve been able to stick with it all year, but if this wasn’t your New Year’s resolution, this could be a good one to pick as your physical home stretch goal if you just want to make sure you’re taking care of your physical body at the end of the year. Whatever you choose, make sure it makes you feel better (not worse) about yourself.
My physical home stretch goal
I’ve recently been able to get back in the swimming pool after a nearly 20-year hiatus. It has done my body so much good. I want to keep this goodness flowing, so my physical home stretch goal is to swim a mile once a week. If my 69-year-old mom can do it, so can I!
Other posts
If you’re interested in self- or environment-improvement, check out these posts:
I hope you’ll make some home stretch goals with me this year, friends. I’d love to know your goals, so please share them down below in the comments or over on Instagram @sarainseason.