My 2019 New Year’s Resolutions

I like to reflect and create a list of New Year’s Resolutions — although I think of them as action-oriented goals — every year.

How I plan to stay accountable:
-I keep a list of my goals on the Notes app on my phone so I can check things off (okay, mark it with a gold star emoji) when I complete a big goal
-I make sure a number of my goals are incorporated into my Monthly Checklists and 30 Day Challenges, which I share each month to stay extra accountable 😉
-I write down what I did that day or week in my planner, such as running 4 miles or completing a BBG workout

2019:

Journalism:
-Write for at least 3 new publications
-Write at least 2 Forbes articles each month and increase again after graduation
-Speak at at least 1 event
-Update my portfolio on LinkedIn and Elana Lyn regularly
-Use my planner and write daily to-do lists

Personal Finances:
-Earn $X for Elana Lyn LLC
-Track income and expenses on QuickBooks all year
-Save $X
-Invest in the S&P 500
-Contribute the maximum to my IRA and SEP IRA

Wellness:
-Run another half-marathon
-Go to bed by 11 p.m. most weeknights
-Complete a Runkeeper training program for a half-marathon
-Finish BBG Round 2
-Workout at least 3 days a week

Elana Lyn:
-Write at least 1 post per week
-Publish 50 Career Profiles

Personal:
-Read at least 12 books
-Cook more often
-Meal prep weekly unless I am traveling
-Support a charity I care about
-Write more hand-written cards and notes
-Organize for at least 5 minutes per day
-Wake up by 8 a.m. most weekdays
-Stick to a skincare routine
-Clean out my closet
-Visit DC

And here’s how I did last year! I didn’t meet some of my goals because I started graduate school and that became my main priority, but I think it’s okay for goals to change as your life does. 

2018:

Journalism:
Write for at least one new magazine (print or digital)
-Write 5 Forbes articles each month
Write for at least two new publications
Speak at 1+ events
-Update my portfolio on LinkedIn, Contently, and Elana Lyn regularly
-Use my planner and write a daily to-do list

Personal Finances:
-Earn X for Elana Lyn LLC
-Track income and expenses on QuickBooks all year
-Contribute the maximum to my IRA and SEP IRA

Wellness:
-Eat gluten-free all year, mostly
-Run another half-marathon
-Drink more water
-Go to bed by 11 p.m. most weeknights

Elana Lyn:
-Reach X newsletter subscribers
-Reach X pageviews per month
-Write 2-3 posts per week
-Write 10+ sponsored posts
-Write about journalism and my freelance writing course more often
-Focus on elevating my blog photography

Personal:
-Read the news daily
-Read at least one book per month and write book reviews
-Cook more often
-Support a charity I care about
-Write more hand-written cards and notes
-Wear contact lenses and makeup most days of the week
Journal at least once a week
–Organize for 5+ minutes per day
-Go to Six Degrees Society and The Wing events