My 2020 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 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

2020:

Work:
-Publish multiple articles a month
-Create and implement a marketing and publicity strategy for my book, with help from Adams Media
-Write at least 1 Elana Lyn post per week, and ideally 3

Personal Finance:
-Invest in the S&P 500
-Contribute 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 this fall
-Finish BBG Round 4 and continue or choose another workout program
-Workout at least 3 days a week
-90/10 gluten-free and dairy-free

Personal:
-Read at least 24 books
-Meal prep once a week
-Make lunch every weekday
-Cook new recipes more often
-Support a charity I care about
-Write more hand-written cards and notes
-Organize for at least 5 minutes per day

And here’s how I did last year. There are some goals I didn’t get to because I was in grad school, got injured running, started working, and also started writing a book, but it is okay for goals to change. The most important thing is to set some so you know what you are working toward!

Journalism:
-Write for at least 3 new publications
-Write at least 2 Forbes articles each month and increase again after graduation
-Speak 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 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

My 2017, 2018, and 2019 resolutions.