Back in January I wrote this postĀ about how I don’t really ‘do’ resolutions, and instead had a couple of simple (ha!) goals for 2016. Ā I naĆÆvely thought that posting them here, with the odd update throughout the year, would keep me accountable. Unfortunately I was wrong. Ā Not only have I not written a single update this year, I haven’t remotely succeeded in completing either goal.
Goal one was to run 1000km by the end of December. Ā Ok, so the year’s not over yet but, as I’ve only run just over 200km so far (and only 10k during November to date), I think it’s fair to say that this goal is not going to be achieved. The reasons are legion, but when I’m motivated and I have the time, running is the best exercise for me, so I’ll definitely be running (more?!) in 2017
Goal two was to read 12 novels during 2016. Ā I started with Life after Life by Kate Atkinson. I didn’t finish it. I’m sorry Kate, it wasn’t because I disliked it, nope, not at all. I just found that I was reading a page, maybe two at the most, per night, before my eyes refused to stay open any longer, and somehow it became a chore rather than a pleasure. I gave it up in the hope of finding something (apologies again Kate!) more engaging, but it wasn’t to be. Whatever I tried to read, I had the same problem. Every. Single. Night. Ā I started The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, a book I’d look forward to reading for a long time as her ‘The Secret History‘Ā is utterly compelling,Ā and IĀ loved her ‘The Little Friend‘Ā almost as much. Ā Once again I gave up as, by the time I got to bed and tried to read, my brain and body started to shut down and I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Ā I’ve always been a reader, and in my head I’m still a reader. I suspect that, in order to read as much as I’d like, I need not to be parenting a sleep-shy pre-schooler while trying to build a business. Ā Sleep comes first š
Don’t be surprised if I have similar (if less optimistic :-D) goals for 2017, but this time, like my recent commitment to post at least twice a week, I’ll commit to updating once a month on my personal goals. Will it make a difference do you think?