My Summer Goals
We all know I’m a sucker for a good goal. Or ten. Or thirty.
And while I’m still committed to my 2017 goals (and am doing a pretty dang good job keeping up with them, if I do say so myself!), this switch to summer has got me excited about new plans and projects.
Couple that with my eagerness to finally start DOING things again after a six month hiatus post-trip (ok, yes, I realize Allison not doing anything includes launching a company, spending a month abroad, and being generally active, but I made a conscious choice to make very very few commitments when I returned from the trip. The only thing I agreed to do every week was play trivia because DUH.), and here we are.
Summer goals.
If you don’t know my goal philosophy yet, here are the basics:
Pick things you are excited about. This is why everyone fails at “lose 10 pounds” but might do better at “run a 5k” (which, sidenote, let’s all take a minute to remember that my sister set a goal to RUN 50 MILES and DID. So there’s that.)
Use metrics. Tangible numbers or measurable achievements. Otherwise, I fake it. I need a number so that I can check it off the list.
Actually take action on the goals! You won’t accomplish them if you don’t do them, obviously. Goals require followthrough, so get started!
That’s about it! Pick something fun, measure it, and actually get started. You are on your way to goal-achieving goodness.
My goals this summer:
1. Learn to Row
On a whim, I signed up for a learn to row class at the Lincoln Park Boat Club. My dad has been telling me for YEARS that I should try rowing, so I finally jumped on it. It’s hard and fun and allows me to be outside on the lagoon for 6 hours a week. Plus it’s a great way to meet new people, learn a new skill, and use some new muscles. Wins all around.
2. Learn to play guitar
This is been a goal for a LONG time, but I have never taken action toward it. This time, as soon as I felt the drive to learn, I reached out to a few friends, borrowed a guitar, and started practicing. I reached out to a few of my old students and had a jam session. And hopefully by the end of the summer, I’ll be able to at least partially accompany myself!
3. Walk A MILLION steps
Each summer, Ian and I volunteer with Hands Offering Hope—an organization run by our friend Amy. We head to Mexico to teach amazing students who are becoming world-changing leaders as part of a program called the Institute. We teach storytelling, digital communications, and web development (without the internet. or computers. yes, it’s hilarious.). This year, as a fundraiser for HOH, Ian and I are each walking a MILLION steps this summer! You can be a part of the fun by contributing to my fundraiser and helping these awesome kids (I can attest that they are amazing and hilarious and totally legit recipients of your charitable giving).
4. Read 15 books
There are 14 weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day, so this would put me slightly ahead of my typical annual pace (50/year—one a week, with two spare weeks for long stuff/busy seasons). Some people tend to read a lot more in the summers, but I find myself slowing down because it’s light out so much later—I tend to stay outside or doing things (like lonnnnggg walks and rowing class!), so I have less indoor book time. I’m hoping to stay on pace as much as possible this summer. So far, I have two and a half down, 12.5 to go!
5. Host 100 people at the Blue Table
A couple of summers ago, I built a table. It’s bright blue and sits under a string of twinkle lights in my backyard. It’s covered in the signatures of each person who has eaten at it, and it is my happy place. I believe fully, entirely in the power of hospitality. Of opening my (always messy) home to anyone and everyone. And offering food (even random non-meal food which is my go-to) never hurts. Apparently, I am not the only person with the same idea.
After re-reading Shauna Niequist’s Bread and Wine and listening to this Jamie Ivey podcast and learning about Neighbor’s Table and hearing about The Turquoise Table book, I had a reinvigorated mission. More table time. More people. More hosting. More gathering. More community. The goal: 100 people around the table this summer. And I’m trying to figure out how to get new people there—people who I might not know yet!
There you have it. My Summer goals.
What about you? I’d LOVE to hear what you are dreaming up for your summer!
Let me know in the comments!
