20 in 2020
I'm fascinated by the way the Happier podcast talks about yearly goals. For the last few years, they've been doing an "x in 20xx" kind of theme, e.g. "18 in 2018" and "19 in 2019." Other people have done similar projects with a milestone birthday ("30 Things To Do Before I Turn 30"). The idea is to write down a numbered list of things you'd like to do in the year.
Unlike resolutions which can be very broad (exercise more), the numbered list tends to be specific (hike once a month). In addition, the blog Coco's Tea Party notes that these tend to be more positive than traditional resolutions. I agree with the Books, The Universe and Everything that it's important to include fun things on your list if you're the type to focus on career goals.
You can create your list however you like. If you're not sure how to start, here are some ideas to consider:
- Choose an overall theme. You could make a list of 20 recipes you'd like to try, 20 places to visit, or 20 books to read. Or if you have a "word of the year," you could tie all your goals to it (see pepsoap example).
- Make a list of smaller steps related to a larger goal. For example, if you've always dreamed about a trip to Ireland, come up with 20 smaller goals to make that happen, including getting a passport, researching places to stay, and saving a certain amount of money.
- Choose several large categories such as Home, Work, Health and make a list of activities in each. (Look at Shelly in Real Life: 20 Goals in 2020 is an example.)
- Make a list with more than 20 items so you can pick and choose 20 as the mood strikes during the year. (This is a great option for those who feel hemmed in by lists of obligations, but it might not work for those who thrive on completing a list of set tasks.)
- Make a random list with a variety of goals: small/large, easy/challenging, quick/multistep, fun/necessary, one time/ongoing.
- Use the calendar to come up with five goals per season (spring, summer, fall, winter). Of course, there are many tasks that can be done at any time, but this will help to ensure that you don't overload yourself with too many goals that can only be done at one time of year such as Christmas or summer vacation.
- Search for examples on Google or Instagram. On Google, try for "19 in 2019 goals" or "18 in 2018 list" for some examples by other people. Adding the word "blog" can be helpful to weed out company websites. Search Instagram to find lists that are handwritten or artistically
done. (Here's a cute one by spotgirldesign celebrating finished items.) After a little searching, you'll see how the lists vary tremendously depending upon where people are in life. Some lists include a lot of career goals, while others focus on family, school, or personal wellness. There is no right or wrong way to do this! Note: There weren't many 2020 examples when I wrote this post; there might be by the time you read this.
- Some lists include reasons why they want a certain item on their list (Sweet Jesilu's 19 for 2019 and Morgans n' More's 20 Goals Before 2020), while others do not (Chow Bella Paleo's My 18 in 2018). The "why" can serve as an important motivator if you think you might lose heart before the year is over.
- The Happier podcast host Gretchen Rubin always includes on her list at least one thing to achieve right away, which is a smart move. Imagine how good it would feel to cross something off your list in early January!
- Word your goals in a way that makes them fun or meaningful. One blogger mentioned a goal of 3 million steps in a year, which sounds much more exciting than walking 8,000 steps a day even though the end result is the same.
- Finish these sentences: "I've always wanted to ...", "I've always been curious about ...", "I wish I knew more about ..."
- Consider things you're already doing. Do you need to expand, downsize, or tweak these activities? Goals seem to always default to doing more, but in some cases it might be wise to do less.
My Own 2020 List
My random 20 for 2020 list includes:
- Make pasta from scratch. I've never done this before, but it sounds like fun. I do own a pasta machine, but of course I've used it for clay, so I can't use it for food. Part of the adventure will be deciding whether I really need a new fancy tool or if I can make do with some low-tech options.
- Replace the overhead light in the kitchen. I've never liked this light (it's a big, boxy florescent) and now it's starting to flicker periodically. This will be a mix of fun (choosing a new light fixture) and pain (hiring an electrician to take out the old and put in the new, plus repainting a high, sloping ceiling).
- Visit one of the paint-your-own ceramic places in Fort Collins. Several of these have opened in the last couple of years and I haven't visited any of them.
- Clean out the filing cabinet in the basement. I've collected a lot of paperwork over the years and most of it can be shredded or tossed. I'm planning to store scrapbooking paper and other craft items in any empty drawers, so hopefully that will help motivate me to finish. This is a task that I've picked at over the years, but never have managed to finish.
- "Create before you consume." This is a phrase I learned from Marie Forleo's book, Everything Is Figureoutable. Basically, the idea is to do your own creative work before you looking at art or reading the words of other people. I want to break my habit of going online first thing in the morning, but I'll need some specifics to do it. Does this mean writing or drawing for 15 minutes while I have my coffee or tea? Should I give myself specific blocks of time to be online (maybe with some software blocking help)?
Are you making a 20 in 2020 list? What kinds of things are you including?