Here we are just past the middle of January. It’s a new year and so many people have new goals they are trying to tackle.

Many of you reading this likely have a theme for your year too. {If you do, share with me! I love to hear them!}

I’ve never been through the process of setting a theme and values for the year. I’ve set many resolutions, but I had no idea of the why behind them. Not surprisingly, they rarely stuck past the first couple of weeks of the year.

This year feels different.

Maybe it’s because I’ve declared the things I value this year and gave myself a powerful {to me} theme. Maybe it’s because I’ve let desires lead my goals.

I’ve chosen these things not because they are arbitrary goals, but because I expect they will make me feel the way I want to feel.

Even with all of the work I’ve done in preparation for the year, and all the excitement I have for the promise that 2013 holds for me, I’m worried about what will happen when the newness of the year starts wearing off.

I’m worried my old mindset will start creeping back in. 

It would be so easy to go back to what is comfortable. Pretty much all of my goals this year are pushing me outside of that comfort zone.

But this year, I want to grow. I want to improve my quality of life.

I want to be someone I can count on to get things done that are important to ME.

So I definitely don’t want to take the road that’s comfortable.

I’m so beyond thankful that just when I’m starting to worry about all the new goals and the draw of the comfort zone, I have Elevate coming.

I have 13 amazing women to inspire me, kick my ass into gear, and the lovely Molly to guide and support me – and to call me out on my bullshit when I need it. {Cue happy dance!}

I’m not at an official review point, but I stepped back this week to look at everything I’ve already accomplished. I’m still getting myself set up for the year, but I’m pretty impressed with everything I’ve done so far.

Because I’m obnoxiously Type A, I made myself a list of all the steps I’ve already taken towards those big, sexy goals on my list.

• I bought a pretty gratitude journal
• I bought and decorated my Celebration Jar and then printed/cut some adorable little paper slips and hung them from the jar on a ribbon
• I made a list of my 26 Acts of Kindness and printed out cards to leave when we do one
• I signed up and paid for my Wellcoaches class starting in March
• I signed up and paid for my NASM personal training course {I did this in November, but I’m still working on it}
• I designed and printed my planner and had it bound {holy happiness for my Type A, creative brain!}
• I revamped my cleaning schedule and made myself a pretty chart to follow {pretty things make me happy and motivate me more!}
• I set a tentative workout schedule to include all my desired forms of exercise
• I researched and found a 5k and half marathon to run in this year {one with the option to fundraise for charity – which I wanted to do} plus found a hotel to stay in the nights before the races
• I bought new running shoes, a flip belt, polar ft40 and installed the nike + running app on my phone
• I bought new pants and long-sleeved running shirts so I can run outside in cooler weather
• I joined a gym with a few friends so I can run inside when it’s too frigid to get outside {and have someone to motivate me!}
• I researched and found a few websites with free guided meditation
• I’ve started setting tentative budgets for the trips I want to take in 2013 so I can break down the savings into smaller chunks

I’m sure there are more things I have done, but these are the big ones that came to mind right away. I’m pretty excited that I’ve accomplished this much in 2 or 3 weeks.

I can only imagine all the amazing things I can make happen this year with all the support and motivation I have.

I honestly believe this will be my best year yet!

Bring it on 2013!

Image credit: Flickr

p.s.  The 3rd Stratejoy Essay Contest is open for entries!  Ready to win the $500?  Be featured here at Stratejoy?  Yes!  The theme: “How has a transition revealed a more authentic you?”

p.p.s.  The next Book Club/Tribe Chat Fest is going to be about marriage and partners.  Juicy, juicy. We’re reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s Committed: A Love Story and will be jamming about it on February 13.