2014 Goals

Now that 2014 is well underway, it’s time to re-evaluate my goals and set this year to be better than ever. Typically, I just reflect on these and never write them down. But this year, I am determined to stick to these goals by focusing on the biggest influencers in my life and using the SMART principle. This means making sure my goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time based. Sharing my goals will also give me greater motivation for sticking to them, so here goes nothing!

Personal/Family + Friends
Family is extremely important to me. Being busy often means spending less time with them and losing touch with close friends. At the same time, it’s important to focus on myself to ensure I don’t burn out. Some of my more general reminders to myself would be to listen more, laugh more and to stop complaining and focus on the positives instead.

SMART goals:

• Be more appreciative: List one nice thing someone has done for me at the end of each day
• Keep reflecting: List one thing I can improve on at the end of each day
• Me time: Give myself an hour a day to be lazy!

Work + Study
By July this year I would have (hopefully) finished my Master degree in Dietetics and become an Accredited Practising Dietitian. The plan from there is to start my PhD project but also to find part time work as a dietitian. Ideally, my job and PhD would tie in together. But with the seemingly woeful employment situation that is allied health at the moment, I’ll settle for what I can get.

SMART goals:

• Be organised: Take 15mins at the start of the day to create a checklist by writing down tasks to do and prioritising them
• Keep focussed: Work in hourly blocks and have a 15min break
• Expanding networks: Aim to create a new network monthly

Health
After the last four years of battle, 2014 is the year I hope to finally get a pump. As such, I have absolutely no excuse to be slack in looking after myself. Although, I am proud to have created some new good habits over the last twelve months, there will always be room for improvement. I think the main mantra would still be having ‘no excuses’!

SMART goals:

• Exercise: Hit the gym at least 3 times a week for 45mins to an hour and keeping active by achieving my 10 000 step daily goal with the help of my Fitbit
• Diabetes: Improve carbohydrate counting skills by learning carbohydrate content of one new food/recipe each week
• Diet: Drinking at least two 600mL bottles of water a day and eating at least one piece of fruit each day