On January 5th I posted my first official goal for 2013 on my Facebook page, along with my goal to set and achieve 13 goals in 2013. I’ve decided to share my 13 in 13 goal journey via my blog…and you’re invited to join me! Here’s how it’s going to work…


Thirteen in 2013

First, this is opportunity to share what you want out of 2013 so my readers and I can give you encouragement and celebrate with you when you cross each finish line. I plan to blog about this at least once a month and share personal insights, trials and tribulations. This isn’t a class, but it is an opportunity to give your dreams wings. And I think it’s going to be a lot of fun, too.

Second, a goal can be anything you want it to be. I look at goals as vehicles to get you where you want to be faster and with greater certainty. As I’ve shared before, my October and November running goals got me through what might otherwise have been really difficult months. I’ve often said that goals give your life purpose and meaning during turbulent times, and that definitely proved to be true right after my dad passed away.

In my opinion, the very best goals are about something that you really, really want—not something that you think you should want. So if the thought of setting a single goal (let alone 13!) has you a bit nervous…I hope you’ll reconsider. Goals really can be fun. To support this thought, remember that my theme word for 2013 is happy. Here’s something you can bet on:  All of the goals that I set in 2013 will be in support of making 2013 a happy year.

Happy Smash book
Third, I’m not going to figure out all of my goals in January. Instead, my plan for 13 in 13 is to introduce one new goal every month. The 13th goal (or perhaps the first goal) is a year-long goal:  to run 500 miles in 2013. Please know that all of my other goals will not be so big. In fact, my January goal is to read “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin. I thought this would be a terrific way to start off my year of happiness. I invite you to figure out your 13 in 2013 as the year unfolds, too. You can start with one…and then figure this out as you go along.

Fourth, I’m going to capture my 13 in 13 journey in a new (yellow!) SMASH book. Each year I choose a color for the year, one that goes along with my word. For example, the year my word was “grow” my color was green. Yellow felt like the perfect choice for 2013—the happy year.

13 goals 2013 challenge
I’m going to figure out exactly how I will use my SMASH book as I go along. But I know for sure that each goal will have a spot in the book where I will record the date the goal is set, progress reports, and victory photos.  So far, I’ve used the first couple of pages to record 101 dreams…for this year and future years. (Coming up with a really long list of dreams is a terrific way to pick your first goal, by the way.)

So that’s the plan! 13 in 13. I’m really excited to see where this takes me, and I’d love to see where it takes you, too. Want to join me? If so…just say “Yes, I’m in!” in the comments below. And then, come back and share your first goal or goals, as soon as you know where you want to start.

Feel free to join in anytime you feel inspired to do so. January 1 isn’t the only day of the year to set goals or resolutions—any day is a great day to begin creating the life you dream of. Here’s to 13 in 13!

Aby