Setting Intentions for Success: My 2019 Personal, Home, & Business Goals and Guiding Word of the Year

As another year dawns, it brings with it the invaluable opportunity for reflection and renewed purpose. Each January, I dedicate time to thoughtfully review the previous year’s journey, assessing the goals I had set and the outcomes achieved. This introspective process then naturally flows into crafting fresh aspirations for the new year. This practice, which has become a cherished annual tradition, first took root after my inaugural year of blogging in January 2010. I found deep inspiration from fellow bloggers who openly shared their personal and professional objectives, demonstrating what could be accomplished through a little intentional planning and consistent effort. You can explore all the goals I’ve shared over the years here, witnessing the evolution of my journey.

Before diving into the specifics of my 2019 aspirations, I must pause for a moment of celebration! Did you notice the date I mentioned earlier, January 2010? I actually launched An Oregon Cottage (AOC) in February of 2009. This means that 2019 marks my remarkable 10th anniversary of writing, sharing recipes, and navigating life’s adventures with all of you right here on this website! It’s genuinely hard to believe how quickly a decade has passed. Time truly flies when you’re passionate about what you do, and I’m incredibly grateful for every moment of this journey. Now, back to the crucial topic of goals and setting intentions for the year ahead.

My deepest hope in sharing my annual goals with you is to ignite a spark of inspiration within you. Whether it prompts you to set one, two, or even more goals for yourself in the coming year, I believe that this practice is transformative. I am firmly convinced that identifying and focusing on a few key areas is absolutely vital. It’s the difference between merely letting life happen *to* you – where you constantly react to daily demands and the endless to-do lists that consume so much of our time – and actively moving forward, intentionally shaping yourself into the person you aspire to be.

Consider the profound impact of intentionality: If I hadn’t made it a priority to carve out dedicated time for my family, I wouldn’t be able to be the best mother and wife I strive to be. Friendships, like gardens, require cultivation; if I don’t plan for them, they inevitably wither. Without a specific reading goal to motivate me, my precious extra moments often get siphoned off by endless social media scrolling or forgettable television shows. Neglecting my health, even for a short period, invariably leads to a decline in well-being. And in the realm of business, clear work goals have been absolutely instrumental in propelling this website forward. Without them, it’s all too easy to get caught up in the constant, reactive demands of the blogging world, losing sight of the bigger picture.

It’s crucial to understand that perfection is unequivocally NOT required in goal setting. Nor is meeting every single goal each year. In fact, our journey to fully fund our emergency savings account took us more than five years. We didn’t give up, nor did we feel like failures. We understood that any progress, no matter how small, was infinitely better than none at all. The key lies in persistence and a forward-looking mindset. If you can reflect on the past year and genuinely see progress, that, my friends, is a significant win.

Sometimes progress might manifest in an area you didn’t even foresee – such is the unpredictable nature of life. But the overarching objective is always to move forward, to grow, and to evolve. This is why I transparently share both my successes and my failures. My aim is to demonstrate that setting a few realistic, yet challenging, goals is not only a good thing but an empowering one. It’s about embracing the journey of continuous improvement, celebrating small victories, and learning from every setback.

My Practical Approach to Goal Setting

When it comes to structuring my goals, I typically aim for 3-5 specific objectives within each of three core areas: Personal, Home/Financial, and Business. These annual goals are not conjured out of thin air; they are strategically derived from our broader, “big picture” 5-year goals. These larger, more general aspirations encompass significant life milestones we envision, such as increased travel, substantial home progress, nurturing key relationships, and robust retirement planning, among others.

After a thorough period of reflection and conceptualization, I meticulously document my goals in my beloved Flexible Planner. The very next step, and arguably the most critical for implementation, is to immediately utilize the Goal Action Steps section within the planner. Here, I break down each major goal into 3-5 smaller, actionable steps that I can realistically tackle during the first quarter of the year. This initial breakdown transforms daunting goals into manageable tasks. From there, I can further distribute these steps across individual months and then weeks, continually breaking down the goal as necessary until each component is a clear, achievable action. This systematic approach ensures that goals don’t just remain abstract ideas but are translated into concrete daily and weekly activities.

Whatever planning system you choose to adopt, the fundamental key to sustained success is to write your goals down where they are visible and to review them regularly—ideally every three months or so. This consistent review is paramount to preventing that initial surge of January excitement and motivation from fading away by month four, or even sooner! It serves as a periodic check-in, keeping your aspirations at the forefront of your mind and allowing you to adjust course as life inevitably unfolds.

2019 Goals & 2018 Recap: A Look Back and Forward

Recap of 2018’s Goals and Their Outcomes:

Personal Growth:

1. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Continue regular workouts and healthy eating, specifically adding more vegetables (1/2 to 3/4 of meal) to lunch and dinner. RESULTS: I feel genuinely positive about the progress made here. A significant breakthrough came with learning to ferment vegetables and incorporating them daily. Dinners consistently featured two vegetables, and lunches often consisted of nutritious leftovers or fresh salads. While not explicitly stated, a major personal focus was to lose the 10 pounds that had slowly accumulated after turning 50. I’m thrilled to report that Intermittent Fasting proved to be the strategy that finally yielded results for me (listen to this podcast for a deeper dive into my experience). I plan to share more extensively on this topic in future posts, detailing my journey and practical tips.
2. Read 50 Books: Aim to repeat my previous year’s reading accomplishment. RESULTS: This goal was not just met but spectacularly surpassed! I devoured an astonishing 85 books this year. This significant achievement clearly indicates it’s time to set an even more ambitious reading goal for the future, don’t you agree?
3. Join a Church Home Group: Establish community in our new house area. RESULTS: The outcome here was a bit mixed, presenting an unexpected turn. There wasn’t an existing group in our immediate vicinity, which led to my husband and me stepping up to become the leaders of a new group. So far, we have one other dedicated person, and we are hopeful that over the next few months, we will grow and begin meeting on a regular, consistent basis, fostering new connections and spiritual growth.

Home & Financial Stewardship:

1. Farmhouse Remodel – First Phases: This included foundation work, siding, a new front door, and the master bump-out. RESULTS: Upon review, I was pleasantly surprised to realize that we actually either completed or significantly started all of these ambitious phases in 2018! This is despite my initial feeling that progress was slow and we were constantly behind schedule. The foundation work is fully done, the old siding has been meticulously restored with moldings reinstalled, the new front door is in place, and a substantial amount of the framing and roofing for the master extension is complete. This serves as a powerful reminder to celebrate progress, even when it feels incremental.
2. Rent Second Home by End of 2018: Our plan was to live in it for the first half of the year, then rent it to help fund the farmhouse remodel. RESULTS: Alas, this goal was not met. We are nowhere near ready to move into the second home, and the prospect of renting the home we are currently living in, which is quite close to the farmhouse, has become rather uncertain. We are now actively exploring alternative strategies, such as utilizing platforms like Airbnb, to generate income from the property.
3. Retirement Planning with a Financial Advisor: RESULTS: MET! This was a goal that languished on my list for two years, but 2018 was the year we finally made it happen. We successfully found and met with a financial planner who has provided invaluable guidance, even with our comparatively minuscule savings. I cannot recommend meeting with a professional planner highly enough; their expertise can truly illuminate pathways to financial security regardless of your current situation.

Business Development:

1. Grow Affiliate Income & Create Products: A major focus was on developing new offerings, with an expectation to launch something I’d been developing for years within the month. RESULTS: Met! This was a hugely successful area. I proudly launched The Flexible Planner and the Vegetable Gardening the Easy Way eBook into the world. Additionally, I had the pleasure of sharing several wonderful Ultimate Bundles with my audience, further diversifying income streams.
2. Hire a Social Media Specialist: RESULTS: MET! I initially hired someone to assist with Facebook management for a period. However, after evaluating its effectiveness, I decided to strategically shift my focus to Pinterest, bringing on a new Virtual Assistant (VA) who specializes specifically in Pinterest strategy. This focused approach has significantly lightened my workload and is already showing promising results in traffic generation.
3. Increase Newsletter Subscribers: RESULTS: This goal was unfortunately not met. While I maintain a valuable email list, I undertook a necessary “cleaning” process to improve open rates by removing inactive subscribers. This resulted in an actual net loss of subscribers for the year. However, I remain committed to growing this vital community and will be focusing on new strategies for expansion.
4. Regular FB Lives & Instagram Stories: My “scary” goal was to engage more frequently with video content, hoping the new property would inspire regular “befores, in-progresses, and afters.” RESULTS: Mixed. While not “regular” as initially hoped, I did push myself out of my comfort zone, creating more Instagram Stories and longer-form videos which I uploaded to my YouTube channel. This area still presents an exciting challenge, and I am committed to improving consistency and comfort with video in the future.
5. Attend 2 Conferences: Another “scary” goal, both scheduled for the first half of the year. RESULTS: MET! While one conference proved less profitable than anticipated, the other was incredibly worthwhile, providing valuable insights and networking opportunities. As a bonus, it allowed us to explore Austin and Waco together, blending business with a bit of personal adventure.
6. Join a Mastermind Group for Business Accountability: This was actively in the works and a source of great excitement. RESULTS: MET! Our mastermind group met consistently for the first six months of the year. This provided invaluable accountability, fostering a sense of shared purpose and offering a platform for exchanging critical business insights. Beyond that, I’ve maintained monthly meetings with a close blogging friend for more focused, specific accountability, which has been incredibly beneficial for staying on track.

My Vision for 2019: Goals & the Guiding Word of the Year

As I look ahead, these are the areas I’m committed to nurturing and developing throughout 2019:

Personal Well-being & Development:

1. Sustain Healthy Weight with Intermittent Fasting (16:8): This isn’t just about weight loss anymore but about maintaining a healthy baseline and energy levels. I believe this must remain a consistent goal each year, irrespective of my current weight, as it forms the foundation for overall wellness.
2. Prioritize Daily Movement: My aim is to incorporate physical activity every single day. This includes continuing my successful routine of Barre at-home videos 3 times a week (a personal record of consistency for over two years now!). I’ll also be adding walking, gardening, or DIY projects 4 times a week. Furthermore, I plan to integrate the Pomodoro Technique timer into my computer workflow, scheduling work in focused 60-90 minute blocks before intentionally taking a break to move and stretch.
3. Expand My Reading Horizons: Building on last year’s success, my new target is to read or listen to 80 books, continuing to broaden my knowledge and perspective.
4. Cultivate Deeper Relationships: Intentional connection is key. I aim to build relationships by connecting with friends in person twice a month and actively participating in our church home group once a week, fostering meaningful community.

Home Progress & Financial Stability:

1. Accelerate Farmhouse Remodel: This year’s focus includes several significant milestones: finishing the master extension, installing new flooring on the main level, completing the porch roof, renovating the living and dining rooms, transforming the kitchen, fully fencing and making the vegetable garden usable, and beginning the creation of the sunken flower garden.
2. Maximize Retirement Contributions: A crucial financial goal is to fully max out our retirement funds, ensuring long-term financial security.
3. Optimize Tax Planning: This involves finding a new Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and establishing a more efficient and beneficial plan for our taxes.
4. Strategic Future Home Planning: We’re exploring the possibility of moving by the end of the year, and a significant part of this plan involves researching and potentially settling on a manufactured home solution, which could offer flexibility and efficiency.

Business Growth & Engagement:

1. Expand AOC Products: My focus will be on promoting existing products like The Flexible Planner, while also developing and introducing 1-2 new, valuable offerings to my audience.
2. Increase Newsletter Subscribers: Despite last year’s list cleaning, growing our newsletter community remains a top priority for direct engagement.
3. Strategic Pinterest Growth: I will maintain a sharp focus on Pinterest, leveraging its power to significantly increase traffic to the website from this crucial platform.
4. Continuous SEO Optimization: An ongoing effort will be to systematically review and optimize older recipes and articles for search engines, improving their discoverability and reach.
5. Enhanced Video & Social Media Engagement: I’m committed to producing regular videos and increasing my presence through more social media lives, connecting with you in dynamic, engaging ways.

My 2019 Word of the Year: Steadfast

Each year, I ponder whether a “word of the year” will present itself, and invariably, one does – often at the eleventh hour. As a Christian, I humbly believe these guiding words are divinely inspired. For several months, I had been casually contemplating possibilities. Then, during our church service on December 30th, the speaker delivered a message that resonated deeply, and a single word leaped out at me with absolute clarity. I knew instantly it was my word for the year:

Steadfast

This word, “Steadfast,” feels like a natural and powerful progression from my previous words: 2017’s “Hope” and 2018’s “Trust.” My aspiration is to embody steadfastness in every facet of my life: in my relationship with God, in my unwavering commitment to my family, and in my dedication to my professional endeavors and business. When I delved into the dictionary definition, the accompanying synonyms perfectly articulate the qualities I aim to cultivate and be recognized for:

Dependable, Reliable, Consistent, and especially: Unwavering & Faithful.

As I review the goals I’ve set for 2019, the concept of being unwavering becomes a powerful force. It will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in transforming these aspirations into reality. To be steadfast means to dependably produce useful and engaging content for you, my readers; to reliably meet my deadlines and commitments; and, crucially, to consistently prioritize my relationships over the demands of my business. It’s about maintaining a firm and resolute purpose, especially in the face of challenges or distractions.

Echoing my practice from previous years, I will embark on a year-long Biblical word study of “Steadfast.” This deep dive into scripture has profoundly enriched the meaning of my yearly word, grounding it in timeless wisdom. I will look up a new verse daily or weekly, diligently journaling my reflections and insights, allowing its principles to permeate my thoughts and actions.

So, there you have it, friends – another year of intentions, another fresh start on our collective journey towards living simpler, more homemade, and deeply fulfilling lives! From the bottom of my heart, I extend my sincerest gratitude for joining me on this path. Your presence, encouragement, and engagement mean the world to me, and I genuinely appreciate each and every one of you!

Please never hesitate to leave a comment below or send me an email with your thoughts, questions, or suggestions – I absolutely cherish hearing from you and value your insights. If you’re looking for the quickest way to connect and get direct access to me, I encourage you to sign up for the newsletter below. Once you’re on the list, you can simply hit “reply” to any of my newsletters, and your message will land directly in my inbox whenever inspiration strikes!

For more inspiration and a deeper look into the evolution of my journey, you can revisit all my previous goals from 2010 onward here. May this year be one of profound growth and unwavering purpose for us all.