We’ve made it through our free trial period of 2024.

Our first 31 days of the year were free. We even get a bonus day in February.

Whether your year started on January 1 or “officially starts” on February 1, the end of every month is a good time to evaluate the previous 30-31 days.

Earlier this month, I shared my goals for 2024 as I felt that I had reached a point in my life where I could finally start enjoying things. Being happy and not feeling like I was Eeyore personified. If you made goals or resolutions this year, take a few minutes to check in and see your progress.

As I write this, January is not over, but I have read three books cover to cover - far and away the most I’ve read for pleasure in my life. It’s a shame that it took almost 42 years to discipline myself to read for pleasure.

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1. READ 20 PAGES EVERY NIGHT

My first goal for 2024 was to read 20 pages each night. On average, one chapter equates to roughly 20 pages, but what I noticed almost immediately was that I was reading more than 20 pages in a sitting. I read 40, 50, or 60 pages on a handful of nights. It wasn’t laborious or because “I had to” to check the box, but it was because I enjoyed it.

One caveat: I did not read every night. Through the first 27 days of January, I read a book on 24 of them. That’s a stellar Hall of Fame average if I do say so myself.

STATUS: OFF TO A GREAT START

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2-3. JOURNALING AND FINALLY FINISHING THAT SECOND BOOK

Goals 2 and 3 of 2024 were writing-focused. I wanted to be more intentional by journaling twice per week and finally finishing that second book I’ve been talking about for the last five years.

This blog post is the most I’ve written this year, so that tells you all you need to know about these two goals.

However, when I thought more about my weekly journaling, I have journaled every day during the school year for the past five years. Both in written and digital form. The idioms and dadvice I type with my #DadLunchNotes posts on Instagram must count for journalism too, right?

Now, about that book….

STATUS: ONE OUT OF TWO AIN’T BAD

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4. GET MY ACCREDITATION IN PUBLIC RELATIONS IN 2024

January is almost over and the first step to getting my APR is almost done. Payment and paperwork have been submitted. Now it’s a matter of waiting for that approval email so my one-year clock can begin.

I have my study documents and texts printed. I am filling out additional paperwork for my panel presentation so that I can have everything pre-filled to get this second chance at an APR done as quickly as possible this year.

STATUS: IN PROGRESS

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Where are you in your goal-setting journey? Are you still marching toward your goals or have you already thrown in the towel? I hope you haven’t given up. You can always edit your goals or your progress markers as you go. There’s nothing wrong with making things more achievable in order to make yourself feel like you are accomplishing something.