After being gone for a week and a half, it’s delightful to be back home. I arrived to find a frost-covered world, a house lit up by lights, a stack of Christmas cards, and the feeling that Christmas, and then 2017, really is right around the corner.

This morning I was delighted to slip back into my morning routine of cuddling on the couch in my office with a Christmas-scented candle flickering, wrapped in a cozy blanket, surrounded by a hot drink, Bible, journal, box of colorful pens, and fluffy bunnies. I was amused to see how much Scribbles and Whimsy grew while I was gone. Thanks to my family members who took care of them when I was gone they’re still friendly and curious, which makes me quite happy.

Yesterday Aubrey, who’s been my goal partner for several years, called to ask me how I was doing with coming up with goals for 2017. I might have freaked out a tad bit when she reminded me of how close the end of the year was, and then admitted I hadn’t even begun thinking about goals yet.

For 2016, per some advice I received, I forwent having year-long goals, although I did have monthly, weekly, and at times daily, goals to work on. I’m currently planning, and looking forward to, once again having year-long goals for 2017. So, this morning when I was prayer journaling I went ahead and jotted down 20 or so ideas of things I’m hoping to accomplish during the 365 days that make up this next year. I’m glad I have ten more days of 2016 so I can think and pray and brainstorm through what I want to focus on next year.

When planning goals I’ve found it’s helpful to break goals down into multiple categories, most often the goals fall into one of these six categories:

1. Physical
2. Mental
3. Spiritual
4. Financial
5. Career/Business
6. Relationships

This helps me to remain balanced, and although I generally don’t have an equal amount of goals in each category, I try and focus at least somewhat on each of them. For instance, here are goals I’ve had in the past:

1. Physical – Take a walk 15 times a month
2. Mental – Read and Review 4 nonfiction books each month
3. Spiritual – Have focused devotions for at least 30 minutes each morning where I prayer journal and study the Bible
4. Financial – Track all the money I spend
5. Career/Business – Take part in NaNoWriMo and write the first Echoes book
6. Relationships – Go to Wednesday night church every week I’m home & become involved with my group

During these next two weeks I’m looking forward to reviewing 2016, and praying, thinking, and working on coming up with my goals for 2017. If y’all have any advice or ideas regarding goals, I’d be delighted to hear from you!

Are y’all planning goals for 2017? If so, how do you go about doing that? I’m quite interested in hearing how different people set and work toward their goals.