As we approach the end of another rollercoaster year, I have decided to dedicate a blog post to 2018 as it was for me. In 2016, I began putting my goals into writing with the hopes of holding myself more accountable for my success. At the end of each year, I review my goal list and check off the goals that were achieved. For the goals that weren't achieved, I evaluate the different factors that may have prevented me from achieving that particular goal. Also, I make a list of all positive experiences that I have encountered throughout that year. Each year comes with its unique set of ups and downs and 2018 is no different. This year's experiences have made me more self-aware and has provided clarity for what is to come in my near future.
As I went into this year, I had a list of goals that were broken down into the following categories: financial goals, academic goals, personal goals, and goals as an RA. Some examples of the goals I set for myself include: maintaining a 3.00 GPA, saving 50% of each pay check, detaching from social media, and being selfless. When a goal of mine is not achieved I don't view it as a negative aspect, but focus myself on the reasons this goal was not achieved. Did I have significant resources to fulfill this goal? Was I not committed enough? Was it something that I truly wanted/ needed for myself? Was I prepared mentally to take on a goal of this magnitude? These are all questions that allow me to better understand where my lack of completion came into play and allows me to alter this goal into one that is more achievable. For 2019, I will establish the same template for goal setting because that is what works for me. When reflecting on 2018 the list of positive experiences seems to be overwhelming. The most obvious positive experience was my ability to graduate from The Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor's of Science in Biology and a minor in Psychology. Graduating from college has been one of the most humbling and bittersweet moments of this year. A college degree doesn't equate to extreme wealth and immediate success. A college degree doesn't equate to booming happiness. This experience has been bittersweet because I have spent the past several months doing things that I enjoy which includes working with children. Stepping away from my field of study may have been the best decision I made this past year because I have been able to spend time with loved ones, prepare for graduate school applications, and fulfill one of my many purposes in life. One of the most rewarding positive experiences from 2018 was the creation of my blog. I have always been successful at expressing my thoughts throughout text, but not as successful when verbally expressing myself. My blog has become an outlet to express my thoughts on serious issues while connecting with other bloggers. I attempted to live the life that I hoped to live. I spent money to see my favorite artists live (e.g. Beyonce/ Jay- Z, Sam Smith, and H.E.R). I established many meaningful and supportive relationships with coworkers and college friends. The highlight of these relationships happens to be the strong bond I have built with my cousin. I spend most of my time reflecting on positive scenarios and experiences because they are the moments that I remember most and are the moments that have made my year so amazing. The good seems to always outweigh the bad. I briefly mentioned that 2018 has made me more self-aware and has provided clarity for what is to come in my near future. For some reason, this year made me more aware of the many purposes I have in life. This year has allowed me to definitively visualize what it is I hope to do in life and what I must do to achieve my future success. 2018 has forced me to interact with diverse groups of people through my experiences as a Resident Assistant, Physical Therapy Volunteer, Teaching Assistant, Student, and Camp Specialist. I have pinpointed where I would like to see myself 5 years from now and how I hope to achieve meaningfulness in my life. I am a strong supporter of putting your goals into writing and following up with those goals on a consistent basis. It's important to know where you are in the process, what is going well, and what could be going better. It is also important to acknowledge the positive experiences that are present in your life. These positive experiences can serve as motivating forces even on days when the negative forces seem to be winning. As the new year approaches, I will be writing a new set of goals and hope to share those goals with you all. I also hope to persuade you all on the importance of setting goals and what benefits it has. - The Jay-Word
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