Goal setting is usually an annual exercise, as people set their goals at the start of every new year. These goals are then pursued throughout the year. Some people are lucky enough to achieve all their goals, while others keep struggling with their goals, due to one reason or the other.

I am the sort of person who doesn’t care much about my personal goals. In fact, I had never fixed any personal goals in life thus far. And this hasn’t made any big difference at all, or so it seems to me. However, at the dawn of the first day of this year, I chanced upon many blog posts on WordPress Reader talking about the new year’s goals. This has prompted me to make my own goals for the year 2023, and write this post. Still, I kept procrastinating for the whole week. Finally, after much delay and deliberation, I have been able to finalize my goals for the year 2023. Let’s have a look at these goals.

1. Devote More Time To Blogging

I made a WordPress blog in the last week of June 2022 and started blogging in July. Previously, I had a blog on the Bloggers but could not continue with that blog of mine owing to some personal reasons. But blogging on WP is entirely an enriching experience. 

So, I have decided to take my blog seriously for the very first time. That is why I have purchased my own domain SHAHBLOG1.COM and WP web hosting service. Personal blogging is such a fulfilling experience to share your feelings, thoughts, and emotions with like-minded people. It gives you an opportunity to make new friends and exchange views with them. The WordPress community is simply the best bloggers’ community and I am proud of being a part of this wonderful community.

My first goal, therefore, is to devote more time to blogging. Though I have definite time constraints due to my full-time banking job, I’ve decided to write at regular intervals. My job sucks me. Blogging makes me happy by giving me a sense of fulfillment and gratification.

2. Make A Crucial Decision About My Professional Career

My second goal pertains to my professional career, which spans over two decades. I started my banking career in March 2002, and have already spent 20 odd years in this field. Overall, my career has been very promising and has given me so much in monetary terms. Yet, it has left me mentally drained and physically exhausted.

At the moment, I have some vague plans regarding my career, as there are so many things on my mind. However, I am weighing different options, by taking all the ifs and buts into account. I am evaluating the pros and cons of my likely decision. But I am determined to reach some definite decision in the next few months. May Almighty guide me in making the right decision! Ameen

3. Manage Time For Content Writing As A Freelancer

Though I have already so much on my plate, I am seriously thinking about doing some part-time content writing as well. This idea has been on my mind for quite some time now. Even, I took a brief content writing course a few months back.

Had I been able to manage time, I would definitely have landed in the freelancing field till now. The idea of working from home, at your own will and volition, has always been very close to my heart. I have spent years doing 9-to-5 office drudgery. Hence, freelance work always fascinates me. 

My third goal for the year 2023 is therefore to manage time for doing some freelance content writing. I hope that I will succeed in sparing time for this goal as well.

4. More Focus On Physical Fitness And Weight Control

During the past year, I had become increasingly sedentary in life with no physical activity. This was because of my prolonged office timings. Even my morning walks became irregular. And with the onset of winter in November, I gave up the morning walk altogether.  All this has resulted in my gaining some weight, particularly the belly weight.

Now, I have made up my mind to change this sedentary lifestyle. I have decided to resume my morning walks in a few weeks when the weather will take a somewhat pleasant turn. In the meantime, I will be walking/running on my treadmill at home. My treadmill has long been in disuse because I usually like outdoor walks.

As for this goal, I’ve taken it upon myself to reduce my weight up to 7-10 KG in 2023. This is absolutely achievable once I become regular in my morning walks, and bring changes in my inactive lifestyle.

5. Reading More Books

My fifth and final goal for the year 2023 is to devote more time to reading books. To me, nothing is more cathartic and gratifying than reading books. Last year, I could not manage to read many books due to different reasons, including extended office sittings. I could finish reading two books only. In the current year, I don’t want a repeat of this thing again.

Now, I plan to read more books, right from the start of the year. To achieve this goal, I have already placed an order with an online bookstore for the delivery of 14 books. These books belong to different genres, including fiction, non-fiction, self-help, personal success, relationships, personal finance, business, etc.

The books I have ordered include

1. Atomic Habits 
2. The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck
3. The 5 AM Club
4. The 5 Second Rule
5. The Power of Habit
6. The 80/20 Principle
7. The Architect’s Apprentice
8. Crime and Punishment
9. Eleven Minutes
10. The Great Gatsby
11. The Last Thing He Told Me
12. The Picture of Dorian Gray
13. To Kill a Mockingbird
14. Things Fall Apart

Final Words

The above are my personal goals for the new year, and I hope to achieve these goals before the curtains are drawn on the year 2023. To achieve these goals, I need to re-program my life a little bit. I need to manage time for my blog and content writing, and change my lifestyle to become physically more active. I also need to re-evaluate my professional career and take an important decision about my future. Finally, I must devote more time to reading a variety of books for my personal fulfillment and enlightenment.

I have trust in Almighty Allah and hope that He will guide me in the right direction and will not let me go astray. His blessings will always be with me, Insha Allah!

Thank You So Much For Reading. Stay blessed You All!