I’ve heard it said that you should keep your goals private. The thinking is that 1.) you give yourself a sense of having already accomplished them just by telling them to someone and 2.) someone’s outside “energy” could throw it off. I don’t know about all that. I do think there is some validity to the first point. Regardless, I think goal setting is important (learning to set and pursue goals literally changed my life for a dramatic better, thank you Dr. Shafer) and I think sharing them publicly can create some accountability and perhaps inspire others. Also, this gives me one more opportunity to run through them and get them “on paper” again.
So, without further adieu, my 2025 goals:
Fitness / Health
75 Hard (as of this writing, I am on Day 7). This goal can encompass all goal categories. I have already seen a dramatic improvement in mental health.
Palo Duro Trail Run - 50 Mile. I have been chasing the 50 mile distance for too long. My family has been in Palo Duro for generations. I grew up out there. I was running out there before I knew trail running was even a thing. I owe it to myself and to the Canyon to throw down this 50 Mile.
As of this writing, I am also wanting to do Rocky Raccoon 100 in 2026. I am not including it in my goal setting for this year (for obvious reasons), but much, if not all of the work, will be done in this year, so it feels worth noting.
Reading
Read 24 books on wide ranging subjects, both fiction and non-fiction, one of which to include the Bible. Reading is great on so many levels; an additional perk I am looking for this year is to use my reading to improve my writing.
Writing
Writing is a new goal category to me. I have no specific goals other than to:
Post on Substack once a week for the full year,
“Free write” 250 words per day,
Maintain a journal of noteworthy events, with extra emphasis on adventure.
Writing is great on so many levels; an additional perk I am looking out of this is to improve my reading abilities.
Since this is fairly new to me, I suspect I will see these goals morph or focus over the course of the year.
Weather Permitting
This is a passion project I’ve been working (with much help from my friends) on for a few years (originally as The Bourbon Bookshelf). It includes an Instagram, Podcast, YouTube (new), Strava Club, this here Substack, and a website coming soon.
I have some quantitative goals, but I mostly just need to focus on shipping the work that will help to spread the word of the brand.
One thing I have lost sight of over the last few years is recognizing the work that needs to be done day in and day out to achieve the goals you set for yourself (part of the reason I am doing 75 Hard). So my ultimate goal for the year is to identify the daily habits necessary to achieve the above, and focus on doing them, day in and day out. There is a great, free, and simple app called HabitShare that has a great tool for tracking. You can even share habits with friends for added accountability.
How do you eat an elephant?
One bite at a damn time.