#13in13 Challenge - My 2013 Goals

Hello you!

What better way to start 2013 than with some new goals.

Rebecca who blogs at weightwars.co.uk has set up a 13 in 13 challenge, which I've agreed to take part in this year.

So what is the 13 in 13 challenge?

Rebecca describes the 13 in 13 as the ultimate challenge for 2013 but with the flexibility of you controlling what you get involved in and what you don't! You control this upcoming year, you have the power to change things, to improve, excel and have fun!

Here are the rules:

• Set yourself 13 challenges for 2013, they will have a theme each month for you to focus on.
• Each month, within your theme you will set a mini goal or two for just that month.
• The thirteenth challenge will work slightly differently and that will be explained when you sign up!
• You get to chose which months you participate or don't participate but if you take part in all 13 challenges you will be entered in to a prize draw.

If you could wake up tomorrow and have everything the way you wanted it to be what would it look like? Describe it to us.

In a perfect world I'd have a nice cottage, with a log fire, in the countryside surrounded by a nice garden. I'd be married to a wonderful wife and silent children who I adore and they feel safe and happy with me. I'd have cats, which are free to laze around the house and a dog, which I could take for long walks in the countryside each day. I would also like an old fashioned kitchen but with one exception - it must have an American fridge in it...you know, the huge ones with a water and ice machine. I love them! I'd like to be healthy, feel young physically and mentally and have a job I enjoy getting up for. 

Reading the above, it's not an impossible dream. It's definitely a dream that can be achieved through hard work and having that desire to get what I want. I know it's not easy and it will take time. I know I will face many obstacles and challenges along the way but I've proved in the past few years that I can overcome anything when I put my mind to it. If I want it bad enough. I know I can achieve it. 

Here are my 12 goals in 2013 as well as the 13th challenge aka The Big One.

Goal One: Be More Adventurous In The Kitchen

I love cooking but I'm not a very adventurous cook. I want to stop making the same old boring dishes and expand my knowledge in the kitchen. There are so many great recipes out there, I have no excuse anymore.

Goal Two: Save Money For A Holiday

I love to visit and explore new places. I find the whole experience exciting especially when it's somewhere I've never been before. After my holiday to Mexico, I am desperate to visit more countries, so my aim now is to save up every penny and put it towards an adventure!

Goal Three: Make My Own Lunch For Work

I don't even want to think how much money I have spent in the work's restaurant last year. The worst thing about it is that the food isn't even that great! By taking my own lunch into work, I will eat healthier food and I will save money too. Win-win!

Goal Four: Drink More Water

I love water, I just don't drink enough of it. I will defeat you in 2013! 

Goal Five: Run Tim Run

I'd like to take advantage of living next to a huge park by running in it more often. This will be tough because I am injury prone, especially my feet (kinda important when running!), but with the right training I hope to make this a regular thing. 

Goal Six: Focus More On My To Do List

It will be impossible to cross off everything on my to do list in 2013 but that doesn't stop me working my way through it at every opportunity.

Goal Seven: Go To Bed Earlier

Some days I wake up and look into the mirror and see giant suitcases under my eyes. I am dreadful at going to sleep early. In my head, it's wrong to go to bed before midnight because I'm not a child...I'm an adult! I need to remember that the more sleep I get, the younger I will look and feel.

Goal Eight: Raise Money For Charity

I give money to charity probably because it's easier to give money to charity than it is to earn money for charity. Yes I feel like I am contributing or 'doing my bit' but that feeling of pride soon disappears 5 minutes after the money has left my hand. Most of the time I've forgotten about it by the next day. I want to feel on top of the world knowing I've helped people.

Goal Nine: Take Up A New Sport.

I'm a huge football (soccer) fan. I watch it, play it, live it and breathe it. It's like a religion to me. As an Englishman, I also love my cricket, darts, rugby and boxing. Watching the London 2012 Olympics/Paralympics has really given me the appetite to take up a new sport. I'm not sure what yet but that's something I'm aiming to do in 2013.

Goal Ten: Make More Friends

I can be quite shy at times and I'm not very confident so I've always found it tough making new friends. Sometimes I click with certain people and I'm fine, other times I know I need to put more of an effort in. Hopefully that's something I can work on.

Goal Eleven: Random Acts of Kindness

The other day, after the awful school shooting in America, I read how people were doing random acts of kindness to complete strangers, which is amazing. This reminded me of the time I read the book 'Join Me' by Danny Wallace, where he creates a cult collective of people to perform 'Random Acts of Kindness' to people every Friday. I hope to do more of this because it really does make the world a better, more friendlier and happier place.

Goal Twelve: Attend More Live Events

Nothing beats watching something live whether it's a sporting event, a comedian, a theatre show or a musician. There is just something about watching it live that makes it special. I'm not sure what it is - maybe you can feel the excitement in the atmosphere or the opportunity to say "I was there" when everyone is talking about it. It's just something I love and want to do more in 2013.

Your last challenge is a big one. I want you to take yourself completely out of your comfort zone but keep in mind it must be still achievable. I want you to really do something amazing! A race? A challenge? Give up your car for a month? THINK BIG AND ACHIEVABLE!

The Big One: Climb Mount Snowdon

For quite a few years now I've repeatedly told myself that I want to climb to the summit of Mount Snowdon. It's not the biggest mountain in the world, it's not even the biggest mountain in the United Kingdom, but it would be a great personal achievement to reach the top of somewhere as beautiful as Mt. Snowdon.

I'm really looking forward to starting this challenge...actually what am I saying?! I've already started!!