Lacking in ambition was never on my report card, and not much has changed in that regard. You will probably be unsurprised to hear that I have big, big dreams for 2014, which I’m very excited about… Although to be honest, most of them are in the business arena.

It all begs the question: Whatever happened to personal goals?

You see, it’s somewhat expected these days that our goals revolve around our careers: making more money, carving out a niche for yourself or ascending to the top of the corporate ladder are all fairly par for the course.

But what about goals that stretch us on a personal level? Those of you who run your own businesses know just how challenging that can be on a day-to-day basis, but what about doing something that’s just for you in 2014?

I’ve figured out my personal goal. It came to me in a flash of inspiration, and I found it silly, scary, selfish and spectacular… All at the same time.

In 2014, I want to go on a surf and yoga retreat.

I can’t stop thinking about it.

I want to be surrounded by other women for a week, and replace talk of timetables with easy conversation about catching waves. I hunger to paddle about in crystal-clear blue water, do yoga in the sand, stretch out and get a tan that didn’t come from a bottle.

I wish to be physically challenged, and pushed to try things that seem impossible. I want to surprise and delight myself by achieving feats of strength and coordination.

I’m yearning to go to Costa Rica, Hawaii, Mexico, or Bali — somewhere I’ve never seen — and completely and fully immerse myself in an activity that frightens me and thrills me all at once. I crave salt on my skin; I want to close my eyes and hear the ocean.

It sounds like heaven.

Seth Godin said, “If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try.” I think that’s a damn good motto to see us through the year!

Is there something you want to do in 2014 that makes you really, really nervous? Share it with us! It might make it seem less scary, and it will definitely help you make it more real!

Dreamin’ of the sea,

Illustrations by Emily Hamilton. Buy her prints!