Instead of a list of resolutions I'll never stick to and will beat myself up over for years to come, I decided to put my goals and aspirations for this new year down on a to-do list of sorts. I'm constantly making lists and feel great accomplishment when I get to cross something off my list, so a list seems the most appropriate for me to work from.
With that said, here's my list:
1. Finish a book. Any book, really. I've started two recently and have yet to finish them. Heck, I started my last book (no less than) 7 years ago and haven't finished that one yet either. I would just like to make reading more a priority in 2011.
2. Get healthier. Notice I didn't say "Lose 50 lbs" (which is ultimately what I probably need to do to be healthy) but I know a goal like that is overwhelming and completely undoable (for me!). So, instead, I will say "get healthier" and take baby steps. Perhaps I'll start with "fit into my pre-Alex size pants" as a starting point...10 lbs should accomplish that. Then I can step it up and aim for fitting back into my pre-Nate size. And so on, and so forth. My first step is to focus on drinking water whenever I get the urge to eat. I need to drink more water anyway and at least I'll be doing something instead of focusing on my incessant urge to shovel food in my mouth.
3. Simplify. This is pretty broad and could easily become one of those "too grand to know where to start" type goals. But in an effort to not let it overwhelm me, I'll simplify by saying I aim to take portions of my life that feel cluttered and overwhelming and make them easier. Whether it be taking the 7 email accounts that I have a hard time keeping up on and getting rid of a few (most) of them or just digitally uploading all my CDs to iTunes so I can purge myself of their clutter. I'd like to simplify my friends list on Facebook and reprioritize how I spend my time online. I'd like to downsize my closet and limit the clutter in my drawers. There's so much stuff in there I rarely use or need. What would feel better than empty space on my shelves and in my closets and more time to spend with the ones I love and do the things that feed my soul? *Sigh*.
4. Be recognized somehow for my photography. Not sure how to do this one yet, but somehow, someway, I'd like to get props of some sort for my photography. This seems a little gratuitous and self-promoting to say, but it would mean I was taking a step forward in realizing a dream. 2010 proved to be a good year for progress in the photography realm, between being asked to be staff photographer at Hillside's Believe in Kids Golf Tournament, doing "professional" maternity photos for my friend, Shelby, and being "hired" to take photos for Shelby's sister's bridal shower and again for my parents, I made quite a few positive strides towards my goal of being a "real" photographer someday. So, whether it be a positive mention in a reputable publication, a "win" for an I ♥ Faces photo challenge, or (my dream!) a feature on Kodak's Picture of the Day. I'd be honored if someone recognized my photography in one of these spotlights. Until then I will keep honing my craft and working on my skills and "eye".
5. Be nicer to myself, my family and others. As I said here, I pledge to be nicer in general. More specifically, I hope to be nicer to myself. Less critical with more movement made towards this "loving thyself" thing people often talk about. Even closer to home, however, is my family. I've not always been pleasant to my loved ones of late. My husband takes the abuse worse than anyone and as he said today "I'm used to it, I've been dealing with it for 10 years". Boo. That's (obviously) not fair to him. He deserves better and in return, I may perhaps get the improvements in his actions/behaviors that I have been longing for. We shall see. Either way, I hope to yell less, hug more (if that's even possible!) and listen. Just listen - I could learn a lot by actually hearing people.
Obviously there are a hundred smaller things I'd like to "fit in" in the next year...small tasks I'd like to stop talking about and finally finish, projects I'd like to start, movies I'd like to see, places I'd like to visit, photos I'd like to take. But one of my first goals for 2011 will be to finally finish (and POST!) my 101 in 1001 project. I only started talking about this more than a year ago...it's about time I followed through. I decided earlier today that I've been overthinking it...thinking all my goals had to be big, life altering achievements. Really, it will just be a list of things I'd otherwise put off and eventually want to check off my list so I'm that much more settled and sure of my footing in this world. So stay tuned for that to finally become a reality. I promise not to just mention it and forget about - I vow to follow through this time.
Showing posts with label Resolutions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Resolutions. Show all posts
Monday, January 3, 2011
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Resolution Mumbo Jumbo
I am not exactly what you would call a "stick-to-it" type. When the going gets tough, I bail. I hate that about myself, but it's mostly true. That's why this resolution thing is hairy for me. I always start out with strong convictions, good intentions, and smart ideas but it all goes off track very easily.
I'm a deadline-driven girl. I need due dates and structured time lines to get stuff accomplished. I'm a procrastinator in every sense of the word. If there is a way to put something off, I will find it. If there is something I can do BEFORE having to do that which I really need to do, I will do it. But deadlines usually kick me into gear. At the very last minute, of course. For some reason, the threat of someone being mad at me or failing to meet a deadline weighs heavily on my mind and motivates me to complete things. And even though I might procrastinate until the 11th hour, I always rally and come through in the bitter end.
Anyway, with that said, resolutions are sticky for me. I have many "self-improvement projects" I'm constantly undergoing. Many things on my to-do list I'd like to actually accomplish. But for some reason having the whole year to accomplish them in doesn't sound deadline-y enough. And I think my expectations *gasp* for realistic goals may be a bit high.
That's why this year I'm tossing aside the lofty "I want to be skinny by 2011" and "I vow to cook like Julia Childs, clean like Mr. Clean, and decorate like Martha Stewart" type goals. I'm setting aside the vague ambitions to "be happy" or "be a better Mother" and I'm going for something more attainable. Don't get me wrong, there's definitely room for improvement there and I could certainly use a reminder to tweak my perspective on things from time to time, but as for hard and fast resolutions, I'm simplifying a little this year.
Here goes:
I want to lose 15 lbs before my cousin's wedding (in Arizona!) in April. I figure that's just shy of 16 weeks away, so a pound a week is a realistic goal. Now, in good goal-setting technique, I've also thought about how I will do this. Being realistic, I know I have neither the time, nor the willpower to go back on Weight Watchers full-force at the moment, but I do intend on eating better, with the WW theories in mind. Loosely "counting" my points, paying attention to the fiber intake, limiting calories and fat...and exercising AT LEAST 3 times a week. That's not ALL the weight I hope to lose in 2010, but I figured I'd start small - with a DEADLINE of sorts to work towards. Losing fifteen pounds would get me back to pre-Alex weight and that would be better than where I'm at now! After I reach that goal I'll work towards my next goal or losing another 20 to get back to my pre-Nate weight...and so on and so forth. Baby steps! :)
Next, I want to complete my 101 in 1001 list and get started on that project. For a refresher on that goal of mine, read here.
Lastly, I want to get my house organized and de-cluttered. The bigger goal here is to get our house on the market and get it SOLD this year. It's time to move out of the City and to somewhere bigger and better. Nathaniel starts school in just over a year and a half and I do NOT want him starting in City schools. Plus, this 900-something square foot house is closing in on us as the boys get older and their stuff gets bigger! It's time. I am learning to part with things I realistically don't need and have agreed to do so more simply (trip to Salvation Army versus trying to Craigslist or Freecycle it all which is VERY time consuming). Now I just need to find the TIME to tackle my piles. Again, small doses. Chip away, layer by layer.
So, while I will continue working on those self-improvement projects (work on my patience and perspective, be a better mother, etc.) and that to-do list (clean the basement, purge Nate's toys, go through the kids' clothes, etc.)...I will focus my resolution effort for 2010 towards the three goals above. As the year progresses, I will keep you up to date on my progress. I hope you all will hold me accountable to some degree! Happy 2010 to you all! Thanks for following me on this blogging journey in 2009 and I hope you all have a prosperous new year! May you all accomplish that which YOU set out to take on!
I'm a deadline-driven girl. I need due dates and structured time lines to get stuff accomplished. I'm a procrastinator in every sense of the word. If there is a way to put something off, I will find it. If there is something I can do BEFORE having to do that which I really need to do, I will do it. But deadlines usually kick me into gear. At the very last minute, of course. For some reason, the threat of someone being mad at me or failing to meet a deadline weighs heavily on my mind and motivates me to complete things. And even though I might procrastinate until the 11th hour, I always rally and come through in the bitter end.
Anyway, with that said, resolutions are sticky for me. I have many "self-improvement projects" I'm constantly undergoing. Many things on my to-do list I'd like to actually accomplish. But for some reason having the whole year to accomplish them in doesn't sound deadline-y enough. And I think my expectations *gasp* for realistic goals may be a bit high.
That's why this year I'm tossing aside the lofty "I want to be skinny by 2011" and "I vow to cook like Julia Childs, clean like Mr. Clean, and decorate like Martha Stewart" type goals. I'm setting aside the vague ambitions to "be happy" or "be a better Mother" and I'm going for something more attainable. Don't get me wrong, there's definitely room for improvement there and I could certainly use a reminder to tweak my perspective on things from time to time, but as for hard and fast resolutions, I'm simplifying a little this year.
Here goes:
I want to lose 15 lbs before my cousin's wedding (in Arizona!) in April. I figure that's just shy of 16 weeks away, so a pound a week is a realistic goal. Now, in good goal-setting technique, I've also thought about how I will do this. Being realistic, I know I have neither the time, nor the willpower to go back on Weight Watchers full-force at the moment, but I do intend on eating better, with the WW theories in mind. Loosely "counting" my points, paying attention to the fiber intake, limiting calories and fat...and exercising AT LEAST 3 times a week. That's not ALL the weight I hope to lose in 2010, but I figured I'd start small - with a DEADLINE of sorts to work towards. Losing fifteen pounds would get me back to pre-Alex weight and that would be better than where I'm at now! After I reach that goal I'll work towards my next goal or losing another 20 to get back to my pre-Nate weight...and so on and so forth. Baby steps! :)
Next, I want to complete my 101 in 1001 list and get started on that project. For a refresher on that goal of mine, read here.
Lastly, I want to get my house organized and de-cluttered. The bigger goal here is to get our house on the market and get it SOLD this year. It's time to move out of the City and to somewhere bigger and better. Nathaniel starts school in just over a year and a half and I do NOT want him starting in City schools. Plus, this 900-something square foot house is closing in on us as the boys get older and their stuff gets bigger! It's time. I am learning to part with things I realistically don't need and have agreed to do so more simply (trip to Salvation Army versus trying to Craigslist or Freecycle it all which is VERY time consuming). Now I just need to find the TIME to tackle my piles. Again, small doses. Chip away, layer by layer.
So, while I will continue working on those self-improvement projects (work on my patience and perspective, be a better mother, etc.) and that to-do list (clean the basement, purge Nate's toys, go through the kids' clothes, etc.)...I will focus my resolution effort for 2010 towards the three goals above. As the year progresses, I will keep you up to date on my progress. I hope you all will hold me accountable to some degree! Happy 2010 to you all! Thanks for following me on this blogging journey in 2009 and I hope you all have a prosperous new year! May you all accomplish that which YOU set out to take on!
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