New Year's Goals

[Meticulous madness]

Well...it's a whole brand-spanking new year, I'm sure there is a lot of goal-setting going on (and putting those goals into action).

So, Inquiring Minds would like to know what every one's New Year's goals are (as well as time-lines, reward systems, programs, etc.).

DO TELL!

[5ft Diva]

Oooh, great question - and great topic! I can't wait to hear everyone's responses.

First, a thought from a book I read during the Christmas break that I think relates to your question, MM. I quote from the book:

"...We often hear, usually in association with sports, that "practice makes perfect."

No, it doesn't.

It is far more accurate that "practice makes permanent." What you practice over and over again gets ingrained as a pattern..."

I'm sure I'm not the first to stumble on this idea, but this resonated w/ me when I read it - it was like this giant light bulb of understanding just turned on all of a sudden and I could understand myself so much better. It helped me to understand why I quit my goals before I've really even begun. I have found that I expect myself to do them perfectly and then when I don't I get frustrated, feel like I've already failed, and then just up and quit all together. But, if I go into the goal realizing that I won't be perfect at it - in fact, that I'll never be perfect at it (at least according to my standards) - I would be much better off. The only thing that practice guarantees is permanence - not perfection. And w/o getting too religious in this thread I just have to add that it is only through Jesus Christ that we are made perfect so to expect a perfect performance every time of myself is just insane anyway!

So, there's the new understanding that I have now that I think will help me immensely and I can see that it already has.

Anyway.....

My new habit that I'm working on is: "Take Care of it Right Now!"

I always put little things off - like putting the P.B. away or doing the dishes and before I know it I have a long list of things to do so I'm going to do the 21 day experiment and see what happens to my lifestyle just by changing this one thing. I've already been doing it for a week and although I'm not perfect at it, the phrase sticks with me and is like a constant reminder that it would be easier to "take care of it right now" rather than put it off. It's not a huge change by any means, but I know it will make a huge difference in my life if I can make this a permanent habit. I know some people are gifted w/ this ability and I am not one of them so this has been kind of fun to see that I am capable of this even though it doesn't come naturally to me. I don't know if this makes sense and this is probably waaaayyyyy more information than you're looking for, MM, but I just had to share. I'm really excited to hear what everyone else is doing.

[Erudite]

Erudite's New Year's Resolutions and Strategies

These goals are in the major areas of life. We're doing them on another message board, so I just copied and pasted. It was recommended that we do a goal and the first strategy for achieving the goal, so that's what's here for me.

Social Life - attempt to spend more time with the in-laws.
-strategy: have monthly FHE with in-laws.

Emotional Wellbeing - learn and practice meditation
-strategy: try several different methods to find one that works

Environment - finish yard with more trees.
-strategy: make a yard plan now with a calendar for when the planting can be done. Confer with a nursery to get the plants I want (rather than what they have at the time I show up to do the shopping...that gets me into trouble every time!)

Intellectual Growth - start writing again.
-strategy: schedule at least two hours per week to write.

Spiritual Development - Complete the Old Testament this year; Do weekly RS and SS reading.
-strategy: read OT while waiting for the carpool; RS and SS readings are done Sunday mornings.

Physical health - Run a 5k (or 2 or 3) (this is a toughie, given my current health, but still my goal)
-strategy: restart the couch to 5K plan when the doc says it's ok.

[5ft Diva]

What a great strategy, E. I have a strategy kind of like your's, but a little more complex. I think I'll use this method instead. Thanks for sharing. I so appreciate it when others' ideas simplify my life w/o me having to reinvent my own wheel!

[Dia Minha]

This year I am concentrating on my need for immediate gratification. I have set up a series of personal goals that all inertwine within every aspect of my life. Mostly finances and my addiction to food. I know if I can learn to conquer one, I will conquer the other. It is amazing to me how much they are connected.

Last night my WW leader shared this quote: "The cheif cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what we want most - for what we want at the moment." Isn't that the truth?

Dia

[5ft Diva]

Oh, I totally understand this one, Dia. We just bought a new vehicle for our family and BS and I really wanted the first one we looked at, but after sleeping on it (which was really hard to do) we both came to the conclusion that we needed to wait and lo and behold, it was a good thing we did because we found something that better suits our family's needs. It was very difficult to hold off for what was best for what we thought was best at the moment just because we wanted the immediate gratification. I think it was a good lesson and one I would really like to learn because it was almost painful to wait - if that makes sense. Good luck w/ that, Dia. I could use improvement on this area too, but one brick at a time, eh? I guess I'll conquer this one when you've figured out how to and can teach me everything you know.

[5ft Diva]

Another goal that I've decided to work on because I'm really needing to is to not be afraid or rather intimidated by things that are new to me. New ideas, new methods, someone asking me to do something that I've never done before, new people, etc...

I tend to shy away from things that I am not familiar with and I don't like that I do that. I want to feel comfortable trying new things and being in new places. It will be good for me!!!!

[Erudite]

I'd say that's a great goal for anyone. I think most of us probably have some form of that problem. Way to go for working toward what you want and changing what you need.

[5ft Diva]

Well, it's good to know I'm not alone. Thanks for the encouragement!

[Meticulous madness]

Originally Posted by Erudite

I'd say that's a great goal for anyone. I think most of us probably have some form of that problem. Way to go for working toward what you want and changing what you need.

I agree! That really is a great goal 5D. I can certainly relate.

ER, I also really loved how you laid your goals out so specifically. And Dia, your quotes are awesome reminders (and good mantras, to help in the follow-through processes)!

I truly love hearing what people are working toward, and HOW they anticipate accomplishing their goals. The more descriptive the better! Thanks for your input everyone!