And so it begins…..
2009.
Everyone is thinking and writing resolutions. And I am no different. However, to be quite honest, I have never really set goals for myself at the turn of a year. I have always dabbled in vagaries. You know the type of resolutions…. get healthy, get organized, lose weight, be better. Resolutions with no set time frame, no measurable change, no staying power. This year, this changes. I am setting goals. Goals I will be assessing weekly. Goals I can measure. Goals that you will be able to follow. So, without further adieu…. my goals.
1.) Remain authentic. Find and keep my own voice.
2.) Write. Write daily. May not publish daily, but write daily. Write what is on my mind without fear.
3.) Read. Read daily. The path to good writing is exploring others’ writing.
4.) Photography. Take photos daily (photo 365 project coming here). Participate in critiques. Learn, read, develop mad photographer skills.
5.) Start my photo business. It is something I have been putting off for three years. Time to take the plunge.
6.) Smile each day. Get out to make more friends. Keep in touch. I have had a lifelong struggle with depression which often disallows me from doing these things. The depression then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. This will end.
7.) Let go of that which is toxic in my life. I had a dream last night where I was literally talking in my sleep in confrontation. Toxic things have occurred in my life this year (hell for the past four years) on several different fronts. Things that may never be properly addressed. It is my burden to carry, and I have had trouble letting it go in my own head (particularly since I must face or read emails concerning these things quite frequently). Somehow, I must find a way to move forward and let it go. I cannot, no, will not let it create more turmoil in my life. I must accept things were never how I thought they were or will never be the same. I cannot continue to have these dreams or live with some of the pain that the last four years has sent my way.
8.) Work from home.
9.) Develop a schedule. Stick to it.
10.) Find joy in my life. Create joy in others.
Each week I will be assessing my goals, and assessing my accomplishments. I often get down on myself, not celebrating the small victories, but focusing on the even smaller failures. It is time for weekly reality checks that allow me to celebrate.
What are your goals? How are you going to promote yourself to success?
7 Responses to “And so it begins…..”
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I never thought about it that way but I dabble in the vagaries too. I know everyone loves New Year’s day because it feels like a fresh start but my resolution this year is to remember that each day is a clean slate waiting for me to write on it. Maybe being a bit easier on ourselves is the path to self-improvement.
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I can’t believe you don’t already have the photo business going? Your photos are amazing. And I am happy to hear you’ll be writing more, I love your blog.
followthatdog’s last blog post..Now with even more annoying ads!
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You’re right about vagaries.
One thing I learned about through work is to have “SMART” goals:
Specific
Measurable
Actionable
Realistic
Time-bound
After all, the time needed for a task expands or contracts to fit the time allotted for it.
Elliott – 21st Century Dad’s last blog post..I Have Resurfaced
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I don’t have goals that are so profound. You make me want to set them. Although I do have one. I have a terrible relationship with my stepdaughter. She lives with us (moved in a year and a half ago after we sued for custody and won because her mother is a loser… I am being polite). But, she has horrible behavior issues and makes our lives miserable. I know its not her fault, but resides in the way she was raised until this point, but I lose my temper. I dread her coming home from school because I know I will have another note from the teacher, another detention or missed recess slip and another fight to get the homework done and corrected. I need to start each day fresh with the hopes that today is a new day. I need to not keep my negative attitude because yesterday she was bad again. I must open my mind and heart and hug her through it. I dream of her all the time… her issues haunt me in my sleep and we fight in my sleep. I must learn to let it go before it consumes me. But, easier typed than done, right? But its a goal.
Domestic Goddess (in training)’s last blog post..Resolutions Update
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Vagaries. That’s me. I do better with short-term objectives that result in the long-term goal. So, “Yoga a minimum of 4x/week” works better for me than “Get back in shape.”
Not that I’m off to a rip-roaring start on that ol’ yoga mat or anything mind you….
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Hello ther my friend!!!! You are an amaizing person inside and out!!!! So you keep your head up…do what ever it is you want this year…I will be there to kick you in the butt if you let yourself down, or to hold your hand on your new found journey!!!
Keep up all your hard work, I am very proud to call you my friend!!!!
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I am so proud that you will doing things for you finally! I am hear to help with all of your dreams and always will be.
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