Resolutions, Goals, whatever you want to call them.

Hi Friends! When I posted on January 3rd I neglected to tell everyone Happy 2012! I hope everyone had a lovely New Years Eve, mine was very mellow and I loved every second of it. As many people do, (and as I did pretty unsuccessfully last year,) I made some resolutions/goals for myself for 2012. I tried very hard ot keep them somewhat reasonable and actually achievable and I gave myself rewards for completing some of them in hopes that I would actually complete them.

1. Read something everyday. Last year I made these very lofty goals to finish several books. It didn't happen. So this year I told myself I would read something everyday. It may be a paragraph, a page, a chapter...just anything. As a reward, once I finish a book I will reward myself most likely with a new book to read.
2. Try to make a new dish every month. This was in an attempt to expand our dinner menu. I actually achieved this in January with Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops.
3. Use my planner. I'm a paper person. As much as I love my iPhone and iPad I'm just not very good at using it to plan ahead. I need to write things down to remember them and so far it's been a great way to track my goals and days.
4. Send a note card each day. Ok, this one is HUGE. It's quite difficult to sit down and write a note card each day but I wanted to do this in an effort to keep myself in touch with those I don't get to talk to as often. Sometimes it will be a birthday card and other times just a simple hello. Trying not to beat myself up over missing a day and then just doubling up and so far it's worked but I vowed not to reward myself for staying on track with this one until I actually write one each day for 30 consecutive days.
5. Dress less lazy. I love my t-shirts, jeans and Converse and as much as I love them I'm kind of in a fashion rut. I have an aversion to shorter dresses but I'm going to try to wear dresses that don't go down to my ankles and to keep my t-shirts folded up and opt for something a little cuter to wear with my jeans.
6. Budget better. I'm not frivolous with our money however I'm not a very good budgeter. I need a better plan for saving and spending.
7. Master the banjo. So I got my banjo last year for my birthday and try as I did I have found it difficult to learn. I was doing ok learning from a book I received but I just wasn't getting it so I got a new book, Bluegrass Banjo for the Complete Ignoramus by Wayne Erbsen. It's amazing! After three days I'm able to play a simple song. It's really making me like my banjo even more and I've decided that at least 2-3 times a week I will sit down and learn something new. So far so good.

Those are my personal goals for 2012. I have quite a few business goals as well but I decided that both were too much for one post.

What were your personal goals for 2012?

Nicole

 

Comments

[Charisa]

My two goals for 2012:

1) Have a baby

2) Keep the same address for a full calendar year

[Shawna]

I think it's amazing that you are learning the banjo! It's not an instrument that I normally see ladies playing. Plus it is super complicated. Kudos!

[Nicole]

Thanks Shawna! You are right, it's a super complicated instrument but I do love it. :)

[Amy H.]

I really like your idea of sending a note card each day. I have a really hard time making an effort to stay in contact with all my friends that I don't get to see everyday. Plus everyone likes getting something in the mail, and it's alittle more thoughtful than just sneidng texts

[mandy]

These are some great goals! :) My favorite is the first one! I need to try to do that too.

[Becky]

A great set of goals! I like that they're things that are measurable so you're more able to hold yourself accountable to them.

[Nicole]

Amy H. it's been a lot of fun sending out the cards. It's lovely to hear back from my friends and family about how much they loved getting their notes in the mail.

Mandy, it's so much more manageable to just read a little something and because of it I've actually been reading a lot more because a paragraph usually turns into a chapter!

Becky, thanks! That was one of my goals when making goals! :)

[Katherine]

Great goals! I love sitting down at the beginning of the year and looking at the past year and how I can improve it and the things I want to achieve. Good luck with all of yours!