My resolve in ... '09

I am getting into a little rhythm as it relates to making goals annually. Check out my '08 list and my '07 list.

I did okay for '08. I'm pleased w/the out come, but it could have been different.

When making this list, I try not to make it too complicated or create something that will cause me to disappoint myself in the end ... really it is just of things that I would like to do, but if I don't do it, oh, darn.

So here I go ... I am carrying over three things from the '08 list:

• snowboarding lesson
• travel (by airplane) to at least two cities I have never been to before
• run at least two 5Ks

I've selected these because I like them as personal thing I enjoy. Unfortunately, I've had snowboarding on the list for two years or more, but it is going to go down this year.

I already have some travel on my radar and I have my passport too, so the travel part could be really fun.

In my effort to keep in shape, I think the goal of more than one 5k is doable.

Here's what's new:

• learn Spanish - I've already started on this one by joining Live Mocha (and using it; it's a social media platform for learning languages), but I plan to enroll in a course as well

That in addition to this little list that I compiled based on the "Your 3 Goals for 2009" blog post from Twitterati (top Twitterers) Chris Brogan:

• Enjoy: I plan to enjoy my life even the frustrating parts
  
• Educate: I've been soaking up knowledge like a sponge, time to share the love
  
• Explore: This should tie in nicely w/my travel goal, but gives me reason to learn more
  

I know, it sounds like it could be the slogan for a children's museum, but like Brogan says, you want a goal that you can attain, but after you reach it you still have more to strive for.

And for me this is the stuff that might have gotten pushed aside, I still plan to meditate and workout and be more social. Good stuff indeed.

My resolve in ... '08

Yeah, I know ... it's February already and I am just posting my New Year's Resolutions! Don;t hate me because you were stressin tryin to get it done, while I took my time and let the resolutions marinate = less stress, happy me.

So last year, I concocted a lil New Year's resolution list. I did okay with that list. Here is the list of what carries over - and note to self: if it does not get done this year, it can not - will not roll over to '09.

• snowboarding lesson
• travel (by airplane) to at least two cities I have never been to before
• run a 5K (at least)
• Get published in Cards magazine! and other craft related publications

Now here is what I've come up with for this year:

• Spend less and less often
• This is a big one; I want to shop less. I can do that, but I like fresh fruit and veggies, so that will be the only exception. For my own sake, I will have to more clearly define this one

• Get my mental act together
• This really means: do not allow other peoples negative actions to affect me emotionally - ooooommmmmmmm

• Do Pilates at least once a week

• Meditate for at least 5-10 minutes first thing in the morning

That's it for now ... gotta keep it doable.

Thinking ahead

I'm thinking about New Year's resolutions - things to do. But before I write up a slate of activities, let me reflect on how the '07 resolutions panned out:

take at least one snowboarding lesson (I attemped several times in the last two years)

• I did not get to this one; I could chalk it up to a crappy winter w/not a lot of snow action, but I think I will transfer this one to the forthcoming '08 list

learn spanish

• I did not make any progress on this one since I can't count thinking about it

complete a small 6x6 or 8x8 scrapbook

• I make cards because I can get them done and usually quickly; scrapbooking no matter the size of the pages, just seems too daunting to me - MISSION NOT ACCOMPLISHED

complete 3-4 mini books

• I did complete some mini-book; I think I did two and I really enjoyed them.

Travel (by airplane) to at least two cities I have never been to before

• I went to Boston in April, but that was it; this one will also roll over to '08

Run a 5K (at least)

• I sort of accomplished this one; I did go to a 5K; I ran for a good portion, but I also walked for a good portion; in '08 there will be another one of these and maybe a 10k

Get published in Cards magazine!

• cha-ching! I got this one! I was in the October '07 issue! Yeah.

Stay tuned for more ... and hopefully more ambitious resolutions.