Monday, December 15, 2008

Resolutions, Schmesolutions!

The beginning of a new year always brings about the inevitable questions about New Years’ Resolutions. Because most people are notorious for not keeping them, present company included, I’ve long since given up on even making any.
However, I do set goals for myself. I find if they are realistic and measurable, I can usually attain them.
I break them down into categories: physical/health, spiritual, professional/intellectual, relationships, household/financial, and hobbies. Then I think about what I’m currently doing that’s worth keeping, plan to continue that and improve in some small way in each category, so I’ll grow.
For example, when my daughters were still very young, I didn’t have much time for reading. So, back then my reading goal was for four books per year, because I figured I could manage one every three months if I worked at it slowly. It seems laughable to me now, since I’m currently on my seventy-third book of the year, and the year isn’t over yet. But, as I said, I made my goals realistic for how my life was at the time.
So, I think 75 books is a reasonable goal for next year.
As a Christian, I don’t think it’s unspiritual to set goals. I still need God’s help to reach them. But I do think that if your goal is to be a spiritually mature person, you’ve got to take steps to get there. It’s like saying, “I want to be a world-class pianist”, and then never practicing the piano. It doesn’t work that way.
So, that being said, I’ll share my goals, partly to make me accountable. I can check back at the end of 2009 and see how I did.

Physical/Health:
(I won’t make any extravagant goals here, because I know myself. I can start out well, but then I quit. If you set your sights low enough, you’re sure to reach your goals.)
-Lose 10-15 pounds by whatever means, diet, walking, etc.
-Dentist 4 times a year, Doctor once a year. Yearly screening mammogram.

Spiritual:
-Attend church twice a week.
-Take sermon notes. (buy a new journal).
-Increase weekly tithing amount.
-Bible reading: a chapter a day. This works out to reading it through in three years. I know if I try to read through in a year, I usually quit at Ezekiel.
-Attend Carey Conference and other conferences, if able.
-Continue with nursery, kitchen, cleaning at church. Find a new ministry at church. Contribute to the church website—book reviews, testimony.
-Serve at Carey Conference for final year.

Professional/Intellectual:
-Work full time.
-Obtain at least 20 hours of oncology nursing continuing education hours to keep up my C.O.N.(C) certification.
-Do the College of Nurses quality assurance requirements.
-Hospital on-line inservice and continuing education as required.
-Read at least two books on current events/social issues.
-Watch the news. Stay current on world events.
-Read the magazines we subscribe to.

Relationships:
Marriage—continue weekly dates.
-Travel with my husband: south in the winter, to the cottage in the summer, and away for a few days for our anniversary.
Daughters—family trip in summer, Carey conference.
Extended family—keep up socially, with facebook.
-Attend family reunions, events, weddings.
-Send Christmas letter update.
Friends—facebook, blog.
-Entertain friends at least once a month.

Household/Financial:
-Pay off main mortgage.
-Refinance remaining debts.
-Continue to support other charities.
-Set aside money for daughter’s university fees.
-Travel.
-Repaint the main floor walls.
-Renovate bathroom.
-Buy two more bookshelves and reorganize.

Hobbies:
-Read 75 books in total.
-Watch as much soccer as possible. (I love goals like this. Everything isn’t about work.). Take in a TFC soccer game, if possible.
-Complete one of my inspirational romances, work on the others.
-Continue to blog at least twice a week.
-Write book reviews as I read.
-Attempt another month of 100 words a day.

Well, that’s me. I know that equals a busy life. Sure, I could sit around and watch mindless t.v. instead, but what is there to show for it at the end of the year? I hope this inspired you to make your own goals, instead of resolutions.

No comments: