Sunday, December 27, 2009

Review of 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.


Here is my end of year assessment, written in CAPS.

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.-LOST 18 POUNDS, 18 INCHES WITH SURESLIM.CA THE ONLY DIET THAT HAS EVER WORKED FOR ME.
-Dentist 4 times a year, Doctor once a year. Yearly screening mammogram.-DONE.

Spiritual:
-Attend church twice a week.-DONE.
-Take sermon notes. (buy a new journal).-STARTED BUT DIDN'T FINISH.
-Increase weekly tithing amount.-DONE.
-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.-I DIDN'T GET FAR ON THIS ONE, AGAIN. I HAVE SO LITTLE SELF-DISCIPLINE.
-Attend Carey Conference and other conferences, if able.-CAREY, ANNUAL SGF ASSEMBLY.
-Continue with nursery, kitchen, cleaning at church. Find a new ministry at church.-DONE, AND WILL BE STARTING A COLLEGE AND CAREERS GROUP IN THE NEW YEAR. ALSO SPOKE AT LADIES' MEETING.
-Contribute to the church website—book reviews, testimony.-NOT DONE. HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT HOW TO INPUT DATA, NOT VERY USER FRIENDLY.
-Serve at Carey Conference for final year.-DONE. YAY!

Professional/Intellectual:
-Work full time.-DONE.
-Obtain at least 20 hours of oncology nursing continuing education hours to keep up my C.O.N.(C) certification.-DONE, AT ONS CONFERENCE IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.
-Do the College of Nurses quality assurance requirements.-DONE.
-Hospital on-line inservices and continuing education as required.-PARTIAL.
-Read at least two books on current events/social issues.-NOT DONE, ONLY OTHER FICTION AND NON-FICTION.
-Watch the news. Stay current on world events.-DONE, ALSO NOW ON TWITTER.
-Read the magazines we subscribe to.-NOT ENOUGH TIME.

Relationships:
Marriage—continue weekly dates.-NOT QUITE, AT LEAST MONTHLY.
-Travel with my husband: south in the winter, to the cottage in the summer, and away for a few days for our anniversary.-MAYAN RIVIERA 10 DAYS, NO KIDS, ANNIVERSARY TRIP WITHOUT HIM DUE TO STUPID CITY STRIKE, COTTAGE AT CAREY CONFERENCE, BUT NO EXTRA TRIPS DUE TO STUPID CITY STRIKE.
Daughters—family trip in summer, Carey conference.-NO FAMILY TRIP AS THEY BOTH WORKED AWAY AT CAMP, BUT ELDEST CAME TO TEXAS WITH ME. YOUNGEST CAME TO CAREY WITH US.
Extended family—keep up socially, with facebook.-YES, ALSO ON TWITTER,
-Attend family reunions, events, weddings.-YES.
-Send Christmas letter update.-DONE.
Friends—facebook, blog.-YE.
-Entertain friends at least once a month.-YES, SOMETIMES MORE.

Household/Financial:
-Pay off main mortgage.-YESSSS! THEN DECIDED TO SELL AND MOVE TO AJAX.
-Refinance remaining debts.-DONE.
-Continue to support other charities.-YES.
-Set aside money for daughter’s university fees.-YES.
-Travel.-MEXICO, TEXAS, AND KINGSTON, ONTARIO.
-Repaint the main floor walls.-DONE, TO PREP FOR THE SALE OF THE HOUSE.
-Renovate bathroom.-PARTIAL.
-Buy two more bookshelves and reorganize.-DONE.

Hobbies:
-Read 75 books in total.-ONLY 65.
-Watch as much soccer as possible. (I love goals like this. Everything isn’t about work.). Take in a TFC soccer game, if possible.-SAW ONE TFC GAME, BUT WATCHED LESS ON T.V.
-Complete one of my inspirational romances, work on the others.-DIDN'T FINISH AS THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH GETTING THEM TYPED AND I DIDN'T HAVE THEM FOR MONTHS.
-Continue to blog at least twice a week.-ONE TO TWO TIMES A WEEK.
-Write book reviews as I read.-DONE FOR ALL.
-Attempt another month of 100 words a day.-NOT THIS YEAR, BECAUSE OF THE MOVE.

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.

NOW I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT I'D LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH IN 2010.

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