Goals for 2011

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. New for this year, I’ll have a separate category for writing.

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 usually read over 60 books a year. But, as I said, I made my goals realistic for how my life was at the time.
So, I think 70 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 2011 and see how I did.

My Bible verse for this year is: "He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30

Physical/Health:-Lose spare tire.
-Go to Curves 1-3 times a week.
-Dentist 4 times a year, Doctor once a year. Yearly screening mammogram.

Spiritual:
-Attend church twice a week
-Increase weekly tithing amount.
-Bible reading: Five chapters a day. Let’s try again.
-Attend at least one Christian conference.
-Continue with nursery, kitchen, lead College and Careers group, speak at Ladies’ Meeting occasionally.
-Take on support of a new ministry.

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.

Relationships:
-Marriage—continue weekly dates.
-Travel with my husband to Europe for 21 days for our 25th Anniversary in July.
Daughters—girls only trips, shopping trips, mani-pedi dates. Family photo shoot at Thanksgiving.
-Extended family—keep up socially, with facebook
-Attend social events.
-Send Christmas letter update.
-Friends—facebook, twitter,blog.
-Entertain friends at least twice a month.

Household/Financial:
-Save for half of trip to Europe.
-Continue to support other charities.
-Set aside money for daughters’ university fees.

Hobbies:
-Read 70 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.
-Write book reviews as I read.

Writing:
-Complete first draft of one of my works-in-progress, work on the others.
-Continue to blog at least twice a week.
--Read three books on the craft of writing.
--Attend ACFW writer’s conference in September, if possible.
--Find a critique group or partner.
--Read blogs and articles about writing.
--Continue to journal once a week.

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.