I started my blog after New Year’s so I didn’t do a traditional New Year’s post about my resolutions for the year. I’m haven’t always been a big fan of New Year’s resolutions because I, like many, would diligently and thoughtfully think out my resolutions and would do exceptionally well at keeping them…for a few weeks, after which I would falter. Then forget about the completely. Of course, I would start the whole process over again each year. I still do New Year’s resolutions, but I have another system now. I still treat resolutions as a way to commit myself to self improvement, but I’ve tried to build in more accountability into my system.
I use New Year’s as the time to reflect on where I’ve been and where I want to go. I write out my goals for that year and I come back to them throughout the year to see how I’m doing. I no longer get disappointed if I can’t complete a resolution because often it is just a matter of different priorities or sometimes life just gets in the way. Keeping a log of progress on my resolutions has helped me remain accountable to my goals. So I thought, why not put them online and just put them out there in the public.
Here are my goals for this year and how I am doing with them:
ReadEnjoy 25 books
I do read a lot, but I don’t always have time to do the leisure reading I’d like to do. I started off the year well, as with any resolution, but have not met the pace I wanted. Part of my problem is when I start a book, I feel obligated to finish it. I’ve started a few books that I just can’t get into, so that has slowed me a little. So I’ve changed my goal to enjoy the books I read now. Life is too short to read bad books! With 5 books enjoyed, 3 started but not enjoyed, I’m a little behind schedule, but confident I can do this one.
- Try a New Recipe Every Week
I haven’t hit a new one every week, but I’ve tried many new recipes this year. They haven’t all been keepers, but I really have enjoyed trying new things. And to help me with this, I finally broke down and upgraded my account at AllRecipes.com.
- Get in Better Shape
I was rocking this one! One of my Christmas presents was a Wii Fit. I was walking my dog regularly (which was also another goal…see below). I was doing pilates regularly. Notice, I am saying ‘was’ a lot. Once I get into a good exercise routine I do really well, but once I break that routine, not so well. With this terrible winter we had, having these indoor activities was working well for me. Then one day, I took my dog for walk on some icy, snowy sidewalks and came down on my one knee wrong. It healed quickly, but it I couldn’t really workout for about 6 weeks. Now I’m getting back into my routine again. I’m also especially glad that I am able run again and to mentor for First Strides.
- Walk my Dog Regularly
See above. Getting back into the regular part of it.
- Run a Half Marathon
See above above. I was planning on running the Lehigh Valley Half Marathon May 1st, but my training schedule was tanked. Perhaps I’ll do the Philly Half in the fall.
- Start a Blog
Started. Now I just have to post more consistently. And perhaps some people will even read it.
- Be a Better Networker
To accomplish this, I’ve decided to merge two things I really enjoy…technology and networking. I’ve committed myself to writing LinkedIn recommendations. I’ve been meaning to do this for a very long time and now seems like the best time to start. I’ve developed a list of individuals and have even drafted a few recommendations. However, I never have been very confident about my writing. These people I am fortunate to work with in a variety of capacities deserve the best. I hope I can do them justice.
- Not Have the Ironing Board out All Week
Someone once told me that I’m a rare woman. Nice compliment, if only it hadn’t been in reference to the fact that I iron. I iron every week. Often the ironing stretches out over a week, which leads to the ironing board being out in the family room all the time. Convenient, yes, but it is not the way I like my family room. So my goal is to get the ironing started and done in one night, so the ironing board doesn’t stay out all the time. It’s been working out pretty well. If only I could get the kids to put their stuff away after it’s been ironed…
- Evaluate Where I am Professionally
Sometimes life doesn’t work out like you hope. I’ve been in my current position for a little over five years. I do love my job, but at the same time, I haven’t come close to accomplishing what I had hoped. When I took my current position, I had taken a pay cut and a position downgrade, but it was a job change that was needed due to another unexpected life event. So after five years of being in this position, it is time for me to grow in a different direction. What that is, I don’t quite know yet. Right now I am leaning towards taking advantage of my tuition benefit at work and pursuing another degree part-time. To do that, however, I need to take the GRE, which I will do this September. I am also evaluating what I want to do over the next several years. I had applied for a position in library administration recently, which, although I didn’t get the job, reinforced my desire to be in more of a leadership position within a library. Five years ago I had pulled myself out of a library director search because I didn’t think I was ready, even though several individuals told me I was. Now I know I am ready, so this particular goal will most likely carry over the next few New Years.
- Be a better mom, wife, and person.
This one will never be *complete*, but one that I will continuously strive for.
So, this is my public update #1. Hopefully it will help me stay focused on these goals and in some way hold me more accountable.
