I am not one for making New Year’s resolutions. I have a hard time with forced ambition. However, I do like to set goals and am often more motivated by goal-setting. I think it has to do with the idea that if you break a resolution, you’ve failed, but if you suffer a setback while reaching for a goal, the goal is still attainable – it just takes longer to reach. And I can handle that.
For some reason – maybe it’s that this year I’ve had time to think about it – I have found myself really considering what my goals should be for 2008. The goals I’ve set for myself are ambitious – and perhaps unrealistic – but I’ll never know unless I try. I’m going to get Matt to help me create sidebar widgets to track my progress on all of the goals, but here’s a brief breakdown:
- In 2008, I will take time to nourish the creative side of me. I will continue to blog faithfully, an average of 4 days per week. I will also take more time to scrapbook, so that I can more faithfully preserve my family’s memories and history. (I’ll post my specific goal on a sidebar and track my progress toward reaching it.)
- In 2008, I will take time to nurture the spiritual side of me. Beyond finding a new church home for our family, I want to take time to seek God’s plan for my involvement in ministry in our new church. I don’t want to jump in headfirst into the pool of overcommitment. Additionally, I will commit to remaining active in a focused Bible study group throughout the year. Finally, I will renew my efforts to establish a family devotional and scripture memory time as well as helping develop personal Bible study time for both Trey and Crisana.
- In 2008, I will take time to care for the physical side of me. This means a renewed focus on exercise, nutrition, and overall health. (I’m going to create a sidebar to list my specific goal for weight loss as well as my progress toward it, and a simple step I’m taking each week to live a healthier life: through exercise, improved lifestyle, diet/nutrition, and physical health)
- In 2008, I will take time to stimulate the mental side of me. I loved going to the library more often in 2007 and getting back into reading books. I want to continue that trend – to expand my world through literature. (I’d also like to create a book list somewhere on this blog) With the home improvement projects we expect to be undertaking in the next 12 months, I want to become more knowledgeable about landscaping, home decorating, budgeting, and organizing. And there’s always the challenge to grow professionally, whether it be continuing as a piano teacher, or returning to the classroom full-time.
Okay, so there it is. An ambitious list I know, but one that I think can help me live more of this life I’ve come to love. I’d love to hear what your goals for the new year are! Share the journey with me, and we can achieve our goals together!