Resolutions

[figmo]

Being Jewish, I have two New Years: the one on January 1st, and Rosh HaShanah. For whatever reason -- probably because it coincides with the beginning of the school year -- Rosh HaShanah has always seemed more like the start of the year than that weird date in the middle of winter. This time of year, therefore, is when I make resolutions.

I usually try to pick one or two items that either seem reasonable as goals or, if unreasonable-sounding, are things I really want to accomplish. Some past goals:

• get myself a paying on-air gig on the radio
• get myself a Real House and out of my condo
• lose weight (when I do this one I avoid setting a weight I must lose because I consider that insane for me)
• get my blood pressure down
• lower my stress level
• get a permanent job
• improve my housekeeping

Every year I've had one obvious thing I've wanted to fix in my life. This year, however, is different.

When trying to come up with a resolution for this year I couldn't settle on Just One Thing because I have too many items on the platter:

• I need a permanent job. My COBRA expires at the end of the year.
• I need to catch up on my bills. This may take more than a year, making it a lousy resolution.
• I have this CD I keep trying to make. All my "catching up on bills" has been interfering with getting it done.
• I have this guy in my life who needs brain surgery. Bad. I'd put that on the top of the list, but most of whether he gets it is out of my control, thus making it a lousy goal.
• Losing more weight. If I made that my only goal I'd make myself nuts. I've got it as a background item. I have lost ten pounds or so in the last year and kept it off. This isn't a stellar accomplishment, but it beats gaining weight.
• Getting into better shape. Yes, I need to work out more, but I feel soooo unmotivated. It's not fun. I feel like a dork when I do it.

There are parts of all of these I want as my goal, but I need to feel like I've accomplished something.

I've therefore decided if I can get anything dented on that list, it's a done resolution.

Comments

[poltr1]

My experience with new year's resolutions is that they get forgotten by the time the second month comes around, or don't get done. Instead, I set a series of goals. If it doesn't get done, I say "Oh well" and carry it over to the next month, or year.

In order to measure progess on a goal, there needs to be a metric. Example: I've needed to lose weight for years. Instead of saying "I want to lose 50 pounds", I've said "I want to lose 5 pounds this month." That makes the goal more bite-sized, achieveable, and measurable. You've done well by losing the 10 pounds and keeping it off.

Set goals that are reasonable. Setting an goal that is too ambitious or unreasonable is a recipe to drive oneself crazy. Been there, done that.

Set goals that not only state the ending point, but also give you a path to get there.

If this was my list, I'd put Permanent Job, Warren's surgery, and Paying Bills as the top three.

I also advise printing out this list, posting it up on your bathroom mirror (or some other place you see frequently but other's dont), and keeping those goals in front of you so that you don't forget them. It may also help to have a good friend hold you accountable to these goals, asking you every month if you've made progress.

[figmo.livejournal.com]

"Permanent job" is on the top of the list. I feel funny putting it down because it's almost a done deal.

"Warren's surgery" is largely out of my hands, control-wise. I can't operate on him. I can do everything in my power to facilitate things, but I hesitate to call it a "resolution" because some of what will make it happen has to come from him, and I can't control him.

"Paying bills" is ongoing. I seriously doubt I'll be dug out of debt this time next year. I'm working on it, but I doubt I'll be there.

[maedbh7.livejournal.com]

IMO, you only have two goals listed:

1) Get pemanent source of "income w/benefits" (covers your goals 1-3)
2) Get healthier (covers your goals 5-6)

(I agree, goal 4 is Warrren's goal and not your goal)

The year I made "Get Healthier" my new year's resolution was a good year. Because anytime I took the stairs instead of the elevator counted. Seeing the nutritionist, taking a swim class, following a work out routine for a month, drinking more water, cutting out caffiene, all of those counted. So, how about those two goals? -H..

[figmo.livejournal.com]

Given that the day job says they want to make me permanent, that almost seems like too easy a goal.

The health thing is a good one, but I don't know how to measure it.