How did June get here already?  I can’t believe it!!

1.  To overhaul this blog and my other blog into one blog. 

• Lawgirl and Fattie Fatterton will be combined into Pretty in Orange, which will have different sections regarding daily life, health/fitness, shopping/fashion, and reviews. 
• June Update:  Well, I am LIVID that this is not done yet.  And my hands are tied for the moment.  I can’t go further until I have the “bones” of the blog in place.  So, yes, I have been paying for a website for 6 months that I can’t even use. 

2.  To participate in a 5k once every quarter this year. 

•   Miles for Smiles was to be this past Saturday.  However, the weather didn’t cooperate.  I did get out and do my own 5k.  You can read my recap of that here. 
• I have also picked out three more 5ks:
  • The Komen Race for the Cure – I’m already registered. 
  • Stirrup Hope Fund Walk and Run 5k
  • JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes (2 miles instead of a 5k)
• June Update:  Well, Bob and I registered for the Komen race, paid our dues, and all that.  But at the last minute, he decided that he would rather get away for the weekend.  So, I had planned to do my own personal 5k.  I haven’t done that yet.
• To be honest, since I found Yoga, I have NO interest in walking right now.  I get bored with it, I don’t like the way I feel after it, ….I just don’t want to. Maybe once I lose some more weight, I can start the Galloway method into running.  But yeah, I don’t like the walking right now.  So I’m putting this goal On Hold.

3.  To learn Adobe Captivate.

• Still trying to figure out how to do this.  The software is over $700.  So then I thought about trying a class on it.  Those are close to $800.  In the end, it would be cheaper for me to buy the software, but I can’t see that happening while I’m unemployed.  Not giving up, though.

4.  To learn Pivot Tables in Excel.

• No work on this yet.

5.  To create and maintain my online portfolio.

• Completed!

6.  To work out with Ashley (my trainer) at least twice per month.

• Met up with Ashley once this month to get a gameplan going.  Will meet with her the week of the 22nd.  
• June Update:  Ashley is going to be leaving to raise her impending firstborn child.  Again, since Yoga took over, I’m focusing on that.

7.  To learn about eating a raw diet. 

• Still working on this one.  I think as the weather improves, I will be able to get further with this.  When it’s cooler outside, I want a hot meal. 
• June Update:  SO excited.  Whole Foods has a Raw Chef now and Robbin and I are going to our first Raw Foods class next week. 

8.  To make time for one dinner out per week with friends. 

• This is hard.  I want to leave this one for the weekends.  It’s too hard for me to do it during the week, as it’s the time I get to spend with Future Hubby. 
• June Update:  Well, Yoga has, again, taken the time that I would be able to put toward this.  HOWEVER, I have made new friends through Yoga and am enjoying that!

9.  To answer emails in a timely manner. 

• I was doing great on this, but am sucking at it again.  My oldest email is Feb 21.  Not as bad as when I first started this goal, but I know I can do better.
• June Update:  I am doing much better on answering comments on my site, but not as well with some emails. 

10.  To commit to walking, then jogging 4 miles per
week.

• Week of Feb 15 – 3 miles
• Week of Feb 22 – 6 miles
• Week of Mar 1 – 6.5 miles
• Week of March 8 – 5 miles
• These are all walking, so I’m going to call it In-Progress until I’m running.

11.  Financially, I am just surviving until I get a job.  So, I’ll revamp those and make financial goals after I get one.  If I ever get one. 

• Still no job.

12.  If I can swing it, I want to do some traveling this year.

• Future Hubby and I have gone away every month this year and we are going away again a the end of March.
• June Update:  Bob and I have continued to take trips here and there, but nothing significant.

13.   Start to learn Italian. 

• Nothing yet.

14.  Volunteer at a local animal rescue on a regular basis.   

• Nothing yet. 

15.  Organize a charity walk for Cozy Cat Cottage.

• Nothing yet.

16.  To join a CSA. 

• June Update:  Didn’t happen.  Money was an issue. 

17.  Learn how to can veggies and fruits.  Goes along with #16.

• This will not begin until fall.
• June Update:  I can still do this even without #16. 

As you can see, Yoga has really taken over my life, but in a good way.  I am working out 5 days per week, I feel really good – it’s made a huge difference in my life.  Obviously, I didn’t know I would fall in love with Yoga this way at the beginning of the year.  So, I am probably going to do some changes to my goals for the year.

How did June get here already?  I can’t believe it!!

1.  To overhaul this blog and my other blog into one blog. 

• Lawgirl and Fattie Fatterton will be combined into Pretty in Orange, which will have different sections regarding daily life, health/fitness, shopping/fashion, and reviews. 
• June Update:  Well, I am LIVID that this is not done yet.  And my hands are tied for the moment.  I can’t go further until I have the “bones” of the blog in place.  So, yes, I have been paying for a website for 6 months that I can’t even use. 

2.  To participate in a 5k once every quarter this year. 

•   Miles for Smiles was to be this past Saturday.  However, the weather didn’t cooperate.  I did get out and do my own 5k.  You can read my recap of that here. 
• I have also picked out three more 5ks:
• The Komen Race for the Cure – I’m already registered. 
• Stirrup Hope Fund Walk and Run 5k
• JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes (2 miles instead of a 5k)
• June Update:  Well, Bob and I registered for the Komen race, paid our dues, and all that.  But at the last minute, he decided that he would rather get away for the weekend.  So, I had planned to do my own personal 5k.  I haven’t done that yet.
• To be honest, since I found Yoga, I have NO interest in walking right now.  I get bored with it, I don’t like the way I feel after it, ….I just don’t want to. Maybe once I lose some more weight, I can start the Galloway method into running.  But yeah, I don’t like the walking right now.  So I’m putting this goal On Hold.

3.  To learn Adobe Captivate.

• Still trying to figure out how to do this.  The software is over $700.  So then I thought about trying a class on it.  Those are close to $800.  In the end, it would be cheaper for me to buy the software, but I can’t see that happening while I’m unemployed.  Not giving up, though.

4.  To learn Pivot Tables in Excel.

• No work on this yet.

5.  To create and maintain my online portfolio.

• Completed!

6.  To work out with Ashley (my trainer) at least twice per month.

• Met up with Ashley once this month to get a gameplan going.  Will meet with her the week of the 22nd.  
• June Update:  Ashley is going to be leaving to raise her impending firstborn child.  Again, since Yoga took over, I’m focusing on that.

7.  To learn about eating a raw diet. 

• Still working on this one.  I think as the weather improves, I will be able to get further with this.  When it’s cooler outside, I want a hot meal. 
• June Update:  SO excited.  Whole Foods has a Raw Chef now and Robbin and I are going to our first Raw Foods class next week. 

8.  To make time for one dinner out per week with friends. 

• This is hard.  I want to leave this one for the weekends.  It’s too hard for me to do it during the week, as it’s the time I get to spend with Future Hubby. 
• June Update:  Well, Yoga has, again, taken the time that I would be able to put toward this.  HOWEVER, I have made new friends through Yoga and am enjoying that!

9.  To answer emails in a timely manner. 

• I was doing great on this, but am sucking at it again.  My oldest email is Feb 21.  Not as bad as when I first started this goal, but I know I can do better.
• June Update:  I am doing much better on answering comments on my site, but not as well with some em
  ails. 

10.  To commit to walking, then jogging 4 miles per week.

• Week of Feb 15 – 3 miles
• Week of Feb 22 – 6 miles
• Week of Mar 1 – 6.5 miles
• Week of March 8 – 5 miles
• These are all walking, so I’m going to call it In-Progress until I’m running.

11.  Financially, I am just surviving until I get a job.  So, I’ll revamp those and make financial goals after I get one.  If I ever get one. 

• Still no job.

12.  If I can swing it, I want to do some traveling this year.

• Future Hubby and I have gone away every month this year and we are going away again a the end of March.
• June Update:  Bob and I have continued to take trips here and there, but nothing significant.

13.   Start to learn Italian. 

• Nothing yet.

14.  Volunteer at a local animal rescue on a regular basis.   

• Nothing yet. 

15.  Organize a charity walk for Cozy Cat Cottage.

• Nothing yet.

16.  To join a CSA. 

• June Update:  Didn’t happen.  Money was an issue. 

17.  Learn how to can veggies and fruits.  Goes along with #16.

• This will not begin until fall.
• June Update:  I can still do this even without #16. 

As you can see, Yoga has really taken over my life, but in a good way.  I am working out 5 days per week, I feel really good – it’s made a huge difference in my life.  Obviously, I didn’t know I would fall in love with Yoga this way at the beginning of the year.  So, I am probably going to do some changes to my goals for the year.

It’s now over a month into the new year.  Where did January go?!?!  I was, honestly, happy to see it go.  

1.  To overhaul this blog and my other blog into one blog.

• I believe it will be ready by the first week of March, if not sooner. 

2.  To participate in a 5k once every quarter this year. 

• I have registered for my 5k in March, Miles for Smiles.
• I have also picked out two more 5ks:
  • The Komen Race for the Cure
  • JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes (2 miles instead of a 5k)

3.  To learn Adobe Captivate.

• No work on this yet, although the job for which I interviewed last week is using this.  Hmmm.

4.  To learn Pivot Tables in Excel.

• No work on this yet.

5.  To create and maintain my online portfolio.

• No work on this yet.

6.  To work out with Ashley (my trainer) at least twice per month.

• Need to get ahold of Ashley on this. 

7.  To learn about eating a raw diet. 

• I am slowly trying to integrate more veggies and fruits into my diet but having a tasting plate of them for lunch every day.  It’s getting there.  I enjoy them, but by 4pm I am looking for something…more savory. 

8.  To make time for one dinner out per week with friends. 

• Had dinner out with Robbin for her birthday this week.
• Need to work on this one some more.

9.  To answer emails in a timely manner. 

• This I am doing really well on.  I am committed to answering emails and my comments on my blogs within 48 hours of receiving them.

10.  To commit to walking, then jogging 4 miles per week.

• Been hit and miss with this one.  I love the feeling after I work out, it’s just getting there.

11.  Financially, I am just surviving until I get a job.  So, I’ll revamp those and make financial goals after I get one.  If I ever get one. 

• Still no job.

12.  If I can swing it, I want to do some traveling this year.

• Future Hubby and I are traveling to a new location next weekend for a Valentine’s Day Romantic Getaway!!

13.   Start to learn Italian. 

• Nothing yet.

14.  Volunteer at a local animal rescue on a regular basis.   

• Nothing yet. 

15.  Organize a charity walk for Cozy Cat Cottage.

• Nothing yet.

16.  To join a CSA. 

• I just need to send in the paperwork.

17.  Learn how to can veggies and fruits.  Goes along with #16.

• This will not begin until fall.

So, not too bad.  I think I’m pretty much on target right now. 

So, here we are, 14 days into the year, and yes, I’m checking in on myself to see how I’m doing on my goals.   This is part of the SMARTER acronym that we talked about before in this post:

S – Specific (could also be significant, stretching)

M – Measurable (could also be meaningful, memorable, motivating)

A – Attainable (could also be achievable, action plans, accountability)

R – Relevant (could also be realistic, reasonable, rewarding)

T – Time-bound (could also be timely, tangible, thoughtful)

E – Evaluate

R – Re-evaluate (could also be reassess, revisit)

So, on to EVALUATE:

1.  To overhaul this blog and my other blog into one blog.

• I have purchased the domain name, Pretty in Orange.
• I have started work on it. 

2.  To participate in a 5k once every quarter this year. 

• I have picked the 5k for this quarter, I simply need to register for it.

3.  To learn Adobe Captivate.

• No work on this yet.

4.  To learn Pivot Tables in Excel.

• No work on this yet.

5.  To create and maintain my online portfolio.

• No work on this yet.

6.  To work out with Ashley (my trainer) at least twice per month.

• Need to get ahold of Ashley on this.  And congrats go out to her, as she is pregnant!!

7.  To learn about eating a raw diet. 

• Nothing on this yet.  I am looking for a book to learn about it first.  I am reading some blogs about raw eating.

8.  To make time for one dinner out per week with friends. 

• Nothing yet – had plans with Sara this week, but we ended up having to cancel.

9.  To answer emails in a timely manner. 

• This I am doing really well on.  I am committed to answering emails and my comments on my blogs within 48 hours of receiving them.

10.  To commit to walking, then jogging 4 miles per week.

• Last week I did 1.8 miles.
• This week I’ve done 2.5 miles so far.

11.  Financially, I am just surviving until I get a job.  So, I’ll revamp those and make financial goals after I get one.  If I ever get one. 

• Still no job.

12.  If I can swing it, I want to do some traveling this year.

• Nothing yet.

13.   Start to learn Italian. 

• Nothing yet.

14.  Volunteer at a local animal rescue on a regular basis.   

• Nothing yet. 

15.  Organize a charity walk for Cozy Cat Cottage. 

• Nothing yet.

16.  To join a CSA. 

• I just need to send in the paperwork.

17.  Learn how to can veggies and fruits.  Goes along with #16.

• This will not begin until fall.

So, while not an overblown success, I have started working on about 25% of the goals.  Not too shabby for 14 days into the new year.

How about you?  What are you doing to meet your goals for this year?

**I KNEW I was forgetting something – actually two things – so I am adding them!!**

This is the year of ENHANCE.  I want to enhance my health, my friendships, my career, and my blogs  with the following goals:

1.  To overhaul this blog and my other blog into one blog.  I am going to be purchasing a domain name (already chosen – and some of you know it, but please don’t mention it here because I don’t want someone else to purchase it first.)  I will convert most of the posts from here and the other blog over to the new blog.    I plan on doing that during first quarter.

2.  To participate in a 5k once every quarter this year.  I hope that by the end of the year I will be running in one.  Until then, I plan on walking it.

3.  To learn Adobe Captivate, which will assist me in my career as a Corporate Trainer and Instructional Designer.

4.  To learn Pivot Tables in Excel (finally!!). 

5.  To create and maintain my online portfolio featuring examples of training courses I’ve created.

6.  To work out with Ashley (my trainer) at least twice per month (obviously, I will also workout MORE than that on my own).  She keeps me going.  It’s $69/month, so that’s why I have to limit it to twice per month.

7.  To learn about eating a raw diet.  I don’t want to commit to one completely. Actually, I don’t want to commit to any diet completely – I am not into labels like that.   I plan on learning about the raw food movement first and then incorporating it into at least 3 meals per week.  I would like to start doing this in February.

8.  To make time for one dinner out per week with friends.  I love my dinners with The Vet – it’s kind of our thing.  But I want to show my friends how important they are to me as well.

9.  To answer emails in a timely manner.  People, I have emails from August 25th that I haven’t answered.  August. 25.  2009.  So, it’s my goal to answer all emails within 48 hours or less.

10.  To commit to walking, then jogging 4 miles per week.

11.  Financially, I am just surviving until I get a job.  So, I’ll revamp those and make financial goals after I get one.  If I ever get one. 

For example:  I purchased and read at least 52 books this year.  Actually, I know it’s more than 52, as I still have some that I haven’t read yet.  I am trying to decide if I should buy a Kindle or not (not that I have the funds right this second to do so.)  The books ran from $10 to $20/22, so even if I guesstimate a low average of $14 per book, that is over $750 in books.  And no, I won’t do the library – don’t ask me.  Anyway, if I bought the Kindle, that’s about $259, and then if I download as many books, it’s about breaking even during the first year.  After that, it would be a win.    So, I think I will purchase a Kindle this year to help the budget.

12.  If I can swing it, I want to do some traveling this year, more than just to the cabins with The Vet.  The problem is that I hate leaving him alone.  I worry about him when I’m not here.  But I’m thinking that there are tons of things in Columbus and in Ohio that I can do, things that I have yet to discover.  So that is a goal for me.

13.   Start to learn Italian.  I am determined to get to Italy someday and I want to be able to converse anywhere I go.

14.  Volunteer at a local animal rescue on a regular basis.  These places want folks to just come in and play with the animals to keep them friendly for potential adopters. 

15.  Organize a charity walk for Cozy Cat Cottage.  RRASK told Cindy we would do this last year but didn’t, so I’m determined to do it in 2010!

16.  To join a CSA.  Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a community of individuals who share both the responsibility and reward of a local farm. The farmers receive the benefit of a stable market,and its members receive the benefit of clean, safe,locally grown food. A true CSA has the value of community-building at its core.  For about $40 per week, I can get enough fruits and veggies for The Vet and I, plus some to can.

17.  Learn how to can veggies and fruits.  Goes along with #16.

This is the year of ENHANCE.  I want to enhance my health, my friendships, my career, and my blogs  with the following goals:

1.  To overhaul this blog and my other blog into one blog.  I am going to be purchasing a domain name (already chosen – and some of you know it, but please don’t mention it here because I don’t want someone else to purchase it first.)  I will convert most of the posts from here and the other blog over to the new blog.    I plan on doing that during first quarter.

2.  To participate in a 5k once every quarter this year.  I hope that by the end of the year I will be running in one.  Until then, I plan on walking it.

3.  To learn Adobe Captivate, which will assist me in my career as a Corporate Trainer and Instructional Designer.

4.  To learn Pivot Tables in Excel (finally!!). 

5.  To create and maintain my online portfolio featuring examples of training courses I’ve created.

6.  To work out with Ashley (my trainer) at least twice per month (obviously, I will also workout MORE than that on my own).  She keeps me going.  It’s $69/month, so that’s why I have to limit it to twice per month.

7.  To learn about eating a raw diet.  I don’t want to commit to one completely. Actually, I don’t want to commit to any diet completely – I am not into labels like that.   I plan on learning about the raw food movement first and then incorporating it into at least 3 meals per week.  I would like to start doing this in February.

8.  To make time for one dinner out per week with friends.  I love my dinners with The Vet – it’s kind of our thing.  But I want to show my friends how important they are to me as well.

9.  To answer emails in a timely manner.  People, I have emails from August 25th that I haven’t answered.  August. 25.  2009.  So, it’s my goal to answer all emails within 48 hours or less.

10.  To commit to walking, then jogging 4 miles per week.

11.  Financially, I am just surviving until I get a job.  So, I’ll revamp those and make financial goals after I get one.  If I ever get one. 

For example:  I purchased and read at least 52 books this year.  Actually, I know it’s more than 52, as I still have some that I haven’t read yet.  I am trying to decide if I should buy a Kindle or not (not that I have the funds right this second to do so.)  The books ran from $10 to $20/22, so even if I guesstimate a low average of $14 per book, that is over $750 in books.  And no, I won’t do the library – don’t ask me.  Anyway, if I bought the Kindle, that’s about $259, and then if I download as many books, it’s about breaking even during the first year.  After that, it would be a win.    So, I think I will purchase a Kindle this year to help the budget.

12.  If I can swing it, I want to do some traveling this year, more than just to the cabins with The Vet.  The problem is that I hate leaving him alone.  I worry about him when I’m not here.  But I’m thinking that there are tons of things in Columbus and in Ohio that I can do, things that I have yet to discover.  So that is a goal for me.

13.   Start to learn Italian.  I am determined to get to Italy someday and I want to be able to converse anywhere I go.

14.  Volunteer at a local animal rescue on a regular basis.  These places want folks to just come in and play with the animals to keep them friendly for potential adopters. 

15.  Organize a charity walk for Cozy Cat Cottage.  RRASK told Cindy we would do this last year but didn’t, so I’m determined to do it in 2010!

What is a focus word?

A focus word helps you zero-in on your commitments, goals, or resolutions.  You can choose one word for the year or a few words or you can change it up as your year goes along.   It’s all up to you.

Last year, I chose RENEWAL.   Why RENEWAL?

1.  I wanted to RENEW my commitment to my current friendships.

2.  I wanted to RENEW friendships through Crackbook.

3.  I want to RENEW my interest in my physical health.

Having that word meant that I didn’t have to remember every single goal word for word – it meant that I could focus on that one word, which represented those goals.

I posted about my focus word on Crackbook yesterday and received great response about it.  Here are some words that my friends have chosen:

• Excitement
• Revenge
• Focus
• Think Positive
• Create
• Improvement
• Balance

And, one of my friends even took the idea to her family, who each picked out a word.  They are making a piece of art out of it and hanging it on their wall so that they can be reminded of it.  How cool is that?!?!?

Which brings me to the subject of Inspiration Boards, also known as Vision Boards. Have any of you tried this technique?

An inspiration or vision board is a collage (remember those from childhood?  I remember my mom yelling at me for destroying her magazines before she had read them…and maybe a book or two) of images or sayings that represent your goal.

Inspiration boards started in the design world, as interior designers and clothing designers map out what they want to do in a project and add samples of the materials that will be part of the finished product.

It can be as simple or as fancy as you want to make it.  Here are some ideas:

For a vintage-style wedding

Things that make the creator of this one happy

Using focus words and phrases

You don’t have to use a board – you can also use a clothesline:

I actually really like the idea of the clothesline one, as you can change things out as you change your vision or find new items.

It’s also a great activity to do with your kids.

Back to your focus words.  If you are having trouble coming up with a word, might I suggest a thesaurus? If I have a concept in mind, but I can’t come up with the exact word I want, I often go to a thesaurus.

And that is how I arrived at my word for the year:  ENHANCE.  You see, I knew that I wanted to strengthen my physical body with workouts and bolster my career options with learning.  But neither of those words really captured what I was going for.  So, I went the thesaurus and there was my word:  ENHANCE.

Look for my next post, which will reveal my 2010 goals/resolutions.  I hope that you’ll share yours with me – even if it’s just your focus word. 

I had a lot of folks here and on Crackbook compliment my ability to make resolutions or goals and stick to them. I wanted to share with you my method of doing so.

Want to know the reason that most people cannot stick to goals or resolutions?  It’s because the goals/resolutions are not specific enough.

For example:

I resolve to lose weight.

That’s pretty open-ended, right?  I mean, what is making you overweight now?  What will you change to help you lose weight?

Or:

I am going to be more organized.

Really?  That’s great, but you forgot to say HOW you were going to do that.

Any time you tackle a project, it’s best to break it down into smaller, bite-sized tasks.  This will allow you to feel accomplished along the way, with even minimal effort.

One way to do this is to make sure that you are setting SMART goals:

S – Specific (could also be significant, stretching)

M – Measurable (could also be meaningful, memorable, motivating)

A – Attainable (could also be achievable, action plans, accountability)

R – Relevant (could also be realistic, reasonable, rewarding)

T – Time-bound (could also be timely, tangible, thoughtful)

So let’s put those concepts into play:

Again, you don’t want to just make a general statement. If you want to lose weight, that’s great, but how about instead:

• I resolve to cut out dessert during the week.
• This year I am going to walk a mile three times per week.
• This year I am going to add one green veggie to each meal.

Those things will definitely help you lose inches and pounds and they are SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE, ATTAINABLE, RELEVANT and TIME-BOUND.

We all want to lose 10 lbs by tomorrow, but it’s not realistic, nor ATTAINABLE in that time period.  Be realistic about what you can accomplish in a specific amount of time.

If you want  to take it down even further, commit to doing it just for a week or a month.  For example:

• During January, I resolve to walk a mile three times per week.
• During February, I resolve to walk a mile 4 times per week.

It’s easy to “fool” yourself into a habit if you think you only have to do it for so long.

When I first tried to give up ice cream, I set a goal of only eating it every other day, rather than being able to have it every day.  Then I dropped it back to only once during the week and once on the weekends.

Most of us did not go straight from being born to walking.  There are some folks out there who skipped crawling altogether, but the majority of us had to crawl before we could walk, and walk before we could run. We didn’t learn how to ride a bike without training wheels.

Be patient with yourself.  While some folks have said it takes 21 days to make or break a habit, I have found that it takes a good 5-6 weeks for me to do so.  It could be because I’m stubborn or maybe those folks were not quite right about the 21 days.  Either way, I have learned to give myself the time to make the changes.

Some folks have added an E and an R to the end of SMART, for SMARTER

S – Specific (could also be significant, stretching)

M – Measurable (could also be meaningful, memorable, motivating)

A – Attainable (could also be achievable, action plans, accountability)

R – Relevant (could also be realistic, reasonable, rewarding)

T – Time-bound (could also be timely, tangible, thoughtful)

E – Evaluate

R – Re-evaluate (could also be reassess, revisit)

I’m a firm believer EVALUATING and REVISITING my goals.  I try to do it at least once per quarter, if not more often.  That shows me where I need to adjust a behavior in order to meet the goal – or it might be that I’ve finished that goal and I need to set more.  Just because January 1 only comes once a year, it doesn’t mean you can only set goals or resolutions then. You could try doing it every three months or every six months as well.

I recommend writing out your goals, whether it’s in a notebook that only you see or on a blog for the world to see. Any time you write out a goal, it makes it REAL.  It becomes a promise to yourself. Otherwise, it’s just a “someday” idea floating around in your head that only shows up in your daydreams.

When you write out your goals, make sure that you write out the steps that will get you there.  For example:

I want to write a book.

That’s overwhelming to anyone.  That may be your ultimate goal, but how will you get there?

• I will write an outline of the first three chapters of my book by March 31, 2010.
• I will complete the writing of the first chapter by April 30, 2010.

Please feel free to use this simple document to help you set up your goals.

Goal Worksheet

Hope that this helps you in your goal/resolution setting.  I’ll be back with mine for 2010 tomorrow.

1  To join a health center with a swimming pool.  My knees are getting worse, as is my back (though nothing like what I had to deal with in late 2008).  This will allow me to exercise without putting weight on my joints.  I did and I swam as my primary exercise from February through September.  I then started working out on the treadmill and doing weight circuits. I have pretty much stuck with this goal, even though I’ve taken time off from the gym here and there. 

2.  Every month I will do something for a local charity.  And when I say local, I mean a charity within the United States.  Charity starts at home – for me that means that we need to fix ourselves before we can fix anyone else.  I set up a Charity of the Month page and published it on my blog.  I donated money each month.

3.  I will take the three Langevin seminars for which I am signed up.  Yes, it’s going to be a lot of money.  But it will allow me to obtain certification, which only makes me more marketable.  Sadly, due to financial constraints because of unemployment, I could not fulfill this goal.

4.  I will save money and calories by not ordering soda pop or iced tea when I eat out.  I have purchased a few packages of the single serving drink mixes, like Crystal Light, for bottle water, and I think they’ll work in a restaurant as well.  Have you seen the prices of soda pop in restaurants???   It’s about $2.99.  Yes, with free refills, but sometimes I only drink about half a glass.  That’s highway robbery. No, it’s interstate robbery.   For the most part, I stuck to this. 

5.  To really work hard at staying in contact with friends.  I let work take over my life while I was at The Law Firm.  I know that my new relationship with The Vet has done so.  I will not cheat time with The Vet, but I think we’ve moved through that we-must-spend-every-second-possible-together-so-that-we-can-get-to-know-each-other phase.  We’re comfy and cozy, which frees up some time for other people (wait, there are OTHER people in the world besides The Vet?!?!?!)  Thanks to Crackbook, I did this.

6.  To stick to my WeightWatchers plan.  This will mean I will have to watch every piece of food that goes into my mouth and ask, is it worth it?  Some days I know that answer will be FRAK YEAH!! Other days, I know I will be able to make better decisions.  Done and done. 

7.  To commit to writing on my professional blog three times a week.  I’m going to set a schedule and keep to it.   Major fail.  I just don’t have anything to say when I’m not working.

8.  I am going to only eat ice cream every other day.  It’s a start – I’m so addicted to ice cream that I will eat it when it’s -10 outside.  I’ll revisit this next month and see if I can take it down even further. I actually only eat ice cream maybe once or twice a month now.

9.  I am going to purchase a blender-type machine and start making Green Monsters.   Andrea of OHC and Bobbi of N Her Shoes make them as well.  I did so.  I am kind of off of these now, but I am doing other things to make myself healthier.

10.  I am going to make my meals have a ratio of 2 veggies to one protein.  Hmmm, I would say I succeeded in this about 50% of the time.  A lot of times, it ended up being starches over veggies.

11.  I am going to make sure that I have at least 2 servings of fruit per day.  I am doing pretty well on this one. 

12.  I am going to make sure that I work out for at least 90 minutes per day.  My plan is to divide this up into two workouts.  During the spring/summer, this was a no-brainer.  In the fall, as I did circuit training, I gradually worked up to this.  However, winter has not seen me in the gym much.

Overall, this was a pretty successful year.  I’ll be back with a post about setting goals/resolutions and how to be SMART about it.