My friend Michelle Butler of the Healthy Writer Blog talks of setting goals for the new year rather than resolutions. Setting goals seems…well…healthier and more achievable than resolutions. I’m afraid most resolutions go the way Kristine Hughes and Victoria Hinshaw of Number One London treat them (those veritable slackers!). Resolutions can be broken but, no matter what, we can always strive for a goal.
So here are my goals for 2011
1. Read more.
I was truly in awe of the number of books my fellow Riskies read. I’ll probably never even approach their totals, but my goal is to read more than last year.
2. Write more.
My writing slowed down last year and I want to pick up the pace. My goal is to write at least two books in 2011, preferably 2 1/2.
3. Exercise more.
I’ve slacked off my attendance at Curves and my goal is to attend at least three days a week again.
4. Eat more….fruits and vegetables, that is.
It seems like every Halloween my good eating habits go begging (hee hee) and I dive back into candy again. From there it is just a slippery slope. My goal is to get my eating back to what is healthier for me.
Those are modest, doable goals, aren’t they? These are matters that are under my control, unlike the goal of eliminating poverty or creating peace in our world. I wish I had control over that, but I don’t.
How about you? What are your goals for 2011?
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Diane, we have very similar goals! I agree it’s important to make some plans along with those goals, not just “exercise more” but “three times a week” as you wrote.
I’ve been doing more reading, writing and exercise and want to continue that trend. I’m also going to try to get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. When I’m tired, I compensate by overeating.
My main goals:
1) Stick to Weight Watchers.
2) Start exercising…though I haven’t seen the Wii Fit disk since we moved, oh, six months ago, so I guess I should start with “find disk.”
3) Write faster, and finish both the manuscripts I’m currently working on.
4) Read 12 of the research books already on my shelves before buying any more.
Elena, after I posted I thought that I should have added “Sleep more.” I have developed terrible sleep habits, like all my other terrible habits.
Susanna, I should join Weight Watchers again. I did well with them a few years ago and Michelle Butler has done fantastic with them. I also had to smile about the research books comment. Good luck with that one!!
Good goals. And very do-able.
Go Diane!!!
You “guys” inspired me to read more too. Between library Friday and Borders yesterday I have five titles to read!
Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote – so wonderful
The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
Soulless by Gail Carriger
and White Oleander & Paint It Black both by Janet Fitch.
I had brunch yesterday with two friends, and one of them told me that she and her husband made a resolution to go to at least one museum a month. One of the lovely things about the Washington DC area is that there are so many wonderful museums that span so many different interests (from space to textiles to art to dinosaurs and much, much more). Even better is that so many of them are free. Those of us who live here tend to take them for granted, so I think it’s awesome that my friend made this resolution.
I was disenchanted with resolutions and goals, so now, I give myself Christmas presents: Physical health, eating more fresh foods and fewer frozen dinner and walking/moving 30 minutes a day 5x a week; Writing, finish and look into publishing the self-help book that’s half done, and finishing two romance books; God’s plan, endeavor to seek more earnestly God’s plan for me; Forgive myself; End the negative tapes, which was on the list last year but still working on it; Continue Just-Because-It’s-Tuesday presents; and actually use my food storage so it doesn’t go to waste like the last time I did this.
Jane George, I’m glad I’m not the only one who was inspired by the prolific Risky readers! I read Breakfast at Tiffany’s long time ago, after falling in love with the movie.
Susan/DC, that is a great resolution your friend made! I think I might add it to my goals. One museum a month and I mustn’t make it always the National Gallery of Art.
Judy, I love the concept of Christmas presents. That really is what our resolutions/goals are, aren’t they? Because our lives are improved by accomplishing them. I loved your list!
I’ve been working out every day since Christmas although I do give myself one day off a week. My goal is to be able to do the treadmill for an hour (I’m up to 35 minutes) and then I’m going to go crazy and try P90X. I hear it’s intense, but it works and I used to be a ballerina so I can take a workout.
I also want to find a job since I got laid off in August. I have a job interview at Catholic University of America on Friday. I have a really good feeling about it.
As for reading more I’ve read three books since January 1 and am starting a fourth. Plus I’d like to finish my first novel of which I have 31,000 words. I’ve got an idea for a second and while I don’t really ever see myself getting published or making a living by writing I’m having a good time. It feels great to write for fun again. I wrote tons when I was in high school and my freshman year, but then it all became about academic papers and stayed that way through my first masters. Now I’m having fun writing for me even though my two novels have a decidedly academic flare.
I hope all the Riskies have a great new year.
My main goal is to maintain my weight since I’ve lost almost 30 pounds since July (HCG drops, most awesome secret of weight loss).
I am also 10 years behind on scrapbooking for my daughter. I hate it and I had most of the pictures categorized and grouped, but the file tipped over. 🙁 So, I would really like to work on that in the next several months.
I’m getting stressed just reading about YOUR resolutions. I applaud your spirit and wish you success!
Great resolutions all! I especially like the “read more books” resolutions 🙂
Mine are also to get more exercise and get healthier this year. I’ve been doing well the new bike, and I’m hoping to step up the yoga classes. I’m also hoping to get further along in my massive Netflix list
Amanda, I forgot to tell you. My dad bought me Lark Rise to Candleford Season 1 on DVD for my birthday. I haven’t watched it yet but I’ll let you know.
Rachel, I so hope you get the job at Catholic U!! Do you already live in the DC area? Are you a member of Washington Romance Writers? If not, you should join!
Deb, I googled HCG drops right away! (who else did the same thing?)
Kristine, I think you need a drink!
Hello, Riskies !! I have missed you all ! I was down for over a week with double pneumonia, but I think I am on the mend. Still feel weak, but I can breathe now!
Great goals, O Divine One !!
I, too, want to read more this year.
I want to finish at LEAST two novels this year (One rewrite, one from scratch.)
I need to borrow that goal of reading more of my research books before I buy anymore.
Take better care of my health !
Diane, Rachel is actually the person you normally know as Jane Austen, so I do not live in DC. I live in PA. But I am hoping that I get the job at CUA as well. I would definitely join WRW. I was chatting with Marie Force several months ago and she said joining would be very helpful if I moved down. I’m very excited.
Rachel!!!! You just do this to confuse me, don’t you? I would LOVE IT if you get that job at Catholic!!!!!
Louisa!!!! Double pneumonia???? You better take care of yourself. That’s scary. I’m glad you are feeling better.
Oh..I just bought two more research books. I could not resist. Read about them on Number One London
Saw those books on OneLondon! I may just have to break my goal this ONE time! Those books sound scrumptious!
I am still on antibiotics, but I am back at work. Going for a check up with the doctor tomorrow.
Reading more is always a good one 🙂
Be less negative.
Declutter – one section at a time because my whole house needs it.
Donate more books so I can buy more books 🙂
Lose a few pounds!!!
catslady, I like the declutter goal. What a good one!
Forgot to mention my resolution: to give people the benefit of the doubt more often. This, uh, failing was lovingly pointed out to me by my dh. He’s right. So I’m giving it a shot. At the very least I’ll be more positive.
I might be the only person who has the goal to read less. I read too much and that took away from writing time. I also want to read less romance so that I may read other books more. I’m taking up a TBR challenge to read through my shelves rather than simply acquiring more and more books.
My exercising goal is daily on the new exercycle (yay, Ammanda!) and yoga twice a week.
I have a writing goal, too: MOAR!