Americans and Mormons are both groups of people that believe in self-improvement and goal setting. We laud people who are "self-made," who dream the impossible dream. This can run amok at the beginning of a new year. In sitting down to determine what my resolutions for 2012 should be, I came up with more than a dozen possible goals in just five minutes. These goals range from physical (exercise, lose weight), spiritual (attend institute, read the scriptures consistently), social (spend more time with family and friends, have more dinner parties), financial (bring lunch to work, save more, follow my budget) to political (getting involved with President Obama's re-election campaign, reading more political articles).
Would I like to achieve all these goals? I would LOVE to! Completing all of these things would make me awesome and well rounded. I would be more interesting, kinder, better looking, and politically astute. The trouble is, I don't have time to do all of these - I will burn myself out and just get down on myself. You may be a better resolver than I am, but I simply don't have the resources to do all of them.
Generally I have trouble following New Year's Resolutions. The years in which I have been most successful are the years when I have had only one resolution or when I have written down the resolutions. In 2011, I did fulfill two of my resolutions: I read one "free reading" book per month (well, almost - I skipped August because I was working 70-80 hours per week) and I also bore my testimony in sacrament meeting once. I have decided this year to only have three resolutions, and to share them with you. I have picked resolutions with specific timeframes and measurable outcomes. I will then periodically follow up with you, my reader (note the lack of plural). What are your new year's resolutions?
Here are my resolutions, in no particular order:
- Physical: Exercise at least 4 times a week for at least 45 minutes.
- Spiritual: Pray every day, both morning and night.
- Entertainment: Watch one new movie per month, either in a theater or on DVD.
Maybe I should just make a resolution to be as cool as my friends who helped make this video?
Would I like to achieve all these goals? I would LOVE to! Completing all of these things would make me awesome and well rounded. I would be more interesting, kinder, better looking, and politically astute. The trouble is, I don't have time to do all of these - I will burn myself out and just get down on myself. You may be a better resolver than I am, but I simply don't have the resources to do all of them.
Generally I have trouble following New Year's Resolutions. The years in which I have been most successful are the years when I have had only one resolution or when I have written down the resolutions. In 2011, I did fulfill two of my resolutions: I read one "free reading" book per month (well, almost - I skipped August because I was working 70-80 hours per week) and I also bore my testimony in sacrament meeting once. I have decided this year to only have three resolutions, and to share them with you. I have picked resolutions with specific timeframes and measurable outcomes. I will then periodically follow up with you, my reader (note the lack of plural). What are your new year's resolutions?
Here are my resolutions, in no particular order:
- Physical: Exercise at least 4 times a week for at least 45 minutes.
- Spiritual: Pray every day, both morning and night.
- Entertainment: Watch one new movie per month, either in a theater or on DVD.
Maybe I should just make a resolution to be as cool as my friends who helped make this video?
You're awesome, Diana! Happy New Year and thanks for the inspiration to make some attainable resolutions!!!
ReplyDeleteI came up with about 8 which I've managed to do for 3 days so far. I tend to overdue resolutions and then miss a few and get discouraged. Unlike you, I have resolved to read less political literature. It makes me angry and takes up too much of my time. Also, I realize that a lot of it is like watching reality TV, which I loath.
ReplyDeleteT - Thanks for reading, you're awesome!
ReplyDeleteEd - maybe we're using the term "political literature" differently - I'm not talking about the stuff that is on CNN.com or other fluffy or biased coverage, I mean more the serious political analysis type of coverage - in depth magazine articles, etc. I can understand your frustration, though!
When you need someone to exercise with let me know. A walk around the cemetery near my place is most enjoyable when it's warm outside. I'm all for a new movie a month! Let me know what you pick. And you are more than welcome on any of my outings on my Birthday list.
ReplyDeleteKara, I think the walk may have to wait until the wind chill temperature is above 10 degrees! Unless we want to be permanently joining those in the cemetery! But yes, I will include you in any movie plans, knowing that you are a movie buff! :)
ReplyDeleteThree resolutions has always been a realistic number for me. Way to go, Diana! And I love your positive outlook in your subsequent posts, too. I'm inspired!
ReplyDelete