For many years I’ve been in the anti-resolutions camp.
I’ve often thought resolutions were just another way to feel like a failure. My perfectionist self didn’t want to set a goal knowing I wouldn’t complete it 100%. But now I feel like it’s better to meet a goal by even 25% than not try at all.
I also think I had some weird spiritual ties to resolutions. If I made resolutions, how was that leaving room for the Holy Spirit to work? I’ve changed my mind on this. First off, couldn’t it be the Holy Spirit leading me to these resolutions in the first place? I mean, Satan’s main plan is to steal my joy and destroy every good thing. That sounds like the complete opposite of a resolution.
Perhaps by having some spirit-led resolutions, I was actually in line with the Holy Spirit. Why not plan some things that make me healthier and bring joy? And I’m pretty sure if I write down a resolution that needs tweaking or even wiped out along the way, the Holy Spirit will guide me.
Also, New Year’s resolutions are what my personality type lives for. I live by checkmarks. If I write something in my notebook and put a checkbox by it, by golly I’ll work to check it. Sometimes I even write something down and check it off after I do it. Making a list and working to complete it is just who I am. I’m not sure why I was trying to fight my personality just because someone else doesn’t think they’re a good idea. Some people would rather die than live by a check list but that’s me and I shouldn’t fight it. If that’s not you, that’s totally ok!
However, my StrengthsFinder results indicated that while I’m good at making lists, I’m not good at celebrating when things are done. I think by writing these down and sharing, even the silly ones, I can be held accountable here and report back. It forces me to stop and celebrate accomplishments.
Most of the goals I’m concentrating on are very practical, every-day decisions. I’m not making major life goals here. They might LEAD to major life changes, but the habits themselves aren’t huge.
I shared the list with my family and asked them to add any family goals. Scott’s first addition was, “My goal is to have a bowel movement every day.” He thought it was hilarious. And yes, he’s the reason I don’t ever take myself too seriously.
He did actually have some good ones to add and got on board with some of mine. The kids added a few too.
After praying over the list, here are my 2014 goals:
Financial
- Make one extra house payment
- Save x amount for a new vehicle
- Pay for Scott’s back surgery, if needed. Ouch.
- Replace our swimming pool. Ouch.
- Fund travels (Great Wolf Lodge, Allume, Summer vacation, Anniversary trip)
Health & Fitness
- Work out 30 min/day, 5 times a week (I’m already admitting this will be tough)
- Continue AdvoCare supplements
- Stay off sugar as much as possible, aka, don’t eat ice cream every night
- Floss every day (Gah. Why can’t I do this?)
Writing/Blogging
- Guest post once/month
- Write 500 words every day
- Post at least 3x/week
- Read 3 books about writing/blogging. On the list right now: Bird by Bird, Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook, 2k to 10k, Writing About Your Life
- Attend Allume
- Schedule weekly brainstorming sessions
- Keep an editorial calendar
- Schedule a 24 hour brainstorming/writing session away from home
- I have a fuzzy goal around writing a book but nothing solid yet. I’m hoping the goal to write 500 words per day will drive me toward solidifying this.
At Home
- Learn to can something (Canners, what should I can?)
- Buy one sewing pattern and complete the project (I got a head start on this and bought a pattern on Tuesday for an apron)
- Plant a garden again this year
- Create scrabble wall art for our hall
- Make hall room signs
- Complete a starburst bracelet on the Rainbow Loom (Courtesy of Emma. I’ve failed at least 4x’s)
- Get a landscaping plan for the back yard
Relational
- Have coffee 1x/month with a friend
- Continue to host small group 1x/week
- Have a family over for dinner 1x/month
- Have family game night on Tuesdays (we have Taco Tuesday already)
- Go on 2 date nights/month
- Start a conversation journal with Emma and Lexi and write in it at least 1x/week
- Go on an anniversary trip since we totally bombed our 15th last year
- Write our Compassion kids 1x/month
Reading
- Read 52 books
Spiritual
- Continue to attend church and host small group weekly
- Memorize Scripture – looking at James right now
- Complete The Promised One (1 month left) *
- Complete Jesus 90 Days with the One and Only (3 months) *
- Complete Whispers of Hope (2 months) *
- Complete David (2.5 months) *
- Complete Chase (2 months) *
- Host/attend IF conference in February
- Attend Allume in October
*The specific devotionals may change, but I have these available to me already.
The one thing I know is this year is going to hold a lot of events I can’t even begin to prepare for.
Is this the year we’re going to adopt and I won’t have time to work out 5 days a week?
Will one of us change jobs and we have to skip summer vacation?
Will something unexpected happen at our house and we can’t buy a swimming pool?
YES, lots of unexpected events will happen and that’s ok. In fact, the unexpected usually produce the best parts of the year. Even if they’re hard, we learn and grow a lot.
I’m reminded of some very wise words in Proverbs 16:9: A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
So, I’m holding these plans loosely, asking God to direct my steps. No matter what we face in 2014, I’m confident He’ll guide us through and be with us.
I can’t wait to dig into these and share how it’s going along the way. My little check-marking fingers are itching to get started!
In the meantime, what do you think about resolutions—do they excite you or scare you off?
Linked with 5minutesformom.com
1. That is a LOT of goals!!! (And pretty much how long my mental list is – and my written list of past years is!)
2. Flossing is overrated. Says me, not my dentist, who thankfully just accepts me as I am.
3. Wanna guest post for my blog? Email me if you do. (No prob if you don’t!)
Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect recently posted…Rewriting Resolutions with One Word
I know, after I read through the list, I was thinking it seemed like a lot. I need to break it down to daily/weekly/monthly and really see if it’s doable. I *think* it mostly is.
Flossing is terrible. I don’t know why though. It takes like 25 seconds.
YES, I was going to email you to see if you needed a guest post during maternity leave. Let’s think of something. Maybe I will during one of my brainstorming sessions 🙂
I think you just inspired me to set some goals and write them down. I typically only set goals in my head. I know it’s great to see them on paper and then see accomplishments. A couple of years ago I started writing down things I needed to prayer about on a regular basis, and then later was able to see how God answered them. It was really motivating and made me feel how important it is to pray every day and for specific things.
Yes, I should have put on there to write my prayer requests down too. I was doing that for awhile and then stopped.
I’m not really sure what it is other than I feel like my brain is on overload with all that is coming in 2014. I definitely wrote down resolutions/goals mainly because I felt like a scatter brain and just wanted to get some organization to it all. I also found it great to be able to have a list and pray over it. I’ve read enough books and testimonies to believe there is a huge benefit to writing things down. This year God is definitely ‘NEON-SIGNING” that I need to really embrace prayer journaling. I’ve dabbled in it but this year I’m suppose to make it a priority. I’m looking forward to this year! Praying it is another Banner Year!!!
Well, moving is one of the most stressful things ever so I’d guess you might be on overload.
The prayer journaling is something I want to get back to too.
This is an awesome list! It looks a lot like mine, actually. Do you use wordpress? The calendar plug-in is awesome for scheduling/planning posts. And let’s see… you should can something easy, like peaches or tomatoes. Or jam — which you could just stick in the fridge if the cans don’t seal for whatever reason.
Sarah @ Beauty School Dropout recently posted…January Goals, and December Goals in Review
Yes, I’ve tried that plug-in but for some reason just couldn’t get into it. As techy as I am, I think a paper calendar actually works best for me.
Oh, I always have a ton of tomatoes–I can do those!
For your canning pleasure! http://www.beautyschooldropout.net/?p=999 Blanching to get the peels off is the most annoying part, but a necessary evil.
Sarah @ Beauty School Dropout recently posted…January Goals, and December Goals in Review
OK so I did freeze tomatoes the last 2 years so I’m familiar with at least the first steps. The freezing of it makes it watery and weird. I think canning is going to be the preferred method. Obviously. Thanks!
First, SO excited to see you at Allume again this year 🙂 Second..um…I’m totally making a blogging/writing goal list now. That is amazing…though most of mine will be things like “update About page” and “make consistent buttons for community links” 😉
Crystal recently posted…Five Minute Friday: Fight
Crystal, I haven’t bought a ticket yet, but I’d really like to go back!
My blogging list is actually much longer but those are things I definitely want to practice/do this year. And yes, you should totally have a list!
That’s a lot of goals! And you were so much more organized about it than I was…I’m all, drink more water, read 30 books, etc…lol
But they are all wonderful goals to work toward, and I’m sure you will accomplish them! (side note: back surgery? yikes!)
Stacey recently posted…Visiting the Workshop
Thankfully it looks already like he might not need it!