2013

Tucked in the front folder of my planner- which I take everywhere with me- I keep a list of goals jotted down on a piece of notebook paper. The list starts out a calculated set of goals for the year, a modified list of resolutions, but as the year goes on I continue to add, cross off, and edit as necessary. Some of these goals are lofty and noble, whereas others are simple or silly, and others are merely projects I want to accomplish during the year.  Here is a sampling of some of the goals I accomplished during 2012, in no particular order. There were many, many others on the list. Some I part-way completed, others I never even started on, and still others I just failed to mention here on the blog:

-own and wear red lipstick
-add at least 1 accessory every time I leave the house
-run a half marathon (OK, the race got cancelled, but I ran 11.5 miles on my own, so I can halfway cross this one off)
-read 20 books
-make earring holder
-sew skirt
- get rid of 5 things a month (admittedly, not all of the items have left the house, but they are in a get-rid pile!)

I have done this method of goal-making for at least 4 years now, and I find it to be quite motivational. For starters, I enjoy the mix of serious and seemingly trivial goals- it keeps me trying all sorts of new things to better myself for an entire year, without getting overwhelmed by one or two big, life-changing goals. Throwing in some easy-to-accomplish goals is also quite encouraging as it allows me to be able to cross something off the list and feel productive, ready to tackle the next project. I also find it helpful to carry the list everywhere with me. Whenever I think how fast the year is flying by, I can whip out the list and see what I have accomplished and what I need to work on- it keeps me focused. 

And now, after revisiting 2012's list looking for some stragglers to carry on to 2013, and after giving it much deep thought, here are a few  of my goals for the upcoming year, which of course will probably be added to and/or edited by tomorrow:

- blog 4 times a week
- run a half marathon race
- go on 2 dates a month 
- read 30 books
- keep nails nice
- host garage sale (aka, actually get the purged stuff from last year out of the house)
- make wedding album, and either family "yearbooks" or trip albums

What goals, resolutions, or projects do you want to accomplish in 2013?