Where I want 2014 to take me

Every year I make New Years Resolutions and every year I get distracted and fall off pretty quickly (and by pretty quickly I mean approximately 7-10 days in.) I know that I always preach being easy on oneself, but I, like many people, am my own worst critic.  I also had this thought that this past year depression has had such a hold on me because I spent so much time focused on my unemployment and not on small things I could do to make me happier. So this year instead of resolutions, I've to decided instead to make lists of things. Lots and lots of lists. My first list is of places to see/things to do in 2014. Who knows if I'll actually get to do all of these things (especially with the on again/off again unemployment issue....yay government employee!), but thinking about this is a lot more fun than lack of employment.

• Go see a NASCAR race (only because it will make my husband happy)
• Ride in a swamp boat
• Go on a canoe ride
• Visit at least two waterfalls
• Go see Chimney Rock
• Take the velociraptor to Lego Land because Lego Discovery Center was a huge letdown

Where do you want 2014 to take you?

Random Review Friday: 52 Mondays: The One Year Path to Outrageous Success and Lifelong Happiness

 

I have a love-hate relationship with a lot of self help books and programs out there.  Vic Johnson's book, however, completely surprised me in a very pleasant way.   I read it today while I was dying on the elliptical, having come across it awhile back on the 'ol Kindle.  While I'm not sure he truly introduces anything new (the basic message is:  Get off your butt if you want to accomplish anything) his approach is definitely new and falls more on the pragmatic side.

The book is, as you can imagine, broken down into 52 different sections, one for each Monday in a year.  Each chapter builds upon the last so you get a little reminder of what your lesson for the previous week was.  There is a lot of what you'd expect from a self help book--positive encouragement, anecdotes from famous and wealthy, inspirational quotes--without all of the nonsense a lot of authors try to sell about our desires and wishes being enough to attract great things.  

Don't get me wrong....I strongly believe that our energy and thoughts have a significant affect on our lives, but wishing all day to be rich isn't going to get you there.  This is where "52 Mondays" is different.  It's angle is to get you up and going and keep you in motion as you work towards your goal.  

I know it's nearly the end of January, but it's not too late to start implementing these ideas into your own life.  In fact what better time than now as those all around you give up on all of those New Year's resolutions.  Here's a way to help you stay strong throughout the year.

Craft Fail: New Year's Resolution edition

When a crocheter tries to knit

One of my resolutions is to learn to knit, specifically to knit well enough to make us all (four of us) knitted stockings for Christmas 2013.  My goal for the month of January was to make 20 baby hats for the hospital Little Bit was born at.  Above is what happened when I attempted to combine the two.  EPIC. CRAFTING. FAIL.  Perfect hat for the temporary cone head, I suppose, post birth, but after that--awkward poof.  Oh well...practice makes perfect I suppose.  Time to start frogging...On the bright side, knitting this poor hat took me away from my computer nearly half the day, and cut into my obssessive Face Book checking, so I guess it wasn't a 100% total wash.

The New Year is Fast Approaching!

Welcome to my new blog! I'm so excited about the coming year and I hope you are too. It promises to be a year full of exciting changes for me personally and professionally as well.

I've spent the past week enjoying the break from Boring Day Job and have spent far too much time on the couch. Luckily I've been able to read for a few clients over the past few days to break up the nonstop eating that seems to go on when I have too much time on my hands.

The New Year is traditionally a time of change.....or at least attempted change. Very soon (if it hasn't started already) many of those around you will begin to make BIG promises about resolutions for the new year that will die a quick and guilt-ridden death. If you find yourself in that same boat, I appeal to you: Please stop the insanity! Getting into shape, eating better, reading more, volunteering, getting out of debt [insert your goal here] are all good goals, but reaching them and better yet, maintaining them are nearly impossible without moderation. Moderation is the key to making realistic change in your life. Here are some key points when starting toward your new year's resolutions:

• Start Simple--the simpler the change, the easier it will be to maintain. Want to finally start that vegan, lactose free, gluten free diet? Pick one area at a time to slowly eliminate from your diet.



• Think hills instead of mountains--a series of smaller, realistic short-term goals is far easier to obtain--want to loose 50lbs? Set a goal for five.



• Rewards--Living on a strict budget to get out of debt? Create a series of milestones along your debt repayment plan and reward yourself for reaching your goal.



• Don't give up--OK, so say a month and half into your diet resolution Valentine's day rolls around and you find yourself gorging on that box of chocolates or you sleep through three morning work-outs in a row. Your resolution is not dead! We all slip from time to time....give yourself leave to be human. As the cliche goes, tomorrow is, after all, another day.
  
  
  I hope you all have something wonderful in your life, and if not that 2012 brings it to you. Blessings in the New Year!