Hello, universe! No, I am not dead....
I just took a year-long plus hiatus from the world of blogging/online journaling. Sometimes these things happen. Anyway, I have returned from my hiatus.
I haven’t normally been one for much official goal-setting, at least not of the "New Year's Resolution" variety. It always seemed a little artificial to me, and there are also all the jokes and comments about how New Year's resolutions seem to inevitably fail or be forgotten. Since I don't like the idea of setting myself up for failure and ridicule, setting New Year's resolutions hasn't really been high on my list of priorities.
It just so happens that this year I found myself wanting to make changes in my life and set goals right at the turn of the new year, so I’m going to be setting goals that could be viewed as New Year’s resolutions. These goals fall into several broad categories, and I’m working to make them specific and attainable while still being things that inspire growth and personal improvement.
Physical
I want to improve my overall physical fitness, with a focus on strengthening my core muscles and bringing my diet more in line with the principles found in the Word of Wisdom. I’ll be using the Core Program and body weight training in addition to my week-day walks, at least for a start.
A second, related physical fitness goal is bringing my sleep schedule around so I am waking up by 6:00 each morning while still getting at least seven hours of sleep. The net result of this will be me getting in to work earlier, which means I will be able to leave at an earlier hour and still have a goodly amount of time to do things in the evening. I know this will be a challenge for me--bedtime always has been--but I also know that I will be much better off by doing this.
Spiritual
I want to read (again) the Book of Mormon in 2012. Since the course of study for Sunday School this year is the Book of Mormon, as long as I keep up with reading each week I will read the entire book by the end of the year. I also want to read the George Albert Smith manual (Relief Society course of study) and Daughters in My Kingdom.
On the non-reading front, I again want to attend the temple at least once a month, and I want to do better at my visiting teaching. I know that both of these are very important things, and that I can do them.
Social
Hold game nights at least once a month. I have loads of board and card games, and they need to see more play time.
Write and post at least one blog entry a week. Need to stop half writing and never posting them.
Literary
Read 120 books this year, and have most of them be books that I already own (instead of books bought new that year) or books I’ve borrowed. A corollary goal is to only buy books in 2012 that I know I want to devote the shelf space to.
All of these are completely doable. They will provide challenges, but not overwhelming ones, and the overall result should be a more balanced life. I really desire that.
I haven’t normally been one for much official goal-setting, at least not of the "New Year's Resolution" variety. It always seemed a little artificial to me, and there are also all the jokes and comments about how New Year's resolutions seem to inevitably fail or be forgotten. Since I don't like the idea of setting myself up for failure and ridicule, setting New Year's resolutions hasn't really been high on my list of priorities.
It just so happens that this year I found myself wanting to make changes in my life and set goals right at the turn of the new year, so I’m going to be setting goals that could be viewed as New Year’s resolutions. These goals fall into several broad categories, and I’m working to make them specific and attainable while still being things that inspire growth and personal improvement.
Physical
I want to improve my overall physical fitness, with a focus on strengthening my core muscles and bringing my diet more in line with the principles found in the Word of Wisdom. I’ll be using the Core Program and body weight training in addition to my week-day walks, at least for a start.
A second, related physical fitness goal is bringing my sleep schedule around so I am waking up by 6:00 each morning while still getting at least seven hours of sleep. The net result of this will be me getting in to work earlier, which means I will be able to leave at an earlier hour and still have a goodly amount of time to do things in the evening. I know this will be a challenge for me--bedtime always has been--but I also know that I will be much better off by doing this.
Spiritual
I want to read (again) the Book of Mormon in 2012. Since the course of study for Sunday School this year is the Book of Mormon, as long as I keep up with reading each week I will read the entire book by the end of the year. I also want to read the George Albert Smith manual (Relief Society course of study) and Daughters in My Kingdom.
On the non-reading front, I again want to attend the temple at least once a month, and I want to do better at my visiting teaching. I know that both of these are very important things, and that I can do them.
Social
Hold game nights at least once a month. I have loads of board and card games, and they need to see more play time.
Write and post at least one blog entry a week. Need to stop half writing and never posting them.
Literary
Read 120 books this year, and have most of them be books that I already own (instead of books bought new that year) or books I’ve borrowed. A corollary goal is to only buy books in 2012 that I know I want to devote the shelf space to.
All of these are completely doable. They will provide challenges, but not overwhelming ones, and the overall result should be a more balanced life. I really desire that.