Resolutions? They're More Like Guidelines

I don't usually set New Year's Resolutions for the simple reason that I don't think the new year is any more of a perfect time to set goals than today or yesterday or later this afternoon.  As I stated in my last post, I see the New Year as a great opportunity and reminder to take a moment to reflect on the past year of your life and see what was important and what needs tweaking.  I thought it would be fun to make a goal guideline list-thing as something to check in on every month.  The hard part of making general goals for a whole year is that I don't really know where I'll be or what I'll be doing for the whole year.  I have a plan for what I'll be doing through the summer, but what of the other half of the year?

I watched this great vlog on Kris Carr's inspiring and peppy site.  There were some great points about the whole resolution/goal setting thing.   First of all, that you have to really want that change.  If you don't really, seriously in your heart, want something about you to change then it won't.  Forget the "should."  Maintaining the desire is the key to actually accomplishing a habit change.  The spark has to be there, but so too does the fire with the hot, slow-burning, coals.  Another point made in the video is that you shouldn't worry about tomorrow.  Think about today and set a daily intention.  If it is a harder addiction that you're trying to break or change then just focus on staying present that very hour; just get through the next hour.  Take it one step at a time.  "The key is the subtle shifts."  So true!

I broke my goals up into 4 categories for simplicity's sake.

FINANCIAL

Stabilize.  One thing that comes with moving around a lot is lack of stability.  Surprise.  So, I'm getting tired of being broke, another surprise, and my goal for this year is to commit to a job.  I'm actually quite good at saving my money, not a perfect saver by any means, so sticking to a job and a place would be a welcomed shift for me.  I don't know if that would mean a normal job or if it would mean something that I create.

BUSINESS

Personal.  Yup, I'm talking about the blog, my soon to be live website, and my yoga and food classes.  I want to actively grow this part of my life.

HEALTH

Consistency.  I want those healthy habits that I preach about and that make me feel so great to be part of my lifestyle.  They have become stronger habits every month and every year and I want to cultivate that more.  Small steps lead to big changes, so that's what I've been doing for years.  I just want to keep it up. Yoga. Gym. Food. Fun.

PERSONAL

Fun.  This ties into that important word at the end of my last blurb.  Fun.  Play.  I want to enjoy hobbies.  Roomy and I got rid of our internet in the apartment, so I have plenty of time to do things I love without the lure of Netflix or other virtual distractions.  I've been working on a puzzle, which I brought back for both of us to play with (when was the last time you did a puzzle?  It's so rewarding and meditative!).  I have a big book that I've been reading.  And I have a forgotten paint-by-number I'd love to finish.  There are some bigger hobbies I'd love to get involved in as soon as possible.  Dance and video editing.  The things I loved and spent so much time on in high school.  It has been too long.

I'm satisfied with these overview goals.  Each month will have subgoals that compliment these big ones and help me get closer and closer and closer....Until!  Until what?  Until I feel more balanced, stable, and grounded.  That's what I'm working toward at this time in my life. What is the point of your goals? What are you working toward and why?