It occurred to me when I made resolutions this year that I might do a better job of sticking to them if I checked back in on them periodically. The first quarter of the year has come to an end. In fact, it flew by so fast that I’m astonished that April is here, but it feels like a natural point for a progress report. Tonight I bring you the first installment of ResolutionWatch 07.
I had 10 resolutions for the year.
And here is how I’ve done so far:
#1, have more of a financial plan…not so much progress on this one. I’ve been sending extra money toward our mortgage each month, and I got a brochure about Roth IRAs, but that’s it. Next resolution, please!
For resolution #2, I’ve been trying very hard to be neater. I’m not sure if John agrees with me or not, but I think I’ve been doing a better job of keeping the kitchen clutter free, and cleaning off the desk in my office and filing away mail each weekend. We reorganized all our books and took a bunch of stuff to Goodwill. And this weekend I put all of our photographs in to albums. That was actually a lot of fun.
#3 was reach out to others more. I’d say I’ve been halfway successful here. It’s a start, but I need to keep working at it.
My 4th resolution was to sign up for a writer’s workshop. I poked around online, and found one that might be interesting. I haven’t actually signed up for anything yet. I’m saving that for the summer. I wouldn’t want to rush through all my resolutions in the first half of the year.
#5 – Work on being a better boss to my employees. Well, I have two more direct reports now than I did in January, but that doesn’t mean I’m any better a boss. Just a busier one. I’d say some days I’m more successful at being a good boss and mentor than others.
#6 is one where I have been very successful. It was do more to help others. In January, I sent a bunch of toys to Children’s Hospital as part of Beth’s Small Change idea. In March, I raised $140 and participated in a bowl-a-thon for Junior Achievement. And February’s donation is a little different. I decided I wouldn’t buy any books in the month of March, and then I would donate all the money I didn’t spend (based on what I did spend on books in February) to a charity. I made it through March without buying any books – way harder for me than it sounds, and I did use a gift card to pick up two books, which may or may not count as cheating – so now I just have to pick the charity.
#7 Write in this blog more frequently. I don’t know. I’m probably posting about the same as I always have. I get busy, I get tired, I get uninspired. I should be more disciplined.
#8 – Worry less about what other people think. Recently, someone at work mentioned that I have a blog in a meeting, and someone else asked me point blank what my url was. I always worry that work people are comparing me to Amy, who is a former co-worker, and obviously a way more popular and successful blogger than I am and finding me lacking. But then I remind myself that I like who I am just fine and I don’t want to be Amalah (although I would love to get the volume of comments she gets. Who wouldn’t? Yes, I know, I’m not supposed to care about comments. Just call me a comment whore.) So, maybe some progress here, and maybe not.
#9 Try new things. Well, I tried a spinning class, and loved it, so that was a success. I still want to try a kick boxing class, but I haven’t made it to one yet. I have a couple of books that go outside my usual genre, but I haven’t read them yet. I will. Soon.
And finally, #10 – finish losing weight already. I still have 20 pounds to lose. You have no idea how badly I want to be done with dieting and into maintaining my weight loss. I’m not there yet. I have lost a couple of pounds since the beginning of the year, but holy crap, it is taking forever. I’m actually starting a six week focused burst on Monday to see if I can get my weight loss speed pushed back up past glacial. It will involve lots of exercise and lots and lots of healthy eating. Not that I don’t eat healthy now, but I could be a little stricter with myself. Particularly if it is only for a six week burst.
Did you make resolutions? How are you doing with them?
Sounds likeyou are doing pretty good to me!
I constantly struggle with comparing myself to others and worrying what others think about me. But, I found you through Amy, so she can't be all bad!
My resolutions are pretty much a bust at this point. I need to do a similar post checking in on mine.
Comment whore! :)