Last month, I posted here about setting our annual goals, and a bunch of you weighed in with your dreams and aspirations. How are yours going? How’re you doing on those goals? Did you set up some kind of intermediate goals so you could inch toward them every week and month?
Nah, me neither. I mean, I DID. I all but built spreadsheets, I was so motivated. It’s easy to feel that way in January. But now I’m working fulltime (writing this post in 2011), babysitting my wonderful amazing granddaughter, and my productive time tends to occur in three one-hour periods during the nine hours I’m with her. Working people, I feel ya!
But guess what? Since I have so little dedicated brain-time, I have to make sure I use what I’ve got, and so every night when I pack my briefcase, I ask myself, what one or two tasks could I knock off tomorrow? As a result, I’m actually pretty focused. I finished my book (again), submitted the entire manuscript to two contests, and am halfway through an online class with Writer Mama Christina Katz. I’m not tracking on Weight Watchers, but I’m packing 2/3 of my meals into a lunch box and taking it to “work” every day, so I’m maintaining my weight goal.
Some things I’m not doing. I’m not going to the gym, for example, but I think I get enough exercise using the stairs and caring for my granddaughter. You remember how much you get up and down off the floor with an infant? Carry them in one arm while warming a bottle with the other? Etc. So I’m counting all that.
Anyway, I hope you are inching incrementally toward your goals. If you’re having trouble getting started, just pick one thing you would like to see done in six months and figure out what you can do once a week to move in the right direction. Then tell us about it, and check back in and tell us how you’re doing. I think we’d all feel more motivated, knowing you’re out there kicking the can down the road, too. There are no heroes here, just a bunch of hardworking sisters who want to do better.
How are you doing?
I forgot what I goaled! Aackh. Using the phone was one, and I found that if I actually turn it on, it’s a better communication tool. I spoke with my sister yesterday (lovely conversation, too long apart) and I didn’t rush to Verizon’s site to find out how many minutes I used. My goals were not ambitious and I applaud the wonderful women here with real accomplishments whose success is assured step by step.
Each year, I write a “Letter of Commitment,” which is a contract I have with myself. I choose five areas and write a “how many by when” explanation. So I wouldn’t write “I will lose five lbs.” Instead, I’d detail what my food intake would look like and then have a date(s) by when that would happen. I’m very realistic. If I declare it, it is something I am capable of.
Renee (lifeintheboomerlane), your blog is supercool, and your books look fascinating as well. I’m glad you dropped by. Ladies, if you’ve got a minute, check out Renee’s work at http://lifeintheboomerlane.wordpress.com/
And you got freakin’ BETTY FRIEDAN to blurb your book!?
(http://www.amazon.com/Saving-Best-Last-Creating-Lives/dp/1440133743/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297128034&sr=1-1
Okay, I am now blatantly envious. Way to go, girl!
Oops, I forgot the url is: http://boomerwomenwiseandwonderful.com/
You were reading my mind – I was looking for the link. So now that I’ve quickly scanned it, my first impression is (1) great graphics and (2) can’t wait to read the post! Good job, Vonnie.
Hey Lynne,
I’m working on one of my goals right now. I’ve transferred my current blog from Reflections of a Boomer Babe to Boomer Women Wise and Wonderful. My goal is to bring more health, beauty, fashion, you name it news, to my fellow baby boomer women.
Your subscription may have transferred with my blog but if not, I hope to see you over there. Bring your friends too. 🙂
Thanks for your continued support.
Hi Lynne,
I’m slowly inching my way towards all those lofty goals I had set a month ago. Here goes:
1. I will be attending The Christian Writers Guild Annual “Writing For the Soul” Conference 2/10/11-2/13/11 in Denver (weather -permitting!)
2. I have developed a logline, synopsis and a few sample chapters to discuss with agents at this conference. At least I’ll be prepared and even if I just “practice my pitch” on a few agents, it will be worthwhile.
3. Met with my financial planner to review retirement options and have formulated a plan, not finalized but in process.
4. Maintaining Weight Watcher weight with varying degrees of challenges, always!
5. Social Media skills~ still need lots of work but am maintaining my weekly blog and a few tweets here and there
6. Participating in another Memoir Workshop with Linda Joy Myers (NAMW) and can feel my story taking shape. ..miles to go but a start
7. Still working on that ever- elusive balance with family, work,writing,etc
Glad to hear all is going well for you and look forward to staying connected!
Blessings,Lynne!
“Kicking the can down the road,” wonderful way to express daily life, Lynne!
And if you need some Dakota or Wyoming inspiration, here’s a book you might enjoy at amzn http://www.amazon.com/Leaning-into-Wind-Women-Write/dp/0395901316
You may have already read it. Leaning Into the Wind: Women Write from the Heart of the West. I loved it. Not a new book, but a wonderful book!
So re your question on goals for the new year, well, I stay flexible … let life point me in the right direction. Listen to my intuition. Take things one day at a time. Enjoy times of stillness, remembering that slow is good. With so much pressure from society, friends, family to always be “doing,” let’s counter that with just “being.” It is enough!
Have a lovely weekend … sending Dakota vibes your way! –Daisy @ http://www.daisyhickman.com
WELL! I took three steps forward AND THEN. …two steps back!
I did learn something though, after reading an excerpt of
THE MALE BRAIN, ( Dr. Louann Brizendine.)
She says “the male brain is a lean, mean, problem-solving machine.
Faced with a personal problem, a man will use his analytical brain structures,
NOT! his emotional ones, to find a solution.”
I have always had the tendency to get sidetracked!
Onward, without the drama!
Rae, just hearing that you’re still trying gives me energy. Thanks for checking in!
I like your idea of choosing one or two tasks a day to accomplish. I have a list that is very daunting and I never get much of anything done during the week. My adult ADD kicks in and I get all befuddled and bedazzled or whatever. But if I picked just one task instead of looking at the whole list…well…I might be able to do it. Thanks for the idea. We’ll have keep each other posted. 🙂
Vonnie, (Great pic BTW), I am a scatterbrain, and while it lends creativity, I can go a million miles an hour in ten directions and end up with nothin’. So I try to always have one or two priorities at the top of my mind. If at the end of the day I only got one thing done, hopefully it’ll be related to them. PS I can’t think without a tablet in front of me! Like the pen and paper are the thought-wranglers.