Tuesday, January 1, 2008

no firm decisions

I'm not one for making resolutions—they seem so looming & domineering—but I'm all for setting goals. So, I present to you my manageable list of five goals for 2008:

1. Read ten books (not children's) cover to cover. I read a lot of bits of books, magazines, professional journals and what-not, but I don't make enough time to just enjoy a book. I think 10 is a nice achievable goal—just under one book a month. I'm looking to read some classics that I've missed out on as well as some newer books. Any suggestions?

2. Create and maintain an exercise plan. I want exercise to be a regular (and pleasurable) part of my life. I've fallen out of the habit. Cardio. Strength training. Stretching. All of it. I have a feeling this one will take some effort.

3. Continue to reduce debt. I have some plans in my head. I just need to execute them.

4. Be more connected. This is relatively broad in scope but they're my goals so I can umbrella them if I want to. I just want to make sure I'm staying connected to those people who are important in my life. I have a friend who I saw far too little of last year and I don't want that to continue. This also includes the mind/body connection which I've been ignoring. Meditation. And whatever else I want to shove into the realm of "connectedness".

5. Eat more nutritiously. More cooking and being prepared. Less eating out and making the wrong choices. I love good food. I love to cook. It's just a matter of staying aware of what I put in my mouth. Easy enough. Right?

12 comments:

Cupcake Blonde said...

This sounds like a great list and very manageable. Might be something we all should try.

Bob said...

I used to read a lot more books, but have slacked off the past couple of years. I guess it depends too on what genres you are into. Some authors I've enjoyed over the past few years are: Jonathan Kellerman, Robert Tannenbaum, Steve Martini, and Patricia Cornwell. The last one writes a lot of CSI type novels, the main character being a Chief Medical Examiner. The others are crime/mystery type writers.

I need to exercise more too. And eat healthier.

Fantastagirl said...

I think we all need to eat healthier, and - well your entire list seems like a good idea.

The Ferryman said...

I would make some resolutions, if only I could see any need to improve...

Anonymous said...

Read Stephen King's Dark Tower series. I recently re-read it, and it took about 3 months of hard-core reading. It's over 5000 pages alltogether. Very very very good, though.

For a quicker read, try An Arsonist's Guide to Writer's Homes in New England. Just get a library card. It will keep you occupied.

Lisa Armsweat said...

The idea of "goals" rather than "resolutions" is awesome. I'm going to try to think of the changes I want to make this year in that way, too...thanks!

Have fun in 08! Can one of your goals be "post more pictures of Gideon", too? (I'm just sayin'...that boy is cute.)

Anonymous said...

*standing ovation*
Good list! Great plan! I'm here for ya!

Mel said...

If you like fantasy fiction, I recommend the Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop. Vegas loved them too :)

Good list, good luck!

Tim said...

I need to know some good books too. I've read Jacob talk about the Dark Towers before and I came pretty close to buying it the other day, but it was too overwhelming.

Holly {ArtistMotherTeacher} said...

vp—Join in on the fun.

nobody—I'm familiar with Cornwell but that's it. Maybe I'll check one of the others out.

fantastagirl—Thanks. I thought it seemed manageable.

mr. fab—It must hurt to be so perfect all the time.

tf—I remember reading It in the sixth grade (before the movie came out) and it being so big. That Stephen King sure is a wordy SOB.

cruel shoes—I'd be happy to post more pictures of Gideon. I didn't want to post too many and have everyone thinking, "Oh great. Another picture of her kid."

shades—Thanks for the support. Don't you have enough on your plate right now with your life happenings?

mel—Not familiar with that series.

tim—That is a lot of pages. JQ has actually read 3 of the books—a long time ago. He says they are good.

Lynda said...

I should do a lot of these things too. Especially the reading and exercise.

Hillary said...

If you're looking for a good classic, I just finished reading The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. Check it out.