A little late - but a new year!

I am not a fan of New Year's resolutions. I just don't see the point.

I mean, in theory, it's a grand idea: plan and put together ideas, and try to set them into motion and live by them for a full year. Awesome.
1) Loose weight/go to the gym/diet!
2) Stop swearing!
3) Quit snacking on junk food and soda!
4) Be nice/smile at strangers!
5) Be on time/more organized!
6) Be nicer to my family/spend more time & attention at home.

I could go on, but I'm sure we all get it. And I'm sure at some point, we've all made a "resolution" loosely based around one, if not more, of these.

But then... the inevitable happens. You go to a bridal shower and pig out. You're not feeling well for a week and skip out on your exercise plan. You forget to pack a lunch for work, and eat out of the vending machine instead. You don't have time to look up from your phone as you walk down the street. It's too early, and you just need ONE MORE TIME with the snooze button. That new desk at the store is a little too pricey. Your kids aren't picking up after themselves. Your husband doesn't rinse the dishes when he puts them in the sink.

We are all guilty of giving up on our resolutions, and if you're in some crazy majority that isn't... well, I need a lesson from you. Do you offer classes?

For me, personally, I just feel like it's easier to make a list of goals, and divy them up. Some are long-term, some are short-term, but the idea is to be honest with myself about a timeline and when I think I can accomplish them. (And of course, I save the "simple" ones on a list of things to remember to try to do daily!)

So... here goes my list, and here's to slowly working towards crossing things off, one by one!

Short-term:

• Contact someone in admission in a local school to look into adult education programs. CHECK
• Have my baby in a drama-free, relaxed setting.
• Look for a new job with part-time opportunities so I can spend more time at home with my children.
• Check into purchasing a house on my own. CHECK
• Continue working to better my credit. CHECK
• Enroll Ave in soccer or t-ball for the spring. CHECK
• Put up more pictures in my home of my children/family. CHECK
• Start scrapbooking again.
• Run the Pittsburgh half-marathon the first weekend in May.
• Make healthier/more organic meals for my family.
• Put myself on a budget and make a plan for saving money.
• Work harder with Pampered Chef - explore options of this as a career.
• GET MORE ORGANIZED. Omit as much clutter as possible from my home/life.
• Encourage my children's creativity.
• Encourage my own creativity.
• Be more supportive and positive.

Long-term:

• Go sky-diving.
• Climb a mountain (preferably a big one).
• Travel to foreign countries, just because.
• Take my family on a Carribean vacation.
• Graduate from college.
• Look into a doctorate program.
• Get involved in a local theater program.
• Have a garden where my kids can grow some fruits and veggies.
• Build/remodel something.
• Buy a new vehicle because I LIKE it, not because it's convenient or cheap.
• Take my family to Disney.
• Go on a cruise.
• Have a career that makes me proud.

Obviously, lists work best for me, because I can keep track of my progress. Maybe they'll help you too? And I can add to them as time goes on... or adjust them as I see fit. Good plan? Good plan!