Friday, December 13, 2013

Why You Should Panic

It's December. Pretty obvious but think about it. It's December. One more year down the drain. Have you completed anything this year like you promised yourself? You made resolutions last January. Like me, I bet you didn't stick with them.

I never start out the year with complete goals listed in my head. I don't make resolutions. I can disappoint myself or get discouraged any time of the year.
Realistically, resolutions are almost always opportunities to fail. To wrap yourself in the guilt and self-loathing of failure. Berate yourself for not having the willpower when you haven't lost 35 pounds by the end of January. We set ourselves up for failures all the time. We don't need a special day or time of year for that.

Instead of making a resolution the first of the year, try making a small resolution each month. And don't make them impossibly hard. That's setting yourself up for failure. It's silly. If someone else wanted it from you, you'd be angry at their expectations.

December is pretty much over. But for January, I'm making a resolution. Not for the entire year, but for the month only. I'll make a new one in February. Mine has to do with editing/writing. I have it narrowed down to two possible resolutions; finish editing the guardian angel story (plus find an actual title for it) or publish the short story that's been almost finished for a while now.

What are you going to pick for a resolution this coming year?

18 comments:

  1. I have learned to pick a theme over a resolution. My theme for 2014 is 'Creative Expansion'.
    What I like about this is that it is a state of being that allows freedom for the doing. Your point about resolutions is spot on! Have a marvelous weekend!

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    1. That's a fabulous idea. I'm thinking something like "Growth" would leave a lot of room for any goal I'd like.

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  2. I have actually done well with some resolutions and not well at all with others. I haven't even stopped to think of what m y 2014 goals will be, honestly! I need to get through Christmas first LOL

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    1. I might be avoiding thinking about Christmas. It's too close, and I haven't begun to really shop!

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  3. Hmm, I have several, but the biggest of my personal goals is to complete both a half and full marathon this coming year. I haven't sat down to make the monthly goals for that yet, I need to get on it!

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  4. I have huge goals for the blog. I just published my first book! Pretty excited. Now I'm going to work on promotion and building my blog.

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    1. That's fantastic! I'm looking forward to checking out an excerpt of the book. What's the name of it?

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  5. After years of disappointment and (like you said) setting myself up for failure, I've decided to only set five large goals for the entire year and then make small, achievable monthly goals. In 2013, my resolution was to establish a blog, keep in better touch with friends, make new friends, assist more often with my children's school activities, and read at least one book every six months. I succeeded with every goal and felt proud of myself. I haven't established my large goals for 2014 yet, nor my goals for January. I like to reflect and think about that after Christmas...once my brain is settled down. Great post by the way!

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    1. Congrats! You have every right to be proud of yourself. I think mini-goals are the way to go for me too. I like Natalie's suggestion about a theme. That can encompass so many goals and not feel like a ton of pressure.

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  6. Don't be too disappointed of being failed as it is better to try and fail rather than not to make at all. I didn't make any resolution last year. I have been completely different today than last year. Last year I wasn't a blogger yet. Well, Making more real and narrow goals are much better rather than make the goals as a dream.

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    1. There's a delicate balance between making achievable goals and putting undo pressure on yourself. We all have to find the balance that works for us.

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  7. Life this year for me has changed tremendously! Even though the changes were needed, they were not always easy. Unfortunately, divorce is that way. So for the new year, it is making a better life for myself and my daughter... it's up from here, and it's going to be a great 2014! :)

    ~Lorelai
    Life With Lorelai

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    1. I strongly believe that a positive attitude influences your life and how you react to adversity. Sounds like you're facing the new year with the right outlook!

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  8. I'm still working on goals from 1980! haha.. true story. I do find once I write them down, put a plan into place I am much better at attaining my goals. I love the way people are outlining goals in categories and am working on that (right now in my head), will 'maybe' post or just privately hang up on a board.. and yes, a board.. a vision board will be one of my early on goals to help me get to the other goals :)

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    1. The thought of a vision board perked my interest. Or maybe I was thinking of cutting and gluing like a fifth grader, and it sounded like a blast.

      What goals are you working on from 1980? That's hysterical. I thought I was behind!

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  9. I like the title Guardian Angel, but I'd love to read what other titles you're thinking about, too. A resolution a month is a great idea!

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    1. I'm not sure why I'm having such a hard time with a title for this story. The main character is an artist. I was thinking something like Painted Hero or Painted Love. Those sound very much like romance though. It's borderline chick-lit and romantic comedy. I tried brainstorming, too. Nothing has sounded fantastic to me.

      I've tried all the suggestions about taking a theme from the book, a memorable line or writing down adjectives. I wonder if naming it Untitled would fly!

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