Goals for 2012

I really enjoy setting goals, especially since becoming a mom. I think because the task of parenting is so incredibly daunting to me most days, and the goal of parenting often seems intangible, difficult to measure and impossible to obtain, I nearly crave goals that are otherwise.

So, at the start of each year, I take stock. As I consider the present circumstances, I anticipate the future possibilities as best I can given all things remain the same (which, of course, we all know they do not!) :)

This year, my hubby made what I felt was a rather brilliant suggestion in regard to my 2012 goals. It was prompted by a TED talk he listened to and applied a couple months ago. You can watch/listen to it here: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days.html

To me, 30 days seems more doable than 365. Call it cynicism or age, but I don't reach for the stars quite as quickly and often as I used to. I hesitate. I count the cost. And, I usually say, "Nah; I'll take the path most traveled, thank you very much." :) Nevertheless, I'm hoping that some of the things I attempt in the following 30 day challenges may just "stick" and last beyond 30 days, maybe even 365 days. We'll see!

Mostly for my own sake, I am going to list my goals, what I am calling my "30 day challenges, here. At the start of each month, my plan is to write a separate post detailing that month's challenge(s), the why behind it, and the plan for executing it successfully. My hope is that publishing my goals on the world wide web will be some incentive to actually sticking with the challenges.

January:

• Make 50% of what I eat- raw food
• No extra spending

February:

• Encourage hubby/No criticism
• Read for leisure 15 minutes daily

March:

• No soda
• Memorize one Bible verse a day

April:

• Write for blog 15 minutes daily

May:

• Wake up by 5:45 am and stay awake! Go to bedroom by 9:30 pm and asleep by 10:30 pm
• Pray for leaders daily

June:

• Work outside 15 minutes daily

July:

• 15 minutes daily improving a space in my home in someway (execution, not brainstorming)
• 30 days of work on "glutes."

August:

• 10 minutes with mommy one on one for fun, daily

September:

• Write encouragement daily to 30 different people

October:

• Repeat a 30 day challenge

November:

• Write down a thankful list daily

December:

• Give something away daily

I'll post more about January's goals tomorrow. ;)