Karen Foley
Lynn Raye Harris
Ellen Hartman
Diana Holquist
Samantha Hunter
Shirley Jump
Dee Tenorio
Jeannie Watt
The Resolution Lady Is Back
It’s close to the end of February, so I’m checking in to see how the year is going. If you missed my last resolution post, here’s the deal. I’m checking in at the end of each month to see how we are all doing with our yearly goals. Research shows that writing down a goal great increases the likelihood of achieving it. Goals need to be checked and periodically adjusted, so this is your opportunity to take a moment and reflect on what you have accomplished and hope to accomplish. Besides that....there are prizes involved. I am filling a gorgeous Barnes and Noble canvas tote bag with goodies and giving it away on January 1, 2010. In order to be eligible for the drawing, you need to be a registered Cigars member and post a reply to four resolution blogs over the course of the year. If you reply to six of the blogs, I’ll put your name in the drawing twice. There will be a blog at the end of each month.
I’ve decided to try something a little different this month. I’ve read that it’s good to have yearly goals, monthly goals and daily goals. Personally, sometimes I have hourly goals. Like right now my goal is to put away the clean laundry within the hour. But I digress. I would like to find out what your goals are specifically for the month of March. Here are mine:
1) I will finish the first draft of the book I’m working on. I’ve hit a rough spot. My last two books pretty much flowed out of the ends of my fingers as I stared at the computer screen and this book is requiring more discipline to get the words on paper. Cop On Loan was a tough book to write, even though I really enjoyed writing it, and this new book is pulling the same tricks. I just need to get strict with myself and not go online when the going gets rough.
2) I will not drink alcohol until I’ve lost five more pounds—except for my Wednesday evening (one) beer date with my friend Rox before mosaics class. (Nothing like a Blue Moon before cutting glass with a friend.) It’s become a tradition and I’ll let it stand. But other than that, nada. I don’t drink enough to pack on weight from the alcohol, but I do tend to eat tons more when I have an evening glass of wine. Also, I fall asleep. This is seriously impeding the progress of the new book.
3) I will stay off eBay until payday. I bought two vintage cast iron Japanese teapots this month, and although they were both good deals, it’s time to stop shopping. I notice a correlation between plotting problems and a sudden urge to shop for vintage teapots.
4) I will put my winter clothes in the spare bedroom closet in an orderly fashion and try to find my summer clothes, which were not put away in an orderly fashion.
I think I can accomplish these goals without driving myself too crazy. The theory is that I’ll be so busy writing and organizing my closets that I won’t miss the evening glass of wine, or antique shopping on eBay.
What do you plan to do this month?
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I'm still on February...
I love your goal to put the laundry away. That would be enough for me.
For the third week in a row, my weekly goal is to turn in this proposal to my agent. It's only Wednesday, right? I have time. But honestly, I could work on this proposal another whole month. I so badly need deadlines...
Diana--I need deadlines,
Diana--I need deadlines, too. I've tried telling my husband that I will have my proposal/first draft/whatever done by a certain date in order to create a pseudo-deadline environment. And then he has the audacity to actually remember the date and ask me why I'm not done yet. Pseudo-deadlines aren't the same. They help, but they are not suitably terrifying to really push me to the max.
Good luck with the proposal.
cool post
I think this is a great post idea. as we all need to stay accountable and keep on track with our goal or before you know it 2010 will be here and i will have accomplished nothing i wanted to. Been there, done that right!
1. By the end of march i will have completed the first draft of my short contemporary, then let it set two weeks before doing revisions. It's been going well, but i'm coming up short on my word count.
2. A friend of mine just had a heart attack, and his wife is in real trouble with bills, no insurance and major hospital bills, and no savings. this month i will get organized, get my bill book set and keep up with our finances better so i know where i can cut expensea dn put more in our savings, so we'd have some cushion just in case.
3. also i will work on finding better, healthier recipes for my family, to help keep us in better physical shape. And hopefully help my husband and i to shed some unwanted pounds as well.
That's all i have for now, i think. But that's enpough for now.
happy writing, and keep healthy.
jody lynn allen
Excellent idea--getting the
Excellent idea--getting the finances together now. And good luck with the short contemporary. It's a great idea letting it sit before revisions. I'm always amazed at what I spot after a few days that I didn't spot before. Sometimes sucky writing is a lot better than I remembered (and unfortunately, that also works in reverse.)
Great idea, Jeannie
I was over at my niece's house last Friday, and we all noticed that she and her new husband did a neat thing -- they have a little white board posted in their kitchen and it was a short-term life "to do list" -- it seemed to span maybe over the next year or so, the stuff that they want to do, accomplish, and some very funny items as well, and we all got a kick out of reading it, but I also thought it was pretty cool, and a good idea, to have that written reminder right in the middle of the kitchen. I may be picking up a similar white board this week for me and Mike and our general life goals, too. Not the huge ones that may never happen, but doable things that we keep circling around but don't always do.
But, for March:
Finish my Blaze novella out March 2010, but it has a March 2009 deadline. I'm only 30 pages from done, but have been distracted. So, will get back to that and finish.
Keep taking longer walks. I was getting too much hip/knee pain from trying to run again, so I am done with that. I am obviously not meant for that particular exercise. But, I can easily take 3-4 mile walks each day, doubling my usual 2 mile walk, and it's actually better and more exercise. Dogs like it, too.
I'd also like to finish a first draft of my new mystery proposal and get it to my agent, but I'm trying not to put pressure on that goal -- I want it done right, not necessarily quick. So I would say I'll promise to keep working on it, but it's done when it's done.
Make eye and some doctor appts that I keep putting off and keep making progress on sewing projects.
Sam
Sam--I love the idea of the
Sam--I love the idea of the white board. I may have to play with that one. I love writing things down. And...hip and knee pain comes from having the wrong type of shoes and running on a treadmill can affect this, too, because it can mess up a person's natural stride. That said, I am all for walking rather than running. I used to be a power walker (6 miles in 1 hour 12 minutes is my PR) and walking is much more strenuous than running...which is why I run.
Treadmill
I had a feeling that could be the case... I don't like the treadmill, and felt better running on the trail, but with our seasons, it's a pain, literally...I may also need to lose another 20-30 lbs to take the weight off my poor joints, but we'll see. I'll stick to walking, and maybe just throw some jogging in there when the spirit moves -- however, I didn't know walking is more strenuous than running? Really? Somehow that seems so counterintuitive to me, as running has always been so difficult...
Sam
I'm talking power
I'm talking power walking--the kind where you look ridiculous and cover some ground. It's more work on the arms and abs than running and works different muscles in the thighs. After walking my 10K, I had sore arms for days. Every now and then when we're running a race, I'll power walk for a while. I travel at the same speed as I run, but it wears me out, so I start jogging again. And speaking of speed walking, have you ever watched Walk, Don't Run, the Cary Grant movie about the Olympic speedwalker in Japan? It's a hoot.
ah yes. :)
My former editor is into that, I think. I probably top out at about 3.5 mph, but it varies. Some days are faster or slower. I actually run at 4-4.5 (5mph on the treadmill would be an all out run I'd be able to just about keep up, LOL), which Mike thinks is hysterical, as he runs at 6 or 7, but what can I say? 4 mph is a very fast walk or a jog, and I probably have a relaxed walk of about 3mph.
Sam
The slower you run, the more
The slower you run, the more you tone your muscles. We would make our cross country team run an LSD--long, slow, distance--at least once a week because it's a muscle builder. Speed is great, but slow tones you.
um I think I need to revise
that goal of not getting as many books because this month 170 books entered the house, but I did get all the food cupboards wiped out. I got sweeping and mopping and wiping done the other day. I was also upstairs for part of the day doing friends laundry(driving truck so not home for like 2-3 weeks) will go up tomorrow and finish. Also helping another friend put tags on her books at a book tracking site.
I never sort winter and summer cloths, a) cause don't have room and b) weather has been so crazy
Christa--170 books! I am
Christa--170 books! I am impressed. Good work on completing some of the housekeeping goals. I should do my cupboards, too. I have to sort my clothes or I wouldn't have room. I use those suction bags to store them.
Goals
I just finished Kristan Higgins's book, Too Good to Be True. It inspired my new goal.
1. Find a place to buy good pastry and eat some. That is all. ;-)
I'd make that an hourly goal if it was at all feasible.
Ellen--I did make the pastry
Ellen--I did make the pastry thing my hourly goal, which is why I am now not drinking alcohol until I lose the 5 lbs.
Goals
My goal is still to loose some weight. So far have not lost a lbs. Better luck this month.
Good luck on this! :)
Good luck on this! :)
Goals
Not much in the way of goals here. Just to try to keep my house clean and NEAT. I have papers all over and really need to get a handle on getting rid of them. I am long overdue to wash my curtins. Keep putting it off.
Oh how I hate curtain
Oh how I hate curtain maintenance! I took mine down and had them dry cleaned quite a while ago. They are still in the dry cleaning bag.
March Goals
I committed to losing 26 lbs this year and I'm a bit behind (I've only lost 4 lbs so far) so my goals for March are:
1) To renew my commitment to working out EVERY DAY. Even if it's only for 10 minutes on my non-Curves days. I hope to extend this time but 10 minutes is my new goal.
2) To hem the pants I convinced my DH to buy me in Dec. "Oh, no, I don't mind hemming them!" They're still in my closet, unworn.
3) Since I have to hem my pants anyway, I may as well fix the split in the comforter I saw on Sunday as I changed the sheets (I may do this one before March) and fix the hem in my skirt that I caught my heel in yesterday.
4) To continue looking for a new, permanent position but not just take the first thing that comes along.
5) To have faith in Faith. If I would let go more, I'm sure more things (perfect new job?) would come my way.
6) To contact some friends I've not stayed in touch with as much as I would like. I reached out to someone recently and it was a wonderful thing. So my goal is to write to one friend every other week just to see what happens. (Look out, Sam, one of these letters may be headed your way!)
ani
Hey
Have at. I always enjoy letters from friends. :)
What is it about hemming? I just hemmed dh's karate uniform, and it was no problem, but it's one of those jobs I find myself putting off. I also fixed a split in our comforter, LOL. Must be a universal thing. I think it's because fixing is so less interesting than creative sewing. Unless you can find a creative fix. ;)
I hear you on faith in faith... boy, is that one I remind myself about.
Congrats on the 4 lost and the workouts!!!
Sam
Okay if I write it down will it get done?
I really need to get working on income tax stuff--I really need to do it. Should have done it in January.
If this stupid cold weather would go away, I need to start taking daily walks again. My dh and I used to walk at least 6 days out of 7 but things interferred and we stopped and now I need to get started again.
I really need to do some household chores that are piling up.
I will settle for at least getting my last half of my plants watered this afternoon before they die on me.
I still haven't visited a used book store this year but I think I still bought more books than I have read but not sure until I do my February totals on eHarlequin.
Income tax
I just went down to front office and asked for rent reciept(we finally had a day where it was above freezing, 3C) so I should have everything by end of week then just mailed off to bil and income tax done.
I am definitely in the buying more than I can read catagory, but good news is I have books by all the Cigars Regulars now :-)
Taxes....argh. We cleaned
Taxes....argh. We cleaned out the desk when I collected my tax receipts and even though I know I put the envelope somewhere logical, I cannot find it. I can get duplicate recepts for most of the big things, but what a pain. Of course, it'll show up on April 16th.
I hope the weather cooperates soon. It's rotten being cooped up.
These are wonderful
These are wonderful thoughtful goals, Ani. Very inspiring.
I still have just one goal
I still have just one goal for the month. To eat healthier, so I can lose more weight.
Go, Estella!
Go, Estella!
Goal #3
I totally agree with goal #3. I have a habit of browsing on eBay and buying stuff I don't need. I haven't even begun to think about when and how I'm going to store my winter clothes.
Resolutions
I am going to finish clearing out the clutter in our computer room and get that room organized in a way that people won't just clutter it up again.
I am going to find some healthier snacks for everyone that they will actually eat.
Jane and Maureen
Excellent goals, ladies.
Oh good, monthly goals!
I'll forget about those yearly ones for now. I suspect the only reason I've been good and not used toxic cleaning products is because, well, I haven't cleaned much.
March: Finish The Book That Ate My Brain. I don't know why this one is proving such a challenge to write! I was planning to finish in in February, but that's clearly not going to happen ;-)
Do Sun Salutations and Tree Pose every day. Even if the sun isn't shining and the trees are still shivering in the cold.
Eat fruit and vegetables. So far I haven't had a cold ALL WINTER LONG. This is a record. I really should be touching some wood.
I hope I manage at least #1!
BTW those cast iron teapots are awesome. There's a store near me called Teavana where they sell new ones. I gave one as a Christmas present to the nice lady who lets me ride her horse. I bet the shipping isn't cheap--those things are heavy!!
Jen
http://www.jenlewis.com
Hi Jen,
Funny you should mention shipping. Oddly it costs less to ship a cast iron teapot from Massachusetts to Nevada than it costs to ship one pair of yoga pants in a big envelope from Colorado to Nebvada. Go figure. I'm suspecting that the shipping for the yoga pants is slightly inflated.
Way to go on the fruits and vegies and the yoga. I've been doing yoga for a few weeks and my body feels so much better in the morning.
Good luck on the book. I'm experiencing the same thing.
Jeannie
1) finish making rags for dh
1) finish making rags for dh out of worn out/old clothes, sheets, etc.
2) get caught up on e-mails
3) get more boxed items for yard sale this summer/spring
I like making goals and making 'to do' lists.
Good list, Buddy. I've
Good list, Buddy. I've resorted to just putting the old rag stuff into a hamper and letting dh whack off what he needs for whatever he's doing. Not the best way to do it, but right now it'll have to do, lol.
Love the idea of breaking it down
into monthly goals like that! I always do the big January goal for the year and by February forget all about it.
I will say that moving into a new house has forced me to make my goals. Because I had to pack and unpack, I've had to become organized as I put everything away. It's been pretty awesome, actually. So my goal this month is to finish all my unpacking on the main floor (the basement can wait till I meet my deadlines) and maintain the organization that I have going already.
And to get more exercise. That writer butt keeps growing ;-)
Shirley
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
In Stores Now: THE BRIDESMAID AND THE BILLIONAIRE
www.shirleyjump.com
Hi Shirley--Isn't it great
Hi Shirley--Isn't it great to unpack and organize? Mainly because it forces the issue, I think. Last time I moved, though, it took over a year to get the pictures up on the walls. I was waiting for the perfect moment, but finally discovered it was never gonna happen.
Jeannie
Good idea, Jeannie!
Making a monthly goal, rather than trying to tackle the yearly goal should make it seem more manageable, right?
Uh, I'm still feeling a bit overwhelmed! ;) The yearly is to declutter the guest room, so maybe this month's goal should be to tackle some number of boxes in it--three? (That isn't even going to make a dent... yikes! Guess I have to start somewhere!)
And that laundry just keeps on coming... *sigh*