Looking forward to 2012: Goals, Speculations and non-Resolutions
Jan. 08. 2012
With the holidays ending in hopefully merriment, cheer, full bellies and celebrations; the end of the year also brings the thoughts of what is in store for 2012. I know, personally, I am constantly looking forward to “the next thing in life.” I do try to appreciate everything I have now, and enjoy “the now,” but there are always personal and professional goals I want to accomplish. From tasks at homes, learning new projects and how to use certain programs (for example Photoshop has been one complicated thorn in my side!), to volunteering more, to running more races and drinking more water, to selling more houses and building better/more helpful systems within my business.
How do I balance it all? This year I felt stretched to the absolute max…but only at certain times. I like being busy, I really do. I often find it hard to balance work, fitness (because while it is something I find important I do find it enjoyable as well), and all the social functions (from birthdays to seeing old friends and catching up, to real estate luncheons and happy hours)…the calendar fills up quickly)!
There are some people who have made the same resolution year after year (I may be guilty of this). Here are the top NY Resolutions!
There are some people who refuse to make resolutions because “there is no point.” (I have never done this).
What I have done is unsucessfully followed through with most of my New Year’s Resolutions. That’s why I don’t think I want to call them RESOLUTIONS. I prefer goals.
Perhaps this year I should break down each goal, like I have to do with most projects and objectives, in order to complete them. The problem with this method, is that like most goals that I want to be held accountable for…(the tracking and time consumption of recording or doing the actual deed that leads me to the overall goal) but quite time consuming and difficult. {sigh}
Some of my past NYE Resolutions:
- Drink more water
- Lose weight
- Exercise more
- Be more positive
- Stay in better touch with friends
- Increase my business
Now, let’s take a look at why the above resolutions were unsuccessful…perhaps because they weren’t defined by that infamous acronym we went over in junior high when we discussed our goals- SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound). I won’t get into each specific goal and how I could break it down even more to accomplish the goal, but perhaps when you decide to make a resolution for next year…or maybe just a few things you “vow” to do this year that ‘lil acronym will come in handy 😉
I don’t want to share with you ALL my goals and wishes for 2012, because honestly most of them would bore you to death–if you are even this far down in reading my post, I commend you. Plus most of my goals have been on my list of things to “get better at” or “do more of” for years. What I find somewhat incredible is when your “five year goals” slowly start coming to light because those five years are expiring.
Which brings me to one of my 2012 goals I am adamant about doing. I am not exactly sure how, or exactly when…but I am DETERMINED that in 2012 I WILL go out of the US, and hopefully to London or Paris! I told myself: December is my deadline for applying for a passport. I looked up everything on what I need, and while I thought it was a submission online with some documentation, it looks as though I have 6 days left to get myself down to the office and get me signed up to receive a passport! (Yes I realize it will be a while to get one, but that will give me time to figure out where to go first!)
I don’t try to live in”regrets.” But I am somewhat regretful I have never traveled. It makes me really question why I have worked as hard as I have and as much as I have and not seen even half of the things in this world that I want to see. Not only have I not seen several US cities that I really want to see, but I haven’t even been out of the US! <insert pity face now>..well, I do not count Cancun’s Senior year high school trip, as typical “out of the US” trip, too Americanized. ha.
US Cities I still must see:
- Chicago (this is at the top of the list)
- Miami
- Orlando (just might go this year with the Prudential convention being located there!)
- Seattle
- Portland
- Lake Tahoe
- San Diego
- Boston (again)
- NYC (again…any time)
I don’t even know where to begin if I go out of the country. Always taking suggestions. As a matter of fact, I don’t even know if I want to travel with anyone…and if so who that may be! (I am a hard girl to keep up with, and if someone wants to travel with, I need an even temperament, a desire to be on the go, and the energy to possibly run on 4-5hrs of sleep a few nights and someone who wants to see everything, oh and someone fun…of course).
Some people think I should do exotic for my first trip… what would exotic be exactly?
One of my best friends says Germany is her favorite and all the small towns.
I do have a connection in Scotland (not sure if I want to do cold weather…takes up too much room in the suitcase)
I have friends of friends in London? And am fond of places where I can read the language or understand it at least!
And some say fly to one country, take a train and leave from another…
Where shall I go?
Best wishes to you and your endeavors, goals, and ambitions of 2012…
I am not sure HOW exactly to get where I want to go, but I know if I start to plan the trip, I will make it happen. Taking suggestions and ideas of where to begin…
