I am a list maker to the core. I usually have 4-5 separate lists all going daily. Lists of lists of lists.. you get the idea.. (teuxdeux is my favorite list managing website, by the way). So it's only natural that I make a list of some goals at the beginning of the year. There's something about writing it down (or typing it out) that makes you feel THAT much more inspired to actually accomplish it.
(same quote from last year.. it's too good though)
Here's a few of my goals for the year:
1. Stop complaining - This was one from last year too but I think it should be at the top of every year. This is especially important now that social media has become a prime place to complain.. it's pretty silly. This is what I said about it last year. "If you make a conscious effort to not complain, even about the tiniest things, chances are you'll forget about it within a few minutes and you'll have a whole lot less negativity in your life. (When you do this you'll start to notice how much people around you complain, but don't be tempted to point it out.. lead by example)."
2. Read a book a month - I used to read a TON, but in 2011 i only read like.. 3 books? One a month is definitely doable even with my busy schedule. Damned by Chuck Palahnuik is the first on the list. Have you read any great books lately? I'll need some recommendations.
3. Experiment with video projects - Now that I have the equipment in my possession, I want to do lots of video projects this year. Quick recipes, DIY projects and just for fun daily life montages.
4. Split my working time equally between the dress making biz and photography biz. - Both are my biggest passions, and I don't want to see either one fall to the side.
5. Last but not least, Get better at returning texts/emails/phonecalls - Sometimes I am the WORST at this. I truly care about each thing but I far too often check them when I'm too busy to reply and they go unnoticed until its too late (weeks/months) and I feel incredibly rude. So new rule, don't check until I have the time to respond.
Those are my goals.. Simple and doable!
I need to really work on the first one >.<
ReplyDeleteHow about The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender? It does become a little odd and has mixed reviews but overall the novel is engrossing! And it's not too long either!
ReplyDeleteThe Hunger Games...good, gripping, and quick read :)
ReplyDeleteGreat goals to strive for. I'm going to make one today. It's funny how others can motivate you so much!
ReplyDeleteI love list making. It's seriously one of my favorite things to do, but I haven't ever used a site or an app for it because there's just something about physically writing things down for me. I suppose you don't lose them as easily when they're electronic, though!
ReplyDeleteBook recommendations, yay! Bad Marie - Marcy Dermansky. Roger Ebert - Life Itself. Margaret Atwood - Cat's Eye.
ReplyDeleteGreat list!
ReplyDeleteIRENE
http://sugarwithspikes.blogspot.com/
http://unseenslaughter.wordpress.com/
That top quote is amazing! Where is it from, or did you make it up? Also, read Vonnegut. They are quick reads but so much fun.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite book of all time is Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey.
ReplyDeleteI'm so with you on the complaining...I actually just wrote about leaving that habit in 2011: http://yogagypsystl.com/2012/01/02/thats-so-2011/
ReplyDeleteI'm reading "Freedom" by Jonathan Franzen right now (it was one of the top books of last year)...so far pretty good...a very contemporary story.
And, I'm a sucker for Steinbeck. East of Eden is my favorite book EVER!
If you're interested...here are some of my 2012 goals! http://ashmastandrea.wordpress.com/2011/12/20/2012-goals/
Adored the Hunger Games. But if you want smart, funny and really well-written chick-lit - try the two novels by Sara Manning (Unsticky and You Dont Have to Tell Me that You Love Me. Or for something more intellectual, try People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks (she has won heaps of awards, but this one is really engrossing)! x
ReplyDeleteI recommend The Paris Wife. It takes place in the 20s in Paris and is written from Hemingway's first wife's perspective.
ReplyDeleteI did a review of it but it does contain spoilers.
http://prettylittlepinkthings.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/pretty-reads-the-paris-wife-by-paula-mclain/
Wow. I could write any of these goals as my own, they're spot on! Though I think I'm probably not in a good season of life for trying to do much reading. Or maybe I need to just read stuff that's less arduous than Evelyn Waugh. By the way, as far as book recommendations go: Brideshead Revisited is my favorite book!
ReplyDeleteI don't do nearly enough light reading- my life always seems to revolve around textbooks and other educational reads! Great resolutions! =)
ReplyDeleteI'm so guilty of not replying texts, calls, etc. My husband gets so mad at me. I need to work on that one big time! Damned is next on my reading list too.
ReplyDeleteGreat goals! The reading goal is my favorite because I'm a total book addict. I can't believe I haven't read anything by Palahnuik yet...shame on me...I will though! I read 18 book last year and my goal this year is 24. A few of my favorites include The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (the second and third books are just as amazing in my opinion so I recommend them as well), The Hunger Games trilogy, The Help, Atonement, The Paris Wife, and anything by Kurt Vonnegut. I'm currently reading 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteA great list of goals for the new year!
ReplyDeleteI certainly want to read more as well. I find that sometimes it is hard to commit to a book. Short stories, especially ones in the New Yorker, are a good way to overcome this. That and beautifully written books.
I recommend Michael Ondaatje's latest: The Cat's Table. A brilliant and breezy read!
Love the quote and love the goals! You're so right about the complaining, you really do forget about it within a few minutes.
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