The world is full of hope.  It's the new year!  And everyone is feeling hopeful, excited, and anticipating the great happenings that are sure to happen.  This is always the best time of year for me.  I happen to love January.  Almost as much as I love September.  Because, lets face it, January is cold.  And wet.  And September is crisp and full of warm colors and cozy food.  January is cold and harsh.  September is warm and inviting. 

I got a little carried away there.  The point is, January is new.  There are 12 new months all lined up to bring you happiness and new things.  I get to put aside anything that didn't happen in 2009.  Put it away.  There's nothing I can do about it now.  I look at what didn't happen, evaluate how important it is to me, and carry only the most important impactful things into the new year.  It's time to make a plan to ensure those most important things happen.  Recommit to the progress.  

Progress.  That's my word for 2010 by the way.  Did you pick one?  Read about picking a word here.  Download a worksheet to help you pick your word here.  Picking a word can be a powerful tool to help you keep your goals and create a focus in your life for the year.  As with any project, adjust it to fit you.  Pick a work for each quarter, or month, or season.  Write it down, post it where you will see it, keep yourself reminded.  It can help you change your life. 

GOALS!  That's the next thing.  There are so many things I want to accomplish, it's practically enough to make me give up with out trying.  But that's not the purpose is it?  To make ourselves so discouraged that we become complacent, non-committal, discouraged.  Just throw that out right now.

I picked the categories based on the things I want to work on the most.  Created buckets to categorize my goals to make them more achievable. For example, school, work, money, health, hobbies.  Then break it down to those things that mean the most.

I always skip the goals about eating and exercise.  That's about taking care of yourself, something I should be doing anyway.  I'm sure at some point in the future I will need to redirect myself to focus on that more. 

So a few things from me:

1. Photography – Take more pictures.  I've been leaving the camera behind lately.  It's nice to experience situations with out worrying about capturing the moments and taking pictures all the time.  But I love the pictures of family, friends, and places I come home with.  I want to take more pictures, but also keep the balance of enjoying too. I also get a newsletter every week about learning to take better pictures.  Find it here.  It's very informational and has projects to help you practice.  I want to do these projects more often.

2. Etsy – Post new items monthly.  I'm very excited about this one.  I have big plans for my Etsy shop.  Big plans.

3. School – Complete 6 classes this year.  That's 2 each semester.  This keeps me on track to be done in 3 years.  I'm hoping to fit in a third class at some point.  But at least 2.

4. Travel – I'm so making it to New York this year.  

I'm going to keep a few other goals to myself.  There are 7 total.  

The next step is the plan.  Do you have a plan?  Don't just say in your mind, “I'm going to exercise 3 times a week”.  Did you write it down?  Did you schedule your workout times on the calender?  Did you get the gym membership?  Did you download new music in your mp3? Did you find a workout partner?  Do what is necessary to get yourself started and motivated.  Set yourself up for success.

Make some easy ones too.  We all know the gratification of crossing something off the to-do list.

Will you share a goal with me?  I want to know what everyone else is up to.

Loves,

M