Wouldn't it be nice

[batskeets]

Quick announcement: people who want Jan 15th Derby Tickets, I need to offload these as soon as possible, by Jan 10th at the latest! Several people have indicated interest, but haven't actually bought them, so bring me some $$, or at least let me know one way or the other.

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I'm generally not a New Year's Resolution type of girl. I know that works for some, but for me, it's historically resulted in setting myself up for failure and self-flagellation. There are always things I want to do and try, and things that I'm seriously working on, but there are some things that you can't set a deadline on, and some things that are such an involved process that you can't realistically know when or how they'll come to pass.

Still, I like lists, and I have goals. So, documentation must happen!

Goals that are Serious Business (and a few potential strategies for each):

1) Become a full-time photographer in 2011!

• Sub-goal: Quit The Job or *at least* reduce hours by June 2011, aka my 4-year job-iversary
• Learn/implement better internet marketing and SEO strategies
• Try to suck less at networking and schmoozing
• Shoot more in general; use that to push boundaries and generate interest from potential clients.

2) Do serious work on better managing my focus and attention.

• Aim for no more than 6 browser tabs open at a given time.
• Try using Concentrate or other focus and attention apps to help with this.
• Possibly limit time spent on non-business-related social networking.
• Get more sleep. No less than 7 hours, preferably 8!

3) Take better care of myself, reduce stress, leave more free time for friends, and for things I want to learn and do

• Continue learning to say No, and prevent overcommitment.
• Leave at least one free evening open every week; schedule introvert time into my calendar, if I have to.
• Cook/eat at home often; use clean eating and 80/20 strategy. Include friends in this; it doesn't always have to be a big production.
• Stay committed to physical activity and making time for my own wellness.
• Go to bed earlier!

4) Widen my awareness of the world and all the things happening in it, while still remaining aware of and true to myself.

• Read more books and more articles
• Listen to NPR and podcasts while waiting/riding the bus
• Use free time created via goals #2 and #3 to research and pursue certain interests more thoroughly
• Continue with therapy and thought, keep up on journaling and writing things out in various locations.

A Few Things I'd Like To Accomplish With Any Newfound Free Time

• Photograph, write, and publish my roller derby photobook project
• Shoot more personal projects and collaborations, in general
• Read more books and play more games.
• House Things: Yard and basement cleanup, painting accent walls, small improvements which I will not list exhaustively here
• Finish greenhouse and start veggie garden in Spring, and Do It Right. Maybe a chicken coop later in the year?
• Study Chinese language, at least in its spoken form
• Suck less at running (again)
• Go on spontaneous walks, hikes, road trips.
• (other things that I'm currently not remembering, heh)

----

I have to say, I'm also heartened by the fact that Sir Not-Appearing-In-This-List is any sort of weight loss. I can't even begin to express how many times I'd set unrealistic goals for my weight and failed at them, during the times when I was still making New Year's Resolutions. And, oh, there was self-flagellation by the truckload with that one, every single time.

Truth is, I thought about listing that this year, and it's... just not that important. Yeah, after the holidays, I'm feeling a bit more chub-tastic than I'd like, and I'm definitely a bit slower during workouts and I get tired more easily. But, I'm not exactly worried about dropping pounds, and I'm pretty confident that, as I get the Serious Business Goals in motion, the weight and fitness setbacks will settle out on their own. In fact, I haven't yet stepped on a scale in 2011. Granted, we're all of 6 whole days into the new year, but when I think on it, I can't remember the last time that's happened.

This is a new and strange emotional space to be in, but I like it. Focusing on being well, rather than being thinner, feels pretty damned amazing. It'd be nice if I'd reached this point earlier in life, but eh, better late than never. Go me! :)

Comments

[helloandie.livejournal.com]

only 6 browser tabs?? i don't think i can function with less than 12. XD maybe i need to work on my focus as well!

[skeets.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that number may change if it gets in the way of my productivity. But, I've noticed that it usually means I'm trying to do/read too many things at once, and so I keep flipping back and forth between them and don't actually finish any of them. ^^;

[archmage.livejournal.com]

Sounds solid to me.

And no surprise that "weight loss" isn't on the list. You don't need it, Miss S, you look fabulous.

[matrixleap.livejournal.com]

Good stuff...I want to collaberate with you on that photo idea I was telling you about a few weeks ago...you said you'd be hip on it, but, it'll have to be after I get back from Phoenix.

=)


~D.

[xplo-eristotle.livejournal.com]

I tend to leave tabs open instead of bookmarking them, so I usually have a lot of tabs open.

[sarapada.livejournal.com]

I love this entire post - it's so sensible and achievable and still awesome. GO YOU!