I used to be totally super-psyched to make resolutions every year, but it seems as I get older I get less organized, less motivated, and less interested in these silly promises we call resolutions. And yet I cling to the idea that this year will be different than the last, that this will be the year I take action and accomplish lasting change.
I’ve been following along with Michele’s 2010 Intentions Plan at Scraps of My Geek Life. I love her plan to create intentions and pick a word to help you focus on them. I’ve decided on “Zen in Ten” (props to @wbgookin for suggesting this 2010 mantra). Here are my intentions:
- Focus on one thing at a time. I’ve always been a fan of multi-tasking and in some cases it works great. But when it comes to blogging, designing, creating, teaching, and spending time with my family, multi-tasking can ruin me.
- Lose 40 pounds and develop a healthy lifestyle. I’ve got lots of support here — family, friends, and online. Check out Bookie Boo and Shredheads if you’re looking for online motivation.
- Stop yelling. I’m with my kids nearly 24/7 and we get on each others’ nerves. Sometimes I feel like my house is a battle zone. I want peace. Zen. And that’s gotta start with me.
- Develop my blog design business. Take a graphic design class, learn more about PHP, and create a few themes for WordPress. I also want to continue growing this blog, comment more on blogs I enjoy, and try vlogging.
It’s all about focus for me this year. No more plowing along, deepening the rut I’ve been in. 2009 gave me quite a few eye-openers. People close to me (as well as me myself) have experienced illness, stroke, cancer, accidents and death more so than in any other year of my life. If there’s one thing this year has taught me, corny as it may sound, it’s this…
Everything in your life can change in an instant. Make the most of now.
{ 52 comments… read them below or add one }
I think these are worthy goals for this year a head of us. And I too would like to stop yelling at my kids, learn more about the computer world and loose 40 lbs.
Everyday Mom Ideas´s last post: Giveaway! Digital Photo Fame Key chain!
Man, shannon that first one changed my LIFE.
and, as sappy as it sounds :), I learned it from watching my 4 year old.
She accomplishes so much in a given day (and hauls around the wiped out mama as proof :)) and yet never multitasks.
She’s never on the swings thinking about what color playdough she will smoosh later and when, exactly, her next melter shall occur.
it sounds so simple and basic but youre so right—its life (and weight :)) altering.
MizFit´s last post: A MizFit mini-course & Jackie Warner’s tips for the New Year.
These are great objectives for the year, and I really think having a few things to focus on, rather than wanting to try change everything in one go, give you a greater chance of success. Well done, and good luck
Luschka´s last post: January’s Tortures Life Detox
focusing on one thing at a time is sage advice we all could benefit from. good luck and hang in there.
jaz´s last post: Happy New Year 2010
Twitter: cmacceo
January 2, 2010 at 10:45 am
I too started focusing on Intentions, instead of resolutions, last year. Just seems more positive that way. I put up my list last night, but I like how you added in yelling less. Like you, we are all in the house together often. I always feel like the kids listen better after I yell, but I HATE that it has to come to that. This is another thing I’d like to work on. And your last sentance is SO true.
Thinking 40 lbs is overwhelming, Cousin. I’ve discovered that playing games with the scale works wonders for me. If I weigh in at 140 lbs, I think, “Can I see 138 by the end of the week?” Then, when I see 138, I aim for 135. Playing that scale game and eating 1 piece of bread when I normally would have 2, has worked for me. If I am still hungry later, I can eat more then, but hopefully make a better choice than bread. I’ve lost 20 lbs doing this!!! Good Luck & Happy New Year!!! :o)
What I think I like most about this post is that it is short and sweet and completely attainable. I am sure you will accomplish your 2010 resolutions.
Tara@Seriously Why Can’t I?´s last post: B-O-B-B-Y B-O-W-D-E-N….
I love your ‘Zen in Ten’! #3 is first on my list & you are so right about focusing. I just keep telling myself the only thing I can change is me & I think it is starting to set in. ;)
MommaPixie´s last post: 2010
I love the Zen in Ten idea. And as soon as you figure out how to stop yelling and find that zen, will you please let me know.
Happy Saturday Sharefest!
MamaOtwins+1´s last post: Starting 2010 off right!
I would love to be “Zen in Ten”. I seem to worry all the time and never get the things accomplished that I want to. I need to find someone to pay me to stay home instead of going to work. That is an ongoing goal that I’ve had for a while. I feel like I miss so much of my kids when I am at work.
Jayde´s last post: How To: Turn a Piece of Wood Into a Piece of Art Part 2
I love the way you laid out each resolution. I think these are great and easily accomplished if you stick to it and keep yourself dedicated in reaching your goals.
Brandy´s last post: Top Everything Happily Blended 2009
Twitter: angeliasims
January 2, 2010 at 12:37 pm
I think your intentions are honorable and doable. I am rooting for you! Zen is a brilliant plan.
Your last statement resonated with me in the last year for sure and this year? Who knows? It will be a year to remember for sure. Happy New Year Shannon!
Angelia (Texas)´s last post: Highlights of my Year – 2009
Great read…love to hear others’ goals and ideas!
Great read…love to hear others’ goals and ideas!
Meg´s last post: Another New Year to Resolute!
I really like the idea of “intentions” rather than resolutions. Ironically, the word resolute means that you are firm in your convictions and will not be swayed. But the idea of a New Year’s “Resolution” has somewhat disintegrated into “Here’s something I wish I could do/be but I really wish someone would just wave a magic wand and make it happen because I’m not really gonna try hard at it if I don’t see results after 2 weeks.”
So hooray for you and your intentions. I’ve got my own for 2010 as well, check out Last Year | This Year if you want to know mine. :)
Have an Extraordinary Day!
InspiredDreamer´s last post: Let the Fasting Begin
Twitter: AnaliFirst
January 2, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Best of luck with your intentions for 2010! I have quite a few myself. I’ve been toying with the idea of trying some video or podcasting. We’ll see. I’d like to lose a few pounds too! ; )
Anali´s last post: A New Year + A New Book
Great tips for a fab start to the new year! Happy Saturday SITS, too!
Twitter: rachelcotterill
January 2, 2010 at 4:06 pm
That’s a pretty good list :) I’m actually making resolutions for the first time this year, but only small and acheivable things… I refuse to be a resolution-ignoring statistic! :)
Rachel Cotterill´s last post: 2009 Retrospective
wow, i’m a self-proclaimed multi-tasker. however, i’ve never thought that if i focus on one thing at a time i might be super productive. thanks for sharing your intentions. happy 2010.
Twitter: MelanieMFoust
January 2, 2010 at 4:10 pm
I will definitely be trying to focus in 2010. That’s my biggest intention. Some Zen would help big time.
A few of my goals for 2010 included blog goals. I love the idea of focusing on one thing at a time. I’m the queen of having 13 tabs open at a time, reading three blogs at a time while writing my own. It’s insanity. Too many thoughts running through my head clouding my words. This is a great idea. Focus. Yes, let’s!
Kallay´s last post: Twenty Ten: The Year of the Pen (Or, Things I Intend to Accomplish)
Twitter: dianamarie
January 2, 2010 at 9:03 pm
It’s official. We *are* long lost somethings. I have been feeling very different about this New Year than ever before, I have been lost in 2009 (and prior), I have had no direction. My number one “resolution” this year is to Have Direction — in all things.
Your goals are worthy indeed! Some of them are my goals, too, and I definitely need more self-discipline in several areas. I also need to learn to say no!
Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!
–and Happy New Year!
Leah Rubin´s last post: How Do I NOT Do It?
Love the idea of NOT multi-tasking. I have a hard time just doing one thing at a time. But I think you’re right…I’d be so much more productive if I would just focus on ONE!
Finding Normal´s last post: 2009
wow, great goals, I’m with you. My word for the year is elegance. In my endeavors, my thoughts and my intentions. Let’s Rock 2010
http://www.beewisebags.com/Bee_Wise_Bags/Bags.inspiration.life./Bags.inspiration.life..html
I think your goals are great. I’m inspired by the focus part. I tend to get to multi or scattered. Happy new year!
Mary
Mary ´s last post: Jenny: Keep on Pluggin’
Those sound like reasonable goals. My only one is the weight loss. Seem’s to be a favorite with a lot of people xD But I plan to stick to it.
Jenny´s last post: The Scary Parenting Moment
Your list is much more ambitious than mine. I’ve learned to keep these new years resolutions on a smaller scale or I get overwhelmed and none of it follows through. So, this year I’m resolving to complete my 1/2 finished projects (crochet, collage whatever) and to get my storage room cleaned and organized.
Christi´s last post: Happy New Year!
I love the Zen in Ten that you created. Simple, realistic, and very powerful!
Melissa´s last post: Happy New Year!
mmm I love it. Like the last person said, powerful, realistic and pretty simple. I like that they’re intentions, rather than goals or resolutions. The word “intention” makes it more open, to me, without an end necessary.
What a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing it! My goal for 2010 is to explore my crafty side. ;o) I’ve discovered that I’m most zen and at peace when I’m working with my hands to create something, whether it be trying out a new recipe, working on my novel, or making a greeting card for a loved one. I’ve started a new blog to document my progress, and I’m really jazzed! I’m already feeling more myself than I have in years!
Christiana Reuling´s last post: Arctic Waters
Twitter: BLOGitse
January 9, 2010 at 6:24 am
Thanks for sharing your favicon idea.
I have one question: shouldn’t ” and it seemed to be ok BUT couldn’t preview it so now I wait…
BLOGitse´s last post: your WOrds my IMAge = WO*IMA #50
Twitter: BLOGitse
January 9, 2010 at 6:27 am
I don’t know what happened to my text,
here it is again from the question:
Shouldn’t ‘ be ” in your given codes ( ” and it worked okay but couldn’s preview so now I wait…
BLOGitse´s last post: your WOrds my IMAge = WO*IMA #50
Twitter: BLOGitse
January 9, 2010 at 6:32 am
Once more!
Shouldn’t ‘ be ” in your code?
Blogger didn’t like ‘ at all but when I changed it to ” it worked okay but couldn’t preview it…so now I wait…
BLOGitse´s last post: your WOrds my IMAge = WO*IMA #50
I really need to work on the yelling thing too! Being more patient was one of my resolutions. Sometimes I feel like I fly off the handle for no reason…or for stupid reasons! Gotta get better about that.
Hope 2010 brings you much joy!
Mary´s last post: Who’s Coming To Your Funeral?
Twitter: shellthings
January 9, 2010 at 8:53 am
Stop yelling…let me know if you figure out how to accomplish that one!
Shell´s last post: Little Things Can Make Me Cry(in a good way this time)
GREAT insight, advice and attitude! It’s so important to stop, look around, reflect, count your blessings and to give yourself a break here and there!
Visiting from SITS and wishing you a fantastic 2010!!!
Insanitykim´s last post: I Found Bigfoot, And Bigfoot Hates Shoe Horns…
I like that idea of Zen in Ten: good lukc with your resolutions! Here are mine: http://traceysthriftytips.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-year-old-me.html – wish me luck!!
thank you for this post sometimes you just need to put things back into perspective! Happy Saturday, anne
Excellent direction, I wish you success.
Debby´s last post: WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS GO SHOPPING OR HAVE A GLASS OF WINE
Hi there, over from sits. Thanks for the great information on updating my blog. I am so technologically challenged, it may not work for me. But I think it will be fun to try. Anyway, have a great weekend.
Great intentions! 2009 was an eye-opening year for us as well, and as a result I too have deepened my resolve for 2010. I wish you best of luck against this focus and will follow along with your progress with great interest!
Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest, as well!
I really love this idea!
Ambrosia´s last post: Girls and Boys are Equally Wonderful
I think you’ve picked some realistic and positive things to work on, and I wish you the best of luck with it.
Hear Mum Roar´s last post: Top 5 Childhood Memories – Monday musing
You have wonderfully inspiring goals for 2010! I don’t doubt you will be a success.
I lost 36 pounds in the past four months and I still can’t believe it. My hubby and I are eating so healthy now. It really works! I have about seven more to go to reach my final goal weight. I’ll be posting my four month healthy life update very soon if you want to stop by. You are always welcome anytime and we can motivate each other.
Many blessings to you and your family, ~Melissa :)
That last statement you made is so true, and exactly what I’ve been thinking a lot about lately. It’s so easy to get caught up in the routine of life that you forget to enjoy and appreciate how awesome life is in this moment and to get everything you can out of it. I want to make the most of it too! Best of luck to both of us in achieving that goal :-)
pk @ Room Remix´s last post: Bedroom Inspiration – Keeping it light
Twitter: BonBonRoseGirls
January 11, 2010 at 12:50 am
I’m hoping now that I’m “somewhat” of a more veteran Mom…the dude is 18 months now…I can lose the scattered brain I’ve been carting around and really get focused!
40 pounds… yikes. I could use a 40 pound loss myself, just having a hard time committing to it…
James´s last post: We’re safe now.
Your words are so true. I try hard to live for today.
I saw you on sits.Come visit me..
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