Now I have a few goals each year. These goals help keep me on the paths of personal improvement, intellectual stimulation, creative exploration and just downright fun! I try to make them ones I can achieve, along with not being so critical to the survival of the human race that I don't feel as though I've failed.
Here are a few for 2016.
Meet at least three bloggers I've never met before. Theoretically, this shouldn't be hard -- I've already met one! I'm aware of at least a couple in Michigan and who knows there 2016 might take me. I have a few ideas...
Match my 60 book reading list. One down, well into book number two. And if my headaches go away -- I'll ramp up on that one!
Take at least three art classes. I am signed up for the first one (colored pencil techniques with Barbara Hranilovich). Nothing else on the immediate horizon but I have 11 months! (Southern Exposure doesn't count -- but I have four of those on the schedule!)
Visit a foreign country. OK -- this isn't hard. Suzanne lives in Ontario which is about three hours or less away. But I'm not sure that counts. Maybe it should be a new place in a foreign country. I have a couple of possibilities here, too. Rick is riding his bike to Quebec this summer and I might join him when he finally "lands." Or maybe venture across the sea? I'm getting travel itchy.
Write more. Procrastinate less.
Continue the stuff-purging, I took a lot to Goodwill this year. The next round will be harder because it is stuff I actually like. But I am determined to dig out the basement. And then on to the upstairs!
Tackle or finish at least one home maintenance project at home and at the cottage. Last year we did a lot at the lake and one big project is in mid-progress. So that one is easy. At home the list is endless -- painting inside, some basement window repair work (no more floods, please), maybe some yard grading. We'll see what the budget can handle!
And finally, after years of muttering about it, actually dig into my family history. I'd really like to ferret out the mysteries of my mom's family (which I can share with cousins on that side) and know more about Dad's, too!
Yup. If I can pull all that off, it'll be a very good, very satisfying year!
26 comments:
Great goals. I think we both had long-since resolved to meet each other, so that's two accomplishments in one brunch!
Good luck with the rest. They sound really doable.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Your goals sound like so much fun - better than "resolutions!" I love the old typewriter. As you know, I purged and tidied after selling the Denver house - I'm still gloating over having accomplished that feat. However, Bob reminds me that buying new clothes without getting rid of old might land me back in clutter! Oh, well...
That's a good list of goals! I wish that we lived closer so we could meet up at some point. But I will start to travel for work this year and maybe my travels will bring me to your neck of the woods, if I'm lucky! I think that visiting Quebec would be so fun. I have heard that Quebec and Montreal feel like France! Good luck with your set of goals!!
Very good goals. one of my goals is to do more with art - classes, projects and appreciation.
I'm proud for you making goals and I'm sure you'll accomplish them! I really hadn't made new year goals either in a long time, just try to live my best each day. Thanks for popping in to see me and your sweet words.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)
I agree with you...setting goals is the way to go. And you have set some good ones, many ow which I would tackle, too. Well, all except the travel outside the country! I've been to Mexico and Canada several times and those are just about the only ones I can get to without flying or taking a ship. But all your other goals sound like things I should be doing.
Many goals on this list could be on mine.
I think you have a very ambitious list! Knowing you, I have no doubt that you will meet every objective. I can relate to some the items on your list. I too hope to purge some more, work on family history, work on my craft of writing, and meet at least two blogging friends in Colorado. I know how you can meet one of your blogging buddies. Come and see me! I would love that. Keicha may be coming for Easter. If you came during that time, you could meet her too. I'm serious by the way.
You have some great, life-enhancing goals, Jeanie! Love your idea about meeting blogging friends! Any thoughts about exploring Arizona? It would be great to meet you. You're an inspiration re clearing the basement, too, and learning to part with stuff one likes! Not easy!! Happy 2016!
All worthy goals. It sounds like you have quite a year ahead of you. I hope it will be happy and healthful.
The first purge is easy, but it gets harder with each haul to Goodwill. When you get down to the real nitty gritty, the choices get more difficult, but you will feel so much lighter when you finish.
Good luck with all your goals! I hope you post about them later in the year and let us know how it went.
Great list of goals... Good luck with them. I hope you're able to cross off at least most - if not all - of them by the end of 2016! :)
You are going to be busy girl . . .
I find "doing" is much more fun than doing "nothing!"
Two houses and a cottage too . . .
Oh my!
I think you have a great list of goals Jeanie. I'm feeling your travel itch too, I would love to venture across the pond this year. I am still adding and scratching through my list! Always enjoy your photographs…..
Happy week.
I think your goals are wonderful! And I'm not making resolutions either for the same reason.
Meeting bloggers is an amazing goals. I can't wait to see what books you're reading and I'd love to join you in the art classes!
If you make your way to Germany, please let us know! :D
Have a very happy Tuesday, Jeanie!
Love and hugs to you,
Beate
And take one day at a time and think about it then add to what you have learned. That is the pace I am taking!
All lovely goals, and I await them realized right here on TMG. I'm with you on Write more, procrastinate less. Love that photo of the old typewriter, something I saw at Shakespeare and Co. in Paris, and at Edith Wharton's home in The Mount. It's motivating enough just by looking at an old typewriter. Due to all kinds of issues I've to deal with this year, my originally aim at 52 books may have to be left aside, although I'm still reading when I have the mood. And, all the best with your other goals. 60 looks like a fine target and I'm sure you can hit it. ;)
Good luck getting through the list. Maybe you could meet me this year, now wouldn't that be fun? Oh yes, travel itch is here too. And always something to be done on the house. Today we need a new stove. Everything has been burning or not getting done lately and I am fed up with that. Happy art classes too! Can't wait to hear what you do.
Come to France with me-there are two goals and you get me and France plus a little Canada as I am Canadian. so maybe two countries.
Lots of good goals there! Family history can be so interesting. Good luck!
Sounds varied and doable. And fun. My "ruthie" method is to make sure I do something I enjoy while I take on something I don't, alternating every hour or so.
I love your list! You are very ambitious. Not sure I could get all of those in one year, but I have other things on my list. Sometimes it is amazing to see the list of someone else. What seems attainable for one person can be a stretch for another.
You have inspired me.
Funny ~ I don't see any difference between resolutions and goals. Maybe resolutions are more specific, and goals more general. Except, some of your goals are pretty specific. In any event, I've never suffered guilt over not keeping resolutions or meeting goals. I just do the best I can, and then start over.
I suppose my primary goal for the year is to keep healthy, so I can keep working. I just don't have the money for some things I'd love to do, like extended travel, so I have to resolve to be creative with the resources I have. Of course, that's the heart of crafting, too -- being creative with the resources at hand. "Crafting a good life" doesn't sound so bad as an overall goal.
I really would love for us to have a meetup this year. If I could manage getting to Michigan, there are so many people between here and there... And I have trouble thinking about leaving Dixie Rose for two weeks or more. I'm just not sure I could do that. It's easy to say "I'll travel once she's gone (she's 15 now), but I might not be able to travel once she's gone. Always a balancing act, isn't it?
Perfect choices for a new year-I too am doing some research on my family.
Something satisfying about tying up some loose ends where the family is concerned and being able to pass it on to the the next generation.(If they will listen!)
These look as if they are do-able and will be great to have done. The perfect combination, seems to me!
Good for you Jeanie!
For me this is the year of the BIG de-clutter.
I have far too many Arty/creative magazines books etcet so they need to have a new home. We have an online site similar to Ebay called Trade Me, so I might try that!
I love those old family photos - what beautiful little girls - do you know who they are Jeanie.
One more thing I must do is finish the book I've started on my mother!
You've given me a timely reminder.
Shane x
Goals--seems much more do-able than tired out resolutions. In recent years I like to really take my time to consider the year ahead, no rush, no hurry out of the gate... Your list is VERY do-able, I'd say, and with a whole year ahead, it will be wonderful to hear/see your adventures for 2016!
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