I'm feeling a little groggy, with a mild headache after a non-wild and crazy evening. Staying up late will do that to me and I was in bed before midnight too. Guess I'm just getting older.
Many people set resolutions for the new year. Coach Dean wrote a blog post about NOT setting resolutions. Why wait until January 1st to set about making a change? Just start the change. For me the first of the year is perfect to reset my thinking regarding food after the indulgent holiday season. Amanda at Run to the Finish has started a challenge to keep a food journal for the month of January. To start off the challenge I updated my profile and weight at Fat Secret, an online food journal. Weighing myself was a shock. I knew I was heavier but had no idea 6 lbs crept on during the holidays. I'm going to clean out the freezer and set up my pantry list with the app Out of Milk. The question is do I keep or toss the chocolate chips. It's not that I won't allow myself sweets but if something like chocolate chips are around, I'll eat them.
While I won't set up specific resolutions, I do write a letter to myself as if it was the end of the year already. I got the idea from Jess at Jess LC. I need to find my letter to myself last year and see how I've done. I've found that writing down desires and goals they come true. For example, in December 2009 I made a 101 things in 1001 days. Some of the things were long shots that I didn't think I would really work towards them yet they came to be. I wrote down go to Maine for no particular reason because I thought it would be beautiful. I had no desire to truly plan a trip to Maine and make it happen making it a long shot. In April, after running the Boston marathon, John and I took a trip to Maine. Another example is I put in the list, "plant a lemon tree". We have an orange tree on order to be delivered in March, after the threat of frost is past. Writing down desires is powerful.
I challenge you to write a letter to yourself, make a 101 things in 1001 days list, or a list of things to accomplish. This isn't meant to be a resolution list or something to beat yourself up list. Maybe call it a wishlist instead. Just something to put down ideas in writing, even if they are long shots.
What goal setting do you do? Do you write letters to yourself? Do you have a 101 things list?
4 comments:
i am not big on making resolutions i too feel it can be done at any time not just the new year, but i do think it is a good time to set goals and at least race plan. but i am trying to really sit down and just write down my thoughts and my hopes and my goals. i think if i write it down it helps BUT it also is stressful to write something down and stare it as it does not get done. i think there are short term goals vs long term goals. as well as realizing you are every changing.
I hope 2012 is you best year ever! Hoping Carolyn qualifies for Boston again at RNR.
I love resolutions. My husband and I made a few big ones, but I like your 101 list idea! I think I'll get working on one for myself. Everything is easier to accomplish when it is written down.
Great idea! I don't have any list and my only goals are to lose the weight I put on during the holidays (5 lbs) and one race every month.
Best wishes for a great 2012.
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