I laughed when we decided to do a quarterly update on our New Year's goals. I didn't make any this year. I have it on my list still today. I just haven't gotten around to doing it. I got too busy and it was February before I realized it. Now, it is April and I still haven't put pen to paper
I mentioned this to my wife this morning, she reminded me of the goals I have been working on, though. I hadn't really thought of them, since I hadn't written them down, but have just been doing them. I guess it is better to do something rather than write them and then not do them. Right?
I started a new job, which means a new health insurance. This company has a wellness challenge that pays cash for participation. Each challenge is two months long. The first one was to give up most sugars (soda, deserts, sweets) and substitute with fruit six days per week. There is also an exercise component, requiring 30 minutes a day, three to four days / week. The second challenge requires the exercise and improving a meal every day - making it more healthy.
So far, three months into the challenge, I am on track. I have found the exercise easier to maintain as time goes on. I still have to consciously make the effort, but it is getting easier. Since we are not big desert eaters and I don't like soda anyway, the sugar was easier than I thought. I quickly discovered that my big weakness is all the sweets around the office. I hadn't realized how much I sneak at work until I had to make sure I didn't. Since that challenge is over, I have to watch myself to not fall back into the bad habits. While I haven't lost any weight like I hoped I would, I haven't gained any, either.
Another unwritten goal I have kept this year is writing on this blog. Once I committed to it, I have been determined to not miss posting each week. It has been a good exercise for me to get in the habit of writing. I have other unwritten writing goals and this one is helping me get ready to take on the bigger challenge of the book that has been marinating in my head for a decade or so.
It hasn't been all rosy for unwritten goals, though. There are many things I had considered for goals this year that I haven't done anything toward. One was practicing the guitar. I had been practicing regularly last fall and had even taken a few lessons. Since moving for my new job, I haven't touched the guitar. My woodworking has suffered, too. I have half a dozen pen orders I haven't started yet and several bowls that need to be done. Oh, and there are the dressers I have been working on for seven months...
One thing I have done this year to help me keep on track with a few things is a little app for my iPod called Touch Goal. It has a daily check off for each goal entered into it. While I don't update it every day, it does help me think about the little things I should be keeping up on, like flossing, going to bed by 10:30 (yeah right - that hasn't happened in weeks!) and writing. Little reminders help.
I don't recommend my approach to goals this year. It has been more miss than hit in the success department. My life has been quite chaotic with the changes going on and that has contributed. I don't like things unsettled and the last few months have been nothing but undecided. When I get our house sold and the family moved, perhaps I will get back to my normal goal-driven life.
