Goals Versus Resolutions

Based on my previous post, you now know that I believe that resolutions are choices we make to loosen or release something's hold on us. For example, my choice to learn how to plant a container garden is a way to accomplish the goal to eat healthier and save money on groceries. On the desktop of my computer, I have virtual stickie notes with my daily, weekly, monthly, and long-term goals on them. They are things I see every day to remind me of what I want to accomplish for my life. Likewise, I have The List of life goals I want to accomplish posted on its own page here on the blog.

They break down like this, with no order of importance or real priority.

Daily

• Wake-up at 6:30 AM
• Exercise
• Morning and Evening Prayer
• Scripture Study
• Service to another

Weekly

• Attend all church meetings
• Attend the temple
• Read a good book
• Clean 

Monthly

• Pay tithes and offerings
• Save money in savings account
• Pay all bills on time

Long Term

• Better paying job with benefits
• AAS Surgical Technology
• BSN, Registered Nurse
• BA, Art History w/minor in Architecture
• MA/PhD Architectural History
• Achieve The List
• Live debt free!
• Marriage and Family

In that same vein, I set goals for the specific year to allow me to accomplish ALL these goals. So here are my goals for 2013. Some you will definitely see on this blog. (You may also notice that the blog has undergone a bit of refurbishing.)

2013 Goals

• Each week review the book I have read on the blog (BR Fridays)
• Study Sunday School lessons and share thoughts on the blog (SS Sundays)
• Post weekly blog entry relating to Art History studies (Art History Wednesdays)
• Be enrolled and attending classes as of 14 January
• Read Old & New Testaments, The Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price before the year ends. (This can be accomplished by reading 4 chapters a day starting in Genesis 1.)
• Have a job providing enough income to cover ALL bills by 14 January 2013
• Learn how to and plant a container garden 
• Volunteer weekly at Museum of Fine Art, Houston (Docent by September)
• Attend Mid-Single Adult activities and befriend someone (Book club w/Z & FHE)
• Lose 55 pounds--5 pounds/month. (This can be done by eating healthier & exercising daily.)
• Draw even closer to Heavenly Father (MESS and General Conference Talks)
• Slowly weeding the negative and down-dragging things from my life
• Learn Spanish (find someone who speaks to converse with weekly)

The choices I make every day are the things that allow me to achieve my yearly and long-term goals. By breaking down the basic things that I need to do each day, I am able to build on the foundation I am creating and accomplish those things I want for my life. It comes down to time management and organizational skills. It also means stepping back  and taking inventory of my life. What do I really need? What has passed its expiration date and would be toxic if I ingested it? How do I spend my time? And does Heavenly Father approve?

I liked the comment that was made by KallieKayKat on my prior post. She mentioned that one way to control finances is to take a few weeks and write down everything you spend and on what. The same thing can be done with our time. Be a bit more conscientious of what you do by writing it down. For some reason when we write things down and make ourselves accountable on paper, we can see where we can do better. I also believe that it is okay to be a bit lazy everyday. By that I mean, it's okay to indulge in a bubble bath, swing on the swings at the park, spend time doing an activity that brings you joy, or just laying on the couch. One of my favorite quotes by T. S. Eliot states, "Time you enjoyed wasting wasn't a wasted time." We need to stop glorifying being super-busy. (You know what I'm talking about.)

There are 168 hours in a week. We spend 56 hours asleep--hopefully--, 45 hours at work, 3 hours at church, and 7 hours showering/getting dressed each week. That leaves a surplus of 57 hours a week, roughly 8 hours each day. That's 1/3 of each day.

• What are your goals for 2013?
• How do you plan out your goals so that you can accomplish them?
• What do you do with your 8 hour daily surplus?
• Would you like to read the scriptures with me? Leave a comment and I will send you a personal invite!
• Would you like to read The Book of Mormon? You can get a free copy and read a fabulous book. It has helped my life and I know that it is the Word of God given to ancient Prophets on the American continents. It testifies of Christ and has the ability to strengthen your testimony of our Savior.