OK, let me start by saying I am excellent at making New Year’s resolutions! I should also say that I’m not very good at keeping them, at least not passed a month or two. Like most people my New Year’s resolutions are usually filled with things like exercise more, eat healthier, give up sweets, and learn to cook! Well, this year I am doing something a little different. I read an article Your TED-inspired New Year’s resolutions and it got me VERY inspired. If you haven’t read this list yet – DO IT! You can click on the article title and it will take you directly to the website. You can also review my list below… I have adapted, to fit my needs, many of the resolutions from the TEDBlog list and added a few of my own.
So, without further ado – here are my 2015 New Year’s Resolutions:
As an aspiring author (indie-Author) making time to write shouldn’t be that hard. I mean… it is what I want to do right?! Well, in reality, I have a family and two beautiful (ENERGETIC) children, work a full-time job, participate in community theatre, and of course wear the hat of wife, mom, cook, maid, chef, and so many other parts. So, finding a few quiet minutes to relax and write isn’t always easy. BUT I WILL DO BETTER! In 2015 I am committing myself to the following:
- Spending 15 minutes per weekday (minimum) writing/reviewing/editing/rewriting my latest novel (whatever that might be at the time) – EXCEPT while on vacations!
- Publishing no less than 1 blog post per week!
I’m not much of a walker, I actually prefer to run, but this resolution is just to represent that I plan to make more of an effort to get out of my chair and be more active. Walking/Running has always been a great time for me to think through story ideas and work through writers’ block – So, this year I will use it as a preventative instead of a cure!
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Practice gratefulness EVERY day!
To often I feel that I don’t say thank you enough, or show people how truly grateful I am. This year I plan to reach out and show my thanks more throughout the day not only for the big things in life but the little things that are all to often forgotten.
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Practice patience EVERY day!
This is a big one for me. When I am stressed it tends to bleed over into my family life. I am promising myself, my children, and my husband that I will practice patience at home. I won’t allow my stress at work or with my writing to affect how I interact with my family.
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Set realistic goals and allow myself time to meet them!
Like many of you I have lots of goals in life, some are realistic and others are pipe dreams. Instead of chasing the pipe dreams, this year I will focus on the realistic goals. By setting both long-term and short-term goals I hope to have a more productive and fulfilling year. I plan to post my list of goals in a separate post.
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Allow my stress to work FOR me not AGAINST me!
When I was in college I thrived on deadlines. Even in the business world, when I was working outside of the house, I LOVED deadlines. With my current job I don’t get a lot of that. Now my work is pretty much self-motivated and self-created, except for the rare time when a proposal has to be created and turned around within days. Other than that deadlines are never very pressing. This year, by setting deadlines for my goals (to be posted later) I will allow the hustle and bustle of ‘deadline stress’ to work FOR me not AGAINST me!
I LOVE to read! In 2013 I read 17 books and in 2014 I read 23 books. I know that might sound like a lot to many people, but it really isn’t – not for me! This year, I will watch less television and read more. Reading sparks creativity and keeps your brain active. So, in 2015 my goal is to read 30 books. It isn’t that much higher than this year, but I’m taking baby steps.
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Take regular breaks from the digital world!
It is my personal opinion that the digital world (cell phones, tablets, computers, laptops, video games, etc.) have taken control of to much of our time. So, I am putting time limits on myself. I use my cell phone, laptop, and iPad for work – that means while I’m working I have to be “plugged in.” However, I don’t have to be plugged in 24/7. So, I am committing to turn off all electronic devises at 5:00 every night. The only exceptions would be if I am not at home, my kids aren’t at home, or my husband isn’t home – In those cases I will keep my cell phone on so that we can stay in contact. Besides, we have a house line so if there was an emergency family can reach me there!
OK, there you have it – my 2015 New Year’s resolutions! What are yours? Please share them below and help to inspire those people who maybe haven’t figured out theirs yet.
Nina Soden 