It's that time of year again, isn't it? Time to really think about what was wrong with this past year and set goals for the New Year. I don’t generally do resolutions - it seems so easy to immediately fail at things so absolute and sudden as resolutions. I try to give myself at least a whole year to make a goal and then look back at the end to see if I failed. If I'm really lucky, I won't even remember what last year's goals were and so won't kick myself. Much better, don't you think?
Anyway, looking back at last year I've got lots of goals to make.
1. Do more writing. I swore this last year I would have my novel out to publishers and I would complete the sequel (or write a wholly separate novel). The novel is very close to being edited - but still not there. The sequel hasn't made it out of the planning stages. Why? I permitted myself to be sidetracked, to be taken for granted, to give up precious writing time for nothing. I can't do that again. Just say no, even to friends and family, right? Which brings me to goal number two.
2. Separate other's emotions from my own. Don't permit other people to railroad my emotions. Other's extreme apathy, depression, laziness; their anger and bitterness - I should not have to feel them. I've got enough emotions packed in this little body - I don’t have to be the keeper of anyone else's. I need to set boundaries. Should be fun trying that for six week visits, shouldn't it?
3. Spend less. I want to curb my online spending. Sixty dollars at that website, forty at the other - it does add up. Time to hit "unsubscribe" on the bottom of all those wonderful 50% off sale emails. Urgh, that's a hard one. Mustn't…pass…up…a…bargain. Maybe I'll start a little at a time: first J.Jill, then Gaiam, MacMall, eventually canceling, gulp, Territory Ahead by the end of six months.
4. Practice looking on the bright side. Ugh I hate this one. It's called cognitive therapy, people. Snark and sarcasm can be fun, but it can be a defense mechanism as well. And it can color my thoughts - so that eventually I believe that self-mocking comment I just said. For a while I was doing pretty well at changing my negative thoughts - but it is a constant battle for a depressive. Goal - reread "Feeling Good - the New Mood Therapy" by David Burns. Work through the exercises to remind myself what I need my brain to be doing. If it isn't working - go see Dr. Richardson again. We've had some tough years - 8 family members dead in two years. It's time to reassess, figure out where I am emotionally and make some serious changes.
Is that enough? It's only four - but they're pretty serious, difficult ones. The next step is to put in writing a plan for each of these goals. I've learned in past years - if I don't have a plan, I'm not really serious about that goal and it will not happen.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Much food for thought, Ipissimus--as always!
I love you and hope I don't flatter myself too much in calling you my friend.
Shadow/J
Hello, dur, Shadow of course you're a friend. You need to work on the ol' self esteem as a goal for the New Year! It's a pleasure to be your friend! On another note - I almost ordered myself a calendar off Amazon.com to put my writing goals down in, remembered #3 and took myself to Barnes and Nobles instead. Got what I wanted for half off and saw a movie as well. Much more fun than just hitting "pay" and doing more surfing.
You wonder if four is enough. I think these four are more complex than originally meets the eye, and are inter-related. I agree with Shadow, much food for thought here. Thanks for the inspiration for goal-setting!
Love,
Shameless
Post a Comment