New Year's Resolutions, by nature, are usually about self-improvement. People want to lose weight, or read more. I'm okay with that, except on those issues I'm pretty happy right where I am.
I have in the past, however, kept five goals going at any one point in time. Last year I abandoned those goals. My goals were difficult to complete, things that required changes of habit that should be ongoing--essentially resolutions. And like New Year's Resolutions, my goals were doomed to failure.
So this year, my only resolution is to change how I set my goals. I will only set small measurable goals. There will always be five goals because I am sure there will always be five good things I could be doing.
So here are the goals I have in mind thus far:
1. Recycle old electronics. I have a box of archaic cell phones, digital cameras, and random cords to nothing that I have been moving from apartment to apartment for about five years. I've just added a twenty-some-year-old TV which cannot produce sound to the junk pile. (Ask me about my elaborate sound-rigging that kept that TV in action anyway. Like any cheap-skate, I'm insanely proud of my ludicrous work-around.) Anywho, with a TV now on my living room floor, I need to finally haul the e-junk off. (I'm also going to need some help. The TV is quite large.)
2. Read classic books I have never read. This goal has the nature of being ongoing and unmeasurable, so I am tasking myself with assigning one classic at the beginning of each month. I expect myself to read 2-3 books a month, so one classic won't kill me. I can still devote the larger percentage of my reading efforts to science fiction.
3. Volunteer for something. I haven't decided what yet, but I need to find a way to do external good. About a year ago, I looked into Big Brothers, Big Sisters and similar programs to see if I could get involved in tutoring or anything, but with a long-distance relationship that requires regular out-of-town travel, I couldn't commit to something that needed all my weekends. I could volunteer grant-write for one of these programs, but I genuinely miss tutoring because I like having exposure to people that I never imagined existed. I should probably ask around at schools and the libraries.
4. Bake something new. I keep telling myself I will branch out into pastries or some such, but I haven't done a darned thing. Like reading, I might set this as monthly or biweekly (fortnightly) goal and assign myself with a new dish to bake each period.
5. Take my cat to the vet. My cat lives a very secluded life. I don't let her outside (letting her outside in this Downtown environment would be a bad idea, but I didn't let her outside when we lived in smaller towns in residential neighborhoods--mostly because she is incompetant at being catlike). I've always figured I didn't really need to force her to go through the torment of visiting a vet because she has exposure to nothing, but I also freak out and get paranoid when I think she's sick. I'd feel much better if we had a kitty doctor I felt comfortable with that I could go to when she feels down and out. If I need to get my generally quarantined cat vaccinated to foster such a relationship, so be it.
I have some other goals in mind that can replace 1, 3, and 5 when I get those done, but it's not worth planning ahead too far. No need to overwhelm myself--I do tend to exihibit a certain degree of laziness that I need to account for.
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Sundays are for Dreaming
Sometimes, I find Sundays are for getting things done--all the things that I should have done on Saturday but didn't because I was being a bum or had too many social plans. On Sundays, I clean; I run errands; I cook and bake.
Sometimes, I find Sundays are for thought, for deep thinking. On Sundays, I'll sit in the bathtub and read a book. On Sundays, I sometimes actually write and draw. On Sundays, I sit around with ideas, write blogs I'll never publish, read articles, makes lists and plans to do things I will probably never do. Sunday is often a day for dreaming of how I want my life to be. Life may never be as I dream it, but I think the exercise of dreaming it is important. It keeps me sane. Dreams are what keep everyone sane. Lord knows our lives usually aren't cut out to do that for us.
Today, like many days the plan I'm making is to be more fit, to control my gluttony and work out more regularly. I live such a sedentary life. Eight or nine hours for five days a week barely moving from my chair at work, pulling cookies out of my desk drawer when I just can't take the brain drain of work anymore.
If I'm good, I go to the Y after work, get sweaty and gross or chlorinated in the pool for an hour. I'm often not good and go straight home.
Then I eat, and if I'm good it's full of vegetables and few carbs and meat, but someitmes I'm bad and it's nachos. Mmmmm, nachos. Lately there is always ice cream, which is often paired with chocolate cake. Don't judge me--it's all homemade and gloriously irresistable. I like to think that even if I'm indulging in too much fat and sugar at least there are few to no preservatives.
This eating takes place at the coffee table, in front of the computer or the TV (often both). I might spend the evening reading with my laptop ready should Chris pop in to chat, or watching my latest television show, rarely remembering to justify it by crocheting.
In other words, I go from glued to a desk chair all day, to glued to a couch, and then I sleep, glued to my bed. I don't move. I may grow moss soon, and while I like the image of me starting to take root, turning tree-like, growing moss, sprouting leaves, and generally becoming covered in vegetation, in reality I know that what's happening is my metabolism is slowing, and my blood pressure is lowering, and I may start to build up fat in my system even though I look pretty healthy, on the thinner side of curvy. This misleading appearance may be the bain of my motivation to actually be fit.
I need a non-appearance related goal that is also not tied to a fitness routine (I will fudge a fitness routine), so my goal is to get back to the weight I was when I know I was healthy, when I worked out twice a day, ate five snacks instead of three meals, and counted my calories. I was in such incredible control of my food intake and my fitness, and I locked in to a weight range about ten pounds lighter than my current range. I never got below that, I just stayed there no matter what I tried to do, so I'm going to try to get back there. Although given the lapsed time since then, perhaps my current weight is the new minimum. Female bodies are known for such shifts.
Now that that's all planned, I'll probably go read in the bathtub and dream of a small house with no extra space. I want a backyard with a garden (which in reality I would have a patch of ground where nothing comes up and things that did would be withered), a big lazy adoring dog, and perhaps some chickens for fresh eggs. This house should have a little garage on the side where I can park my car and do some creative projects--refinish and reupholster furniture. That's the dream, but it's entirely unrealistic at the moment.
Sometimes, I find Sundays are for thought, for deep thinking. On Sundays, I'll sit in the bathtub and read a book. On Sundays, I sometimes actually write and draw. On Sundays, I sit around with ideas, write blogs I'll never publish, read articles, makes lists and plans to do things I will probably never do. Sunday is often a day for dreaming of how I want my life to be. Life may never be as I dream it, but I think the exercise of dreaming it is important. It keeps me sane. Dreams are what keep everyone sane. Lord knows our lives usually aren't cut out to do that for us.
Today, like many days the plan I'm making is to be more fit, to control my gluttony and work out more regularly. I live such a sedentary life. Eight or nine hours for five days a week barely moving from my chair at work, pulling cookies out of my desk drawer when I just can't take the brain drain of work anymore.
If I'm good, I go to the Y after work, get sweaty and gross or chlorinated in the pool for an hour. I'm often not good and go straight home.
Then I eat, and if I'm good it's full of vegetables and few carbs and meat, but someitmes I'm bad and it's nachos. Mmmmm, nachos. Lately there is always ice cream, which is often paired with chocolate cake. Don't judge me--it's all homemade and gloriously irresistable. I like to think that even if I'm indulging in too much fat and sugar at least there are few to no preservatives.
This eating takes place at the coffee table, in front of the computer or the TV (often both). I might spend the evening reading with my laptop ready should Chris pop in to chat, or watching my latest television show, rarely remembering to justify it by crocheting.
In other words, I go from glued to a desk chair all day, to glued to a couch, and then I sleep, glued to my bed. I don't move. I may grow moss soon, and while I like the image of me starting to take root, turning tree-like, growing moss, sprouting leaves, and generally becoming covered in vegetation, in reality I know that what's happening is my metabolism is slowing, and my blood pressure is lowering, and I may start to build up fat in my system even though I look pretty healthy, on the thinner side of curvy. This misleading appearance may be the bain of my motivation to actually be fit.
I need a non-appearance related goal that is also not tied to a fitness routine (I will fudge a fitness routine), so my goal is to get back to the weight I was when I know I was healthy, when I worked out twice a day, ate five snacks instead of three meals, and counted my calories. I was in such incredible control of my food intake and my fitness, and I locked in to a weight range about ten pounds lighter than my current range. I never got below that, I just stayed there no matter what I tried to do, so I'm going to try to get back there. Although given the lapsed time since then, perhaps my current weight is the new minimum. Female bodies are known for such shifts.
Now that that's all planned, I'll probably go read in the bathtub and dream of a small house with no extra space. I want a backyard with a garden (which in reality I would have a patch of ground where nothing comes up and things that did would be withered), a big lazy adoring dog, and perhaps some chickens for fresh eggs. This house should have a little garage on the side where I can park my car and do some creative projects--refinish and reupholster furniture. That's the dream, but it's entirely unrealistic at the moment.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
The Master of No-Follow-Through
I am the master of no-follow-through.
I challenge myself to improve:
To run and swim and crunch,
to read literature,
to learn about the cosmos and the mind,
to write poetry,
to finish my novel,
to publish short stories,
to bake bread,
to make pastries,
to minimize and declutter,
to do so many little things.
I stack them so high and so deep
(there are so many)
that I find myself staring at a mountain range
constructed of tiny goals
and I sit and do nothing,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of my own dreams.
But I can hike a 14-er in a day,
one dedicated day of devotion
to a task worth striving for.
So I'll pick one peak to climb to,
make a dedicated hike,
knowing there's no stopping.
I must hike to the top or turn back,
wasting so much of my spirit
on yet another failure.
So I'll make a dedicated hike,
trudging onward until
I can sit at the top,
exhausted, but in triumph,
(exhale deeply),
and then choose another peak.
It might take a lifetime,
but I'll cross this mountain range of mine,
conquer every peak,
exhausted, but in triumph,
(exhale deeply),
let my wearied body sleep.
But for now I'm just still planning,
thinking, dreaming, scheming.
I challenge myself to improve,
to do so many little things,
but I sit and do nothing,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of my own dreams.
I am the master of no-follow-through.
I challenge myself to improve:
To run and swim and crunch,
to read literature,
to learn about the cosmos and the mind,
to write poetry,
to finish my novel,
to publish short stories,
to bake bread,
to make pastries,
to minimize and declutter,
to do so many little things.
I stack them so high and so deep
(there are so many)
that I find myself staring at a mountain range
constructed of tiny goals
and I sit and do nothing,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of my own dreams.
But I can hike a 14-er in a day,
one dedicated day of devotion
to a task worth striving for.
So I'll pick one peak to climb to,
make a dedicated hike,
knowing there's no stopping.
I must hike to the top or turn back,
wasting so much of my spirit
on yet another failure.
So I'll make a dedicated hike,
trudging onward until
I can sit at the top,
exhausted, but in triumph,
(exhale deeply),
and then choose another peak.
It might take a lifetime,
but I'll cross this mountain range of mine,
conquer every peak,
exhausted, but in triumph,
(exhale deeply),
let my wearied body sleep.
But for now I'm just still planning,
thinking, dreaming, scheming.
I challenge myself to improve,
to do so many little things,
but I sit and do nothing,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of my own dreams.
I am the master of no-follow-through.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Workout Fiend
Okay, so I'm not doing so hot with the writing or the pastry baking, or even the comfort food cooking.
I was also failing at working out.
Yesterday, I turned that around. I ran five miles. It took me far longer than it should have, but I did it. I did not let myself stop until it was done. Today, I did it all over again. I felt like it was harder this time, but I think that's cause my legs were feeling a bit beat up from yesterday already.
It must not have been as bad as it felt though because a guy came up to me and said, "how are you so happy working out?"
My response, "Huh?"
"You are smiling like crazy."
"Must be the music," I shrugged, but that isn't true. I was barely registering what was on my iPod, and I know it wasn't the stupid celebrity gossip news the Y had on, which I was reading through closed-captioning.
I couldn't explain it. Perhaps I was grimacing and it just looked like smiling? Thank my genetically good smile (no braces necessary). Regardless, it does feel really good to meet this goal. If I keep running 5 miles a day, a 5k run should be easy, and I have had the goal to run one sometime soon.
I would like to dedicate this blog and some of my motivation to my friends Diedre, Maggie, and Anna. They are killing the 5k runs lately, and they would totally kick my butt at running. They are kind of my workout heroes because all three are pretty badass.
I was also failing at working out.
Yesterday, I turned that around. I ran five miles. It took me far longer than it should have, but I did it. I did not let myself stop until it was done. Today, I did it all over again. I felt like it was harder this time, but I think that's cause my legs were feeling a bit beat up from yesterday already.
It must not have been as bad as it felt though because a guy came up to me and said, "how are you so happy working out?"
My response, "Huh?"
"You are smiling like crazy."
"Must be the music," I shrugged, but that isn't true. I was barely registering what was on my iPod, and I know it wasn't the stupid celebrity gossip news the Y had on, which I was reading through closed-captioning.
I couldn't explain it. Perhaps I was grimacing and it just looked like smiling? Thank my genetically good smile (no braces necessary). Regardless, it does feel really good to meet this goal. If I keep running 5 miles a day, a 5k run should be easy, and I have had the goal to run one sometime soon.
I would like to dedicate this blog and some of my motivation to my friends Diedre, Maggie, and Anna. They are killing the 5k runs lately, and they would totally kick my butt at running. They are kind of my workout heroes because all three are pretty badass.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Personal Trainer
So I met with my personal trainer today (I get 3 total for free with the start of my membership).
We set some goals.
I have never been one to drink as much water as one is supposed to drink. Today we measured my body mass index (BMI), and I guess the machine measures high if you don't drink enough water. So this will be my easy way of bringing down my BMI.
The working out 3-4 times a week will be the easy goal I think. I can do that.
Increasing distance though, blergh. I have no willpower. I wimp out too easily. I want to increase my endurance though, so that is my goal. I will substitute increasing the amount of laps/time I swim for running as well. It's still endurance. I don't care if it's running or swimming.
I also learned the right way to use a rowing machine.
I will be the master of fitness...even though I'm technically taking tonight off. :)
Mmmmmm pasta.
Also, I like this personal trainer girl. She's nice, and it was nice to talk to somebody in person. I am bummed that for her it was work, and there are only three sessions (two left). I need to make some friends.
We set some goals.
- Drink more water.
- Go workout 3-4 times a week.
- Increase the distance I can run without stopping.
I have never been one to drink as much water as one is supposed to drink. Today we measured my body mass index (BMI), and I guess the machine measures high if you don't drink enough water. So this will be my easy way of bringing down my BMI.
The working out 3-4 times a week will be the easy goal I think. I can do that.
Increasing distance though, blergh. I have no willpower. I wimp out too easily. I want to increase my endurance though, so that is my goal. I will substitute increasing the amount of laps/time I swim for running as well. It's still endurance. I don't care if it's running or swimming.
I also learned the right way to use a rowing machine.
I will be the master of fitness...even though I'm technically taking tonight off. :)
Mmmmmm pasta.
Also, I like this personal trainer girl. She's nice, and it was nice to talk to somebody in person. I am bummed that for her it was work, and there are only three sessions (two left). I need to make some friends.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Labor Day Weekend - It's About Labor
I have a lot of things I want to do this weekend.
Cheers!
- I want to copy all my CDs onto my computer so that I can get rid of the CDs. They take up too much space, and I never use them...except maybe my Fellowship of the Ring Soundtrack.
- I want to work on hat-making and start Molly's blanket.
- I want to bake my giant zucchini into a tasty cake.
- I want to make a peach pie.
Cheers!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Confession of an Aimless Wanderer
I'm 25, and I still have no idea what I want to do or to be. Let's track my goals and how long they lasted.
Tech Writer -- February 2011 to present
Copy Editor -- November 2010 thru February 2011
PhD in Narratology or Sci-fi / Fantasy--August 2009 thru November 2010
No Idea -- December 2008 thru August 2009
Database Developer -- July 2008 thru December 2008
Novelist -- First few months after finishing undergrad
Copy Editor -- Last year of undergrad
Middle School English Teacher -- Almost the full first 3 years of undergrad
No Idea -- Junior into senior year, while trying to decide where to apply for college
Medical Examiner (autopsies) -- Sophomore into Junior year (high school)
Surgeon -- Freshman into Sophomore year (high school)
Novelist -- 7th Grade
Chef -- 8th Grade
Marine Biologist -- 5th & 6th Grades
No Idea -- I'm sure as a small person I probably thought I'd be a ballerina or a vet the most often.
The career plans that recur often and fill the gaps between "big scheme" aspirations are probably chef, novelist, and copy editor, so maybe I should focus my energy there. Except I don't want the lifestyle of a chef, and I don't want the pressure to write of a novelist. I guess I'll look back into copy editing.
I need a goal right now. I need something to drive me, but I don't have anything. I have zero motivation right now. Being an adult doesn't suit me...not that I can be a child again. That won't work. I need to find something that I can be passionate about that will pay the bills. My passions do not pay the bills, but I just can't focus or stay with something reasonable.
I also need to indulge my passion for biology. Damn you chemistry for steering me away from biology!
Tech Writer -- February 2011 to present
Copy Editor -- November 2010 thru February 2011
PhD in Narratology or Sci-fi / Fantasy--August 2009 thru November 2010
No Idea -- December 2008 thru August 2009
Database Developer -- July 2008 thru December 2008
Novelist -- First few months after finishing undergrad
Copy Editor -- Last year of undergrad
Middle School English Teacher -- Almost the full first 3 years of undergrad
No Idea -- Junior into senior year, while trying to decide where to apply for college
Medical Examiner (autopsies) -- Sophomore into Junior year (high school)
Surgeon -- Freshman into Sophomore year (high school)
Novelist -- 7th Grade
Chef -- 8th Grade
Marine Biologist -- 5th & 6th Grades
No Idea -- I'm sure as a small person I probably thought I'd be a ballerina or a vet the most often.
The career plans that recur often and fill the gaps between "big scheme" aspirations are probably chef, novelist, and copy editor, so maybe I should focus my energy there. Except I don't want the lifestyle of a chef, and I don't want the pressure to write of a novelist. I guess I'll look back into copy editing.
I need a goal right now. I need something to drive me, but I don't have anything. I have zero motivation right now. Being an adult doesn't suit me...not that I can be a child again. That won't work. I need to find something that I can be passionate about that will pay the bills. My passions do not pay the bills, but I just can't focus or stay with something reasonable.
I also need to indulge my passion for biology. Damn you chemistry for steering me away from biology!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
So You Want to Be an Editor? (Maybe)
I always knew it would be hard. When I looked into it during my undergraduate career, I was sure there was no way I could get in. All the internships seemed to require previous internships, and some of them were just not affordable. I wasn't sure publishing institutes worked. Everywhere I looked everyone said being overeducated was a hindrance to getting in, so I didn't go to a publishing institute. Big mistake--though I'm still not sure I want to go into publishing, so a potential big mistake. We'll see. Anywho...
When I met Cheryl Klein this past November, she finally gave me all the information I had wanted:
Step 1. Develop an internet presence. Blog, tweet, comment on other blogs, comment on publishers' web sites. Learning this while in grad school is bad timing. I don't have time for all of this right now, but I'm gonna try. Once this semester starts, I'm committing myself to one blog a week. I'll probably talk about cooking almost as much as I talk about books.
Step 2. Read, read, read. Read the books you like, read reviews, read publisher's weekly. I already read nearly non-stop, and it's often not the stuff I'd be interested in editing. I'm in grad school. There are requirements, but I'll make it work. I'd heard some of this before, but Cheryl made the process seem so much less random, and much more productive.
Step 3. Learn the ropes. If you're still an undergrad, try to get an internship. A lot of large publishing companies offer unpaid internships, which can be invaluable, but you often need to receive college credit to qualify. If you're not an undergrad, take some courses in publishing. Cheryl Klein recommended the summer publishing institutes at Columbia and the University of Denver. I had looked at DU before, but I'm looking again with the assurance that it is worth it, but I'd really like to get a little closer to the action and go to Columbia.
Step 4. Get connected. Attending a publishing institute is a good way to network, but if it doesn't pan out, get a job in NYC doing whatever so that you can do informational interviews. Cheryl suggested that a lot of people do informational interviews to leave an impression with hiring editors, to gain knowledge about publishers, and to get their resumes put on file.
This is the general plan that Cheryl gave out (with some edits by me), so this is my plan (if I decide I don't like tech writing, but I might love tech writing). It's weird writing this blog to no one, but I'm gonna do it, and perhaps it will stop being to no one. My roommate and I are going to split a subscription to publisher's weekly. I've started reading Cheryl Klein's blog, and I'm hoping to expand my awareness of editors' blogs over time. Does Harriet McDougal keep one?
When I met Cheryl Klein this past November, she finally gave me all the information I had wanted:
Step 1. Develop an internet presence. Blog, tweet, comment on other blogs, comment on publishers' web sites. Learning this while in grad school is bad timing. I don't have time for all of this right now, but I'm gonna try. Once this semester starts, I'm committing myself to one blog a week. I'll probably talk about cooking almost as much as I talk about books.
Step 2. Read, read, read. Read the books you like, read reviews, read publisher's weekly. I already read nearly non-stop, and it's often not the stuff I'd be interested in editing. I'm in grad school. There are requirements, but I'll make it work. I'd heard some of this before, but Cheryl made the process seem so much less random, and much more productive.
Step 3. Learn the ropes. If you're still an undergrad, try to get an internship. A lot of large publishing companies offer unpaid internships, which can be invaluable, but you often need to receive college credit to qualify. If you're not an undergrad, take some courses in publishing. Cheryl Klein recommended the summer publishing institutes at Columbia and the University of Denver. I had looked at DU before, but I'm looking again with the assurance that it is worth it, but I'd really like to get a little closer to the action and go to Columbia.
Step 4. Get connected. Attending a publishing institute is a good way to network, but if it doesn't pan out, get a job in NYC doing whatever so that you can do informational interviews. Cheryl suggested that a lot of people do informational interviews to leave an impression with hiring editors, to gain knowledge about publishers, and to get their resumes put on file.
This is the general plan that Cheryl gave out (with some edits by me), so this is my plan (if I decide I don't like tech writing, but I might love tech writing). It's weird writing this blog to no one, but I'm gonna do it, and perhaps it will stop being to no one. My roommate and I are going to split a subscription to publisher's weekly. I've started reading Cheryl Klein's blog, and I'm hoping to expand my awareness of editors' blogs over time. Does Harriet McDougal keep one?
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