Resolutions

So like many of you, the days between Christmas and New Year' have probably been busy. I know it's been hard around here to get back to "normal"; the Crack Monkeys were just to comfortable with not having to get up early and go to school, I guess. But, we're finally getting back into the swing of things, I think.

It makes me laugh that the start of a new year encourages us to set goals and resolutions to improve, but at the same time, it forces us to return to our regularly scheduled programs (lives) after weeks of being in a celebratory mood.

Yes, I went there.

Resolutions.

Do you set them every year? Is your list long? Short? I only ask because I've always been one to set resolutions during the first day of the brand spanking year, as if it was my duty. The only problem was that I usually set the deadline for the end of the year, and by February, I'd be off the wagon.

It's fun setting goals and thinking about accomplishing them. Sadly, however, I'm one of those people that lose interest once the going gets tough or my goal loses its glitter.

Pathetic, I know.

However, I think I've come up with a way that'll make me stick to my goals this year: monthly goals.

It's so simple, I feel like an idiot. I applaud all you smart people who've already figured this out.

The plan: every month I'll set one or two goals to accomplish. During said month, that'll be the only thing I'll work on. The only rule I've set is that it has to be a realistic goal; for example, this moth's goals are to lose 4 lbs. and write a single chapter for my novel that I've been working on.

And, you know what? It's only the 10th of January and I'm already down 3 lbs. and that single chapter I've been working on is now 12 pages long.

Yes, I'm patting myself on the back.

I don't know why I haven't thought of this before, but I have realized that this takes a lot of change in mentality to do this...well, for me anyway. I feel good about this, but, I guess I'll just have to play the waiting game to see if it sticks.

Happy New Year!