Warning: The beginning of this post is somewhat jumbled and could be frustrating to the reader. The independent thoughts are eventually completed, I promise. Just bear with me.
I am a list-maker by nature. Whether at work, school or home, I find great satisfaction in making lists and subsequently crossing off items upon completion.
Separate, but related: in participating in the Best of 2009 Blog Challenge, I tried to remember all of the highlights of 2009 and I’m sure that I forgot many great memories and moments.
So, to tie these two thoughts together, below is my list of to dos for 2010. Some are minor, while others are goals for the entire year. It is my hope that this list (by being public in nature) will help me stick to these goals. In addition, it provides a great opportunity for me to document some of the year’s achievements, no matter how small.
- Stop biting my nails. It is a gross, annoying habit that I need to stop. Now.
- Read more. Lately, it’s become so easy to come home from work and turn on the TV. However, I need to start reading more books. I used to be such an avid reader and I have lost that as I’ve gotten older. Whether professional or non, I need to start picking up more books. UPDATE: Arik Hanson pointed me to this blog post about reading a book a week for one year. I think I may try it. Thanks for the tip!
- Take more pictures. Though I have my new camera, I haven’t attempted to use the features that make it so cool. With my recent acquisition of a hand-me-down tripod, I will be testing out shutter speed, along with other aspects of my Nikon.
- Commit to exercise. I go through spurts of exercising every day, and then not. In 2010, I will make a commitment to life-long behavior change and personal health.
- Be a tourist in MSP. There are so many amazing things happening in Minneapolis throughout the year and I don’t take advantage of them. So, this means signing up for the City of Lakes Loppet and finally partaking in the artist-designed mini golf at the Walker. I am going to take full advantage of the wonderful city in which I live in 2010. And who knows, maybe I’ll even venture into St. Paul
- Build and grow relationships. This goal was almost too general for me to include, but it is one of the most important. In both my personal and professional life, I need to be better and fostering relationships. I need to be a better friend (by calling more often and setting up coffee dates) and I need to be better at growing professional relationships that I have developed in the office and online.
So, that’s it. My goals for 2010. Specfic and broad, personal and professional. What are your goals for this new year? Note: I refuse to call these “resolutions,” as I am convinced that word severely hinders accomplishment. Any tips or thoughts on mine?
#1 by Jesse on January 13, 2010 - 8:36 pm
One of Jesse Swakow’s goals for 2010: Comment more on Kristin’s blog
But in all seriousness, I really enjoyed reading about your goals. I think posting resolutions (by any name) is really courageous, an admission of weaknesses you see in yourself and your plans to make them into strengths. Very commendable.
Despite having my 2009 resolutions displayed on a “post-it note” on my desktop for the entire year, I still felt somewhat unfulfilled. I was talking to my Dad about this over the holidays and he brought up the importance of making them quantifiable, an idea that had never really occurred to me. Makes sense though – any goals that we truly want to hold ourselves accountable should be measurable. So I’ve fashioned my 2010 resolutions with that in mind. Just an idea…although I may be kicking myself for it come December 2010.
Miss you!