I really like the idea of New Year’s resolutions. I guess that’s part of writing in the self-help genre! The idea of striving to live a better life is powerful, even as it is often elusive.
Anyway, I’ve learned more over the years about how to make resolutions that actually stick. Think specific, positive actions, and ones with the logistics thought through. With that in mind, here are a few I’m planning to implement.
1. Cook enough on weekends to have good lunches and left-over dinners during the week. I’m getting a Crock Pot for Christmas (you know you’re a mom when you buy and wrap your own present) so that should aid in that endeavor. Over the holidays, I plan to assemble a few easy slow cooker recipes and commit the ingredient lists to heart so I can add them to the usual grocery list.
2. Strength train three times per week. I run regularly, but strength training has always taken a backseat to that. I’m giving my husband a weight set for Christmas (he knows, no spoiler alert necessary here) so the plan is to do 15 minutes, three times a week with that. I’m not sure what time of day yet — and I know I should decide that so it becomes a habit.
3. Post photos and mark categories on this blog. Put in links to “related” posts. I know from blogging professionally that I have not made this, my personal blog, nearly sticky enough. I’ve been reading Wandering Scientist’s blog today and I like how she handles these things. Not overwhelming, but stickier. This would require like 5 more minutes per post but what can I say. I’m lazy.
4. Write notes to people. For encouragement, thanks, etc. I always love receiving thoughtful notes from people so I’m sure others would appreciate receiving them too!
5. Take more photos and print them up. My kids are incredibly adorable. I probably look better now than I will in, say, 20 years. So why not capture these moments? If I’m debating whether or not to take a photo, the answer should be yes. Take the photo.
What are your resolutions?
flickr image courtesy of janineomg
Thanks for the compliment! The “you may also like” and pretty much all the “sticky” aspects of my blog are blogger components that I’ve plugged in. I don’t know what platform you’re using, but I suspect you can find similar things for it. I.e., it won’t take much work.
With that said, I have a bunch of additional ideas I’d like to try on my blog, but haven’t made the time to try them. So I know what you mean….
@Cloud – I hate recognizing in myself how externally motivated I am. Give me a paycheck for blogging and I put in all the bells and whistles. On my own, basically for the love of the game? Not so much… Btw, I’ve been meaning to write about the Lego BusinessWeek story too. I wound up thinking very differently than my first impression. The Legos I remember are emphatically unisex, as are the ones that Santa has informed me may arrive here soon. But I visited the Lego toy aisle at Target and yep, it was pretty much No Girls Allowed.
If you think legos are bad, check out the Toy Industry Association’s girl/boy lists and a reaction at http://www.good.is/post/girl-toys-boy-toys-unpacking-the-gender-issues-of-2011-s-hot-gifts/. Even better, a little lady’s response — http://www.good.is/post/intermission-a-little-girl-calls-out-sexist-marketing/
We just got the new Lego catalog. There is a whole line now for girls, the “Lego friends, where girls can build, create, remodel and redecorate.” Six new brick colors too! They range from a singer, to a vet, an inventor and more.
@Denise R- I know, I can’t wait to check out the new Legos. I don’t like sex segregation in toys, and Lego bricks in general are very unisex, but given how far to the Boy Side that Lego went with its previous kits, it’s good that they’re doing something for girls too.
Those sound like reasonable things to do- but you have 3 kids, so what are you going to drop to make time? My favorite crockpot recipes are chili, venison (could use beef) for tacos/burritos, beef with noodles, etc. Crockpot was a lifesaver when I was working but I use it much less now. Dried beans don’t do well in most crockpots. I like Mabel Hoffman’s Crockery Cookery (OLD book)
Oh, on the crock pot thing- Cooking Light has some awesome crock pot recipes. I like their crock pot lasagna and potato soup a lot. I also have a crock pot meatloaf recipe (from my mom) that is pretty good.
your goals sound reasonable. Even getting the pictures on to a disk and/or putting them on a digital frame will make things easier. I have set my screen saver to randomly place photos on the screen, the kids love to watch them.
I cook on the weekends for the week and it saves a lot of time.
There are lots of 15 minute workouts on Exercise Tv, if you have it.
Can’t comment positively on the Crock-Pot as I’ve tried it and my kids wouldn’t eat anything I made it in. (and they are not picky at all)
My resolution is to keep clutter off the stairs (all three sets). My new rule is ‘don’t put it down, put it away.”