Word.

Two years ago, around this same time, there was some kind of hype going on about not making any resolutions for the new year, but instead choosing a word that you would make your word for the year.  I don’t know, something like relax, or faith, or growth.  My friend brought it to my attention.  She chose the word BREATHE, so I thought, what the heck.

I chose the word CREATE.  I wanted nothing less to create wonderful writings.  Also to create some interesting crafts, grow a great garden, create a home from a  real dump we were living in.  It’s funny how things work.  What I ended up creating is sleeping next to me right now, curled into a little ball, her little Clifford binky lying beside her.  It makes me smile thinking of it.  The irony.

This year, my friend’s word is RELEASE and her husband is playing along.  His word is HUMILITY.

2013 was good to me.  We moved away and that was hard.  It still is, but overall the year was good.  This year, I’ve made a few resolutions and I’ve also chosen a word.  My resolutions are more like goals and my word is DILIGENCE.  I must have diligence in order to accomplish my goals.  My focus for this year 2014 is going to be writing and my health, aka my dress size.

When I was teaching school, there were two things we did that I pretty much hated to do, but were necessary for success.

The number 1) we kept a planner of what each day’s lessons were.

and  number 2) we made goals for the kids.

We looked at where they needed to be at the END, and we set SMART goals.

specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound.

The resolutions of “I’ll lose weight, I’ll study the Bible more, I’ll exercise” are too generic.  They are more like hopes and wishes with no action plan in place.

“I’ll lose weight” needs to have a measurable amount, how much weight are you wanting to lose?  It needs to be attainable, not 100 pounds before summer.  It needs to measured (by a scale or measuring tape) and it needs a deadline.

A better way to state the goal is:  “I will weigh X pounds by March 1.”

That goal is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound.  Then on March 1, evaluate your progress and set a new goal.

Now, wake up everybody!  I know that was boring, but it was necessary.   I like setting goals and the truth is, I can usually attain whatever I’m after if I have the written goal and a plan of action.  So, after that lesson in goal setting, I give you mine.

GOAL #1–My Body:

– lose 16 pounds by March 10, my 39th birthday.

How:  Incorporate a clean eating meal plan that I’ve already gathered.  Spend each Sunday doing meal prep for the week for breakfast and lunch.  And exercise to my home video Slim in 6 4 days a week, alternating days.

I’ll be following this Clean eating plan for the first 14 days with some modifications.

http://www.blessthismessplease.com/2012/11/eating-clean-2-week-plan.html?showComment=1352329785873

GOAL #2—My Mind:

Write!

How:  1)Blog once a week or more (every Tuesday).  2)Write one Helium article per week. 3) Finish a book I’m working on by March 31st.  In order to do that I need to write a minimum of  1000 words a week 4 days a week.

Read!

How:  Read at least one book every month—-12 books by year’s end.

GOAL #3—-My Spirit:

Maintain a positive attitude and practice gratitude.

How:  Continue writing in my gratitude journal.  Make 3-5 entries every night.

GOAL #4—-My Soul:

Grow my faith in Jesus.

How:  Spend at least 10 minutes daily in Bible reading, journaling and prayer.  Memorize the Book of Colossians following the plan for memorizing 2 verses a week, following this schedule:

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/01/the-seven-habits-of-highly-effective-bible-memorization-habit-1-for-a-new-year/

Yes this is a lot, I am no dummy.   And quite honestly, I didn’t want to post them.  I thought to myself that I would just keep them written down for only my eyes to see, but there I go losing ALL accountability.

So I share them with you all, my friends, who I know will be rooting for me.   It will take DILIGENCE on my part.  And one more small little thing called FOCUS.  So in order to focus more on my goals, I am erasing distractions from my life, the number one distraction being facebook.  I will be deleting FB from my phone, and only allowing myself to get on fb from my computer, which I don’t use nearly as much as my phone.

2014 will be my year!!!

Bring it!

Oh, yeah……forgot to mention.  I’m starting next week.  I’m away from home and although it may sound like an excuse, it’s a better guarantee for success for me to be at home.

How about you?  Resolutions?  Or a word?  Or both?

Share with me if you’d like.

Happy New Year!!!