Family, Career, Health, Community & Blogging

I like New Years resolutions.  I think if I set my mind to something, I can accomplish anything, however, I also like to be realistic.  Sure I may want to win the Chicago marathon but genetics are probably not going to allow that to happen.  So this year as I’ve looked back on the accomplishments, the good times, the disappointments and the times we wish we could call “do-over,” I came up with this list for 2011:

Family

• Do not hold them to my expectations, let them be who they are and if they stumble along the way, be there to provide love.  Support them but don’t allow them to drain me emotionally.  If they try to, flick them in the forehead.
• Engage in new experiences.  Stray away from the routine and expose ourselves to different cultures, religions and surroundings.  However, new experiences do not mean new golf courses – don’t even try it.
• Expand our family – it may be the four-legged or the two-legged kind or it may be building on an existing friendship so that they become like family.  Creepy, crawly things do not count.

Career

• Go back to school.  It may be to finish my masters, begin a career in a new field or enhance my existing skill sets.  Either way, education is key.  Hey, if I want to take a class in underwater basket weaving, so be it.
• Be open to opportunities.  Sometimes you have to take risks to get where you want to be. 

Health

• Take my vitamins everyday.  I’ve been sick a ridiculous amount of times this year and need to boost my immune system!  I can’t blame it on my daughter forever.
• Try new things.  I’m a runner through & through.  Run a 5K?  No problem.  Climb a flight of stairs?  I’m winded.  So its time to use some of those other muscle groups and who knows, I may just find something I like & be able to walk a flight of stairs without gasping for breath.
• Be regular – read into that however you want to.

Community

• Find an organization to focus my energy and contributions to.  There are many great causes and I’d love to give to all of them but to avoid donation fatigue I’m going to adopt and focus on one charity that has special meaning to me.  When the others come knocking, they’ll have to “talk to the hand.”

Blogging

• Be more regular (again read into this however you want).
• Determine the focus of my blog.  Right now its a little bit of everything and I like that but maybe my followers don’t.  Find out what is working and what needs improvement.
• Teach two of my very good friends how to become followers on Google Friend Connect.  Really?  They can’t figure it out?  Or is that just an excuse…

Whatever your resolutions or goals are for 2011, may you have a safe and happy new year.  Spend it with people you love or at least like and see how long it takes you to remember its 2011 when writing the date.  For me, usually by mid-February I get it.

Cheers!