I’ve never been much of a resolutions person. But I do like to take some time at the end of the year to reflect on the past year and then think ahead to the coming year of what I would like to be different. In 2010, I quit a full-time job to focus on my own business and my family, watched my son grow at astonishing speeds, had a horrific bike accident that ended up in an ambulance ride to the hospital and have appeared on local and national television, including CNN, twice! Needless to say, it has been a roller coaster.
Like many moms, I struggle at times balancing my business, family and personal time. Personal time is the easiest to set aside, though I know that I cannot be a good wife, a good mother or a good dietitian if I don’t find time to do the things that help me relax, unwind, or reconnect with who I am. It is one of the reasons that I took on the challenge this past summer of getting back in shape for a sprint triathlon. As I’ve already mentioned, that didn’t go so well. I ended up with a concussion and a separated shoulder, which still has not fully healed, not to mention the psychological impact the bike accident had on me. While I have no plans to get back on my bike anytime soon, I have focused on other areas of my life where I find enjoyment and made sure that I schedule “me” time periodically. I love that one of my dietitian colleagues has taken this concept and really run with it, starting the “me” movement. Read about it and take the pledge here: http://nurtureprinciples.com/the-me-movement/pledge/.
I’m also learning to better manage my time, which involves lots of planning. Of course the most difficult thing is to take the time to plan. But I feel so much more at ease and relaxed during the week when I have a meal plan in place, grocery lists made with coupons attached, and a daily schedule of what I want to accomplish.
So this year, instead of making half-hearted resolutions, I’m focusing on goal setting. And not just any goals, but SMART goals. In order to be truly successful, goals must be:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely (or Tangible, but personally I need the time element!)
While it is great to have far-reaching long-term goals, I also need weekly and monthly goals. Just like I counsel my clients on making small changes on a daily and weekly basis to get big results in the end, I’m taking one day, one week and one month at a time. The big picture is always there, but is the here and now where the focus must be in order to get there.
What are your goals for 2011?
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