the new year commences ...

2009 started on a BUSY note ... so much for quietly welcoming in the new year with well thought out goals. not that they aren't well thought out, it is just that they are a little tardy. which, in and of itself, means i am already behind on my goals!! ahhh the irony! but, for those keeping track (namely, me) here they are:

1. read "the count of monte cristo" by alexander dumas ... this has been on my goal list for FOUR years. for some reason i have this mental block about accomplishing my goals too early in the year. because if, heaven forbid, i were to read this classic before the end of say, april, i might actually have to add ANOTHER QUALITY BOOK TO THE LIST!! oh, the horror. the constant procrastination leads to another calendar year passing, and the spine remains un-cracked ... i thought of making it a goal to read it before the end of june, but i want to show i can do well even when not commanded in all things.

2. be early. (yes, this is the ironical goal) ... i used to be early for EVERYTHING! then i slipped a little and started showing up ON TIME for things ... then, then, then ... you get the picture. as baby steps in accomplishing this goal, i am banning reliance on the second alarm and all use of the snooze button. you see, it is a fine art form in my life. set one alarm 20 minutes before i want to get up - rejoice upon realizing i get 20 more minutes (or gloat depending on mood). set second alarm at the IDEAL time to arise from my bed - debate (for at least 3 seconds) whether i will get up or take the 6 minute snooze. use snooze button until the last possible moment when i will still be able to make it on time. follow with additional lazy choices that result in a borderline-on-time-if-i-am-lucky appearance wherever i am going. i don't like the way that feels (not to mention how it looks!), and i not only need to improve this, i want to. snooze be gone!

3. continually strive to increase health - in all areas ... as mentioned on more than one occasion, breaking my leg this summer forcibly reminded me of the need to do better in this area. i have made great strides over the years, but there is always room for more improvement. because this is a rather general goal, i am adding the following three specifics (which may change as needed):

*take my lunch hour away from my desk and be conscious whenever eating - no mindless binges!!
*continue to do yoga 2x a week, increase walking to 1 hour a day by end of year
*maintain journal of food, activity, and emotions to help identify problem spots as well as celebrate successes

4. socialize ... surprising as this may seem, i struggle with this. part of it is the generic, "no one invites me" rut most of us get into at one point or another, but it is also because i have become much more reclusive in the past few years. i want to make an effort to interact IN PERSON with others more - both those i already know as well as new people. to this end i will plan 4 activities this year and invite others to join in the fun. (note: the last activity i planned was for the same day i broke my leg, i am a little cautious about this now ... (smiles))

in the past, my lists have been longer, more detailed, and certainly more regimented. but i realized this past year that i am pretty happy with who i am and any goals i set need to enhance what i have, not change who i am and what i do. i do have some other long term goals i am still pondering, but for now, these will do!

in the comments, please share one goal you want to accomplish in 2009 ...