seven in eleven ...

because it rhymes. and it is less than last year. and because i wanna.

1. be early - apparently 'be on time' doesn't work so well for me. so this year, i aim for earliness. i have a book whenever i go somewhere, so being a few minutes early will not be a hardship. and the peaceful conscience that accompanies promptness is something i very much wish to acquire.

2. be scrupulously honest - i am not saying i am a liar, liar, pants on fire, but i do struggle with honesty when it paints me in a poor light. not saying anything, or twisting truths comes a little too easily for me. i want to cut this ugly blemish in my character out completely. of course, the main goal is to be honest with myself - the rest will follow ...

3. read one quality book per month - no restrictions on what i need to read or when. in fact, if the count of monte cristo doesn't get read until i am on my deathbed (or at all), i am going to be okay with this. the chances i will enjoy a book i feel i HAVE to read are slim to nil - and i want to enjoy reading. but i do want to increase my discipline in reading non-junk-food books. only 25 of the 150 books i read in 2010 were more than fluff, and only 9 qualified as quality (in my opinion). the list to the right are books i have wanted to read for years, plus a few from various '2010's best books' lists i came across.

4. journal thoughts and feelings everyday - i have observed a pattern in dealing (or should i say avoiding) feelings: if i don't overeat, i overspend. if i get the spending under control, i go nutso with the eating. either way, i am not dealing with the feelings. of course, i have journaled in the past and not had it fix this challenge - but this time is different. it is not a journal for posterity - or any kind of public consumption. it is just feelings. good, bad and ugly. can't hurt to try, hmmm?

5. audition for 3 shows - i would love to write that i will be in 3 shows, but i can't control that part (yet!), but i can commit to the auditioning. oh, and part of this is getting new headshots completed as well - should be interesting!

6. increase daily step average to 7500 and swim at least 1/week - i hope to exceed this goal, but it is realistic and achievable as is.

7. go back to school - although i have postponed the starting of the program in project management i posted about before, i do still plan to start in august ... and this goal will help me stay focused on making it happen.

i am very excited for 2011. i don't remember being excited for 2010, so this is a nice feeling ... let's see where it leads!