New Years 2012- Goals and Resolutions

Last year (2011), I made resolutions and goals for the very first time!  It’s time to review, and to make new ones . . . maybe? 

2011 Check In – Resolutions – How did I do?

1.  Learn how to budget . . . stick to in . . . and stop spending money on unnecessary things.  I’m definitely better at this than I used to be, I would have to say!  Not perfect, as the draw of going to Winners on a Friday night is sometimes to strong to resist, but I came leaps and bounds compared to where I used to be.  Like, now, I actually have money in my back account!  That’s what it’s there for I’m learning!

2. I’m giving up magazines.  I find that they used to be an enjoyable event, to what is now a stressful occurrence.  When I look at the pile that just seems to grow and grow and grow, I get stressed out.  I guess I’m spending my time doing different activities these days . . . like blogging!!  I have DEFINITELY succeeded at this resolution! I did not spend unnecessary time, or money reading magazines . . . and truthfully, I didn’t really miss them!  I never would have thought that I wouldn’t miss them, as I lived and breathed for the new issue of my favourites to come out.    

2011 Check In – Goals – How did I do?

1. I am not going to gossip.  

Oops.  Pretty sure I did . . . at least once that I can think of, off the top of my head . . . this morning.

2. I am going to read (at least) one book a month. 

I should have added . . . “if I don’t start a business”.  Little did I know!  I have read . . . a book this year.  Actually, I think I read at least 4.

3. I need to learn to let go of things that I have no control over. Water off a duck’s back . . .

Hmm.  This one is a hard one.  I’m trying hard not to obsess about other people’s opinions, but it’s so hard! 

4. I am going to train to run a distance > 10k. 

Nope. My excuse for this one will be gallbladder surgery.  I’m really good at excuses!

5. I am going to learn to be more forgiving and patient with others.  They are not me, I am not them. 

Nope. Definitely haven’t master this goal yet!

6. I am going to learn how to work on Cookies, Cupcakes and Cardio while balancing my full time teaching job. 

And cake business and instructing spinning!

7. I am going to stick with a gym routine that works for me. M/W/F 6:00am+ spinning = gym routine! 

Continued spinning Wednesday mornings at 6:00, but the Monday and Friday of this goal fell through!

8. I am going to learn to be less selfish.  This one is going to be difficult as I’ve been working this way for 32 years! 

Ask Paul.

9.  I am going to learn to work my Sony Alpha 200 DSLR camera and take (amazing) food pictures.  

I improved from where I was a year ago, but I’m definitely not taking great food pictures yet.

10. I am going to learn how to decorate beautiful cakes. 

YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!

11. I am going to learn to accept criticism.  Without hating the other person. 

Why are #3, #5 and #11, so much alike?  Might I have a problem dealing with other people?

Where I was a year ago, seems like so long ago.  I had no idea what 2011 had in store for me, and it took me to a place where, I may have failed on my goals for 2011, but I have succeeded in so many other areas.  I had NO IDEA that starting a cake business, and buying a house was in the cards for me. 

Even though I did so “poorly” on 2011 Goals, I’m going to make them again for 2012.  I like the look back that it gives the following year . . . it’s interesting to see where I have come from and what was important a year ago.

 

12 Goals for 2012

 

1. Cook dinner once a week.  It’s too easy just to grab something when you’re busy.

2. I am going to read (at least) one book every two months.

3.  To excercise with Paul (hike, bike, snowshoe, ski) every Sunday.  It’s our only day a week to relax.

4. I am going to train to run a distance > 5k.

5. Pay off my remaining Student Loan.

6. Pay down my Line of Credit.

7. Be more organized!  Or Paul will move out. 

8. Work at being more healthy (food, weight, exercise)

9.  To do more Cardio blog posts and YouTube videso

10. Continue to learn how to decorate beautiful cakes, and find inspiration to make my own designs.

11. Stay out of the Staff Room at work! There is too much noise and gossip in there.

12. Learn how to use my Cricut Cake better!

 

That should about do it!  Hopefully I can make it through 2012 with as much success, and uncharted territory as I did this year!  

 

What are YOUR goals or resolutions for 2012?