It's that time of year where pretty much everyone has made a list of goals they'd like to accomplish at some point during the year, or just things they'd like to do better. Usually I'm the same way (although apparently my muse despises resolutions...), but this year I'm trying something different. I'm not making any actual resolutions.
I have a few reasons for this. First, I just didn't really have any time to think about it. My full time job pretty much takes up all of my time. The 11-7:30 shift was a lot more difficult than I anticipated. I spend most of the morning just getting ready (both physically and mentally) for work, and then after work I'm exhausted. I just want to eat dinner, maybe watch some TV and then pass out. My days off are usually spent doing chores like laundry and grocery shopping. So there's not a lot of time left for anything else. Luckily I'll be switching to an earlier shift in a couple weeks (probably 6:30-3) so I think I'll be able to make better use of my spare time.
But the other reason for not making any resolutions was that I just wasn't feeling it. I feel like I make the same exact goals every year and never accomplish them. Lose weight, finish my book, publish some poems, read 100 books. It just never works out. I'm kind of tired of the disappointment.
So I thought this year I would take a different approach. I still have the same goals I've always had, but I'm trying to think of them in a different way. I don't want to push myself on too many things so that I burn out right away and give up. I want to start tackling these goals in a more realistic way. One step at a time. Maybe work an hour on UL's third draft at this point, maybe go to the gym on this day, say no to pizza and get a salad. I don't want to try to do everything at once or think too much about what needs to be done in the future. Just try to do my best one day at a time. And if I need a day to relax and do nothing, then that's ok.
I have no idea if this approach will work but I guess without making any concrete goals, even if I accomplish one tiny thing, it will be a small victory. I've just got to take everything one tiny step at a time.
How do you tackle your goals? Did you make any resolutions this year?
I think this is a good approach to take. I've stopped making resolutions as well. I hope your work will improve with the earlier shift soon. Take care!
ReplyDeleteI never make resolutions, only goals. For the most part, I reach them too--although I get exactly what you're saying. Some years I don't set a single goal (other than my Goodreads book goal), and those years turn out pretty great too. Here's to doing what you can and living life to its fullest!
ReplyDeleteI never liked the 11-7:30 at my retail jobs. I always pushed to get the morning shifts whenever I could, for the reasons you detailed above.
ReplyDeleteI think I generally make the exact same goals every day. I fail on a few of them every time, but I think if I keep making them, then one year I'm bound to do it, right?
But I always break down my goal. I have a big goal for the year, which then gets broken up into monthly goals, which then gets broken up into weekly goals, and then daily goals. I haven't done hourly goals yet, but maybe I should try it?
Best of luck to you. I think you have a great approach planned.
My sister hates when she had to work that mid-shift. I can see how it would be annoying. I'd love to start my work day at 10am, though. I'm not a person until around then. lol
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed the earlier shift will help you find a better groove. And remember, even though the steps are small, you're still moving forward, and that's what counts. :)
ReplyDeleteYes! And it's okay if your list of goals is small or if it changes over the course of a year. Just tackle one thing at a time! Much success to your new year.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a good way to approach resolutions. When we fail (and don't we almost always?), the disappointment makes us give up entirely. Maybe we have to assume failure and be ready to try again, and again, as many times as it takes.
ReplyDeleteNot making resolutions is a good idea if you struggle to keep them. Adding the stress is unnecessary. If you're motivated to at least do one of them, without making it concrete, then you will. I hope you make your usual goals this year. :)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a much better schedule.
ReplyDeleteTackle those goals monthly or in small chunks. Or individually. Sometimes as a whole, they are scary.
I make goals, although I don't like to think of them as resolutions. For me, finding a small doable goal is key. For example, when I started exercising, my first goal was to exercise 5-10 minutes a day and then increase it once a month by five minutes until I reached my top goal of thirty minutes. Breaking a goal up or doing something for so many minutes makes goals so much more attainable.
ReplyDeleteI think a small-steps approach is good. You'll feel less guilty and more accomplished. Keep it up, and I hope you get that new schedule!
ReplyDeleteI think that's a good idea. If it's not working for you, time to find a new approach. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteSo many people make resolutions and fail because they set huge goals or too many at once. It's probably better to try a different approach if it works for you.
ReplyDeleteOf course, the only way to know if it works is to update us all in December at the latest. ;)
My resolutions tend to be the same too. I try to avoid the mentality that I need to accomplish everything all at one time overnight. I give myself permission to take small steps here, small steps there.
ReplyDeleteI definitely know that I make the same goals every year. Sigh... But 2016 is the year when I finally make that goal of finishing my book. I just know it.
ReplyDeleteThe only resolution I made for this upcoming year is quite modest: more writing, less blogging, and more pimping of myself on social media.
ReplyDeleteI Are Writer!
I know what you mean about 11am being an awkward time. One of my shifts used to start at that time, and I was barely able to squeeze a slightly more leisurely breakfast in, let alone think about trying to write! I hope you find a schedule that works for you.
ReplyDeleteResolutions do tend to put too much pressure on people. Hopefully this new way of looking at things works out for you!
ReplyDeleteI get what you mean about resolutions. I think a lot of us tend to do it ... and over do it. And you're so right. At least it is usually the same for me. Lose weight, commit to working out some unreasonable amount of time, resolve to finish revising my book, finish draft of another, volunteer more, and so on. I'm the same way with ToDo list. If I counted up all the time I spent making list and actually spent the time being productive -- well? But my list are part of my brainstorming so I don't see giving them up. I like your attitude. Just take it one day at a time and do what's best for you. I don't know how people work swing shifts, but I am such a night owl, I could easily work a midnight shift and love it, but then that doesn't leave much room for family time. I've faced far too many family crisis lately and I'm recognizing more and more each day just how precious and fragile life is. We don't know how long we have with our loved ones, regardless of their age or ours. I'm not committing to any resolutions this year, but I am committing to family, values, and teaching my children morals, integrity and that they need to realize the importance of family. I want them to treasure it, now, while we are all here. Live life so that when a loved one is gone you don't have regrets for things left unsaid or things left undone. Sorry I got so mushy. Have a great 2016. I have a feeling things will fall into place now that you are looking at it with your positive mentality. No sense making resolutions just to set yourself up to fail. Do what is good for you because it feels right. I really like your way of approaching the the new year.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great approach :). I stopped making resolutions last year, and I'm not making any for this year either. What will be, will be. I read somewhere recently that if you want to stick to a resolution or a goal, you should ask yourself a question instead of making a statement, e.g. instead of saying, 'I will lose weight/join a gym/publish a book,' you say, 'do I want to lose weight/join a gym/write a book?' - and if the answer is yes, then you're more likely to accomplish your goal...apparently. It's an interesting concept, but I doubt it would work for me either, so I have no resolutions this year ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm not exactly making resolutions this year either, but I do have goals. It's easy to confuse the two. Happy New Year to you! :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your goals! I know how hard it is.. I consistently have a tough time with them. I imagine the work schedule doesn't help, but do you have breaks/lunches? I used to write during those when I worked and probably will try to again once I've acquired a job.
ReplyDeleteEvery year I have a book goal. I average around 50, but always try to shoot for higher. Always end up around 50 haha.. last year I got I think.. 53 read?