One question for you as we approach the new year: what is it time for?
Instead of setting yourself a list of self-improvement goals that are bound to produce more guilt than change (if the statistics are right), take an optimistic approach. Think about the different goals or outings or classes you’ve had in mind for “someday.” Which ones are ready to have their day in 2014? Write them down.
As a parent, I suggest you also take the opportunity to evaluate how your children are growing and maturing and consider what new things they may be ready to tackle. Is it time to get your youngest out on skis for the first time? Is your eldest ready for that father-daughter camping trip? Will someone in your family cross an age limit or size barrier that allows them to venture into new territory? Write down those options whose time will arrive in 2014.
And as you ponder a list for what you hope to experience this year, I’d like to challenge you to include a reach goal – something you’ve been putting off and putting off. Maybe it’s time to start that business you’ve been wanting to own. Or train for a marathon. Give yourself a chance to try something difficult. Because the only thing worse than failing, is failing to try.
As for me, among other pursuits, it’s time to research Italy and all it has to offer. I may not be traveling there in 2014, but if I’m ever to make that far out dream come true, it’s going to take some down-to-earth knowledge and specific thoughts on what that “someday” trip will look like. I’ve been talking about it for too long. This year I’m going to dig in deep and put flesh on the bones on my hopes to visit there. It’s time to get more serious about that dream so that one year its time will truly come.
[Update: I’ve shared more about my resolutions for 2014 over at Christina Katz’s blog, along with some other terrific mom writers. Stop by and hear what these women hope to do in 2014. Then share your own career-related resolution for a chance to win 15 e-books!]
I am always excited to start a new year and new challenges. As you suggested I am taking an optimistic approach and following what makes me happy. Excited about several new writing courses on the horizon. Happy New Year.
Nice! Glad to hear it, Sue! It will be fun to see where that takes you. Happy New Year!
Great thought on the reach goal… That is definitely the hardest part!
And yet I believe you are always giving yourself a new “reach” goal, Emily. Or at least you’re always stretching the limits of what you can do and proving yourself capable of amazing things. I’m going to push myself to reach for helping more and more moms & families (& have some daring ideas for how I’ll go about it).