Goals

So...I'm starting the year out with several goals. I'm not going to call them "resolutions" because that doesn't really seem to work out for too many people. By the end of January, most people seem to have abandoned their "resolutions" and have forgotten that they ever thought of such a thing.

So, my GOALS for this year are the following:

1. To write every day. However, "writing" might mean that I'm researching something on some days.

2. To finish the novel that I have started working on. I've had this book in my head for several eyars. This will be the year that I complete it. I started taking a "write your novel in a year" online workshop a few months ago and have the whole thing outlined -- including very thorough character development, etc.

3. To work on time management. I need to do something to become more efficient with my time. I've got so much going on all the time and I need to try to figure out a way to become a little more organized.

4. Lose weight. I have about 70 pounds to lose. Before Christmas, I had 60 pounds I wanted to lose. Darn it!! Unfortunately, during the holiday season, I gave myself permission to eat with utter abandon. I need to get myself back on track and get serious about this diet thing. So far this year -- on 1/11/11 -- I have not gotten serious AT ALL! I don't have any excuses other than my total lack of discipline and just not feeling like doing it. I'm toying around with three different diet plans -- Metabolic Research Center, Weight Watchers and South Beach. They all have their pros and cons. I just need to pick something and engage. I signed up to do a weight loss challenge that starts on the 22nd so my time for getting serious is now!

5. Run a 5k. This will entail my actually starting to exercise regularly. I decided t hat I will start off slowly by walking five days a week. (Since my exercise lately has included walking to work and back from the parking garage.) After a couple weeks of regularly exercising, I'm going to work into the "couch to 5k" exercise routine that I found online.

So far, of the five goals that I've listed above, the only one that I've seriously worked at is writing every day. I'm dedicated to getting the story done this year. Unfortunately, I'm getting hung up on the whole "showing versus telling" thing. I slip into "telling" without even realizing it. Part of the learning curve, I hear.