New year resolutions are stupid! They just are.
Goals are much better.
We don’t follow through with resolutions because they are too easy to break. Once we break our resolution, it is easy to stop completely.
But a goal is just something to strive for. If we mess up, we can still keep working towards our goal.
Plus a “resolution” just does not make sense. A resolution is finding a solution too a problem. A typical resolution is not a solution to the desired change, it is just a desire to change. Big difference.
Last year (February 1st to be exact) I stopped watching t.v. To make sure I would stop I cancelled DirecTV completely. That made it really easy to stop watching! And an easy solution to the desired change.
Honestly, it has been so nice without t.v. that I am looking forward to another year t.v. free! I suppose you could call that a resolution although I did not consider it to be one at the time.
This leads to the purpose of this entry. Goals for 2008. Not resolutions. Goals.
One of the benefits to not watching t.v. is the time that I have had to read. Last year I read 14 books. Not a huge accomplishment, but a start. So my first goal for 2008 is to double that number and read 28 books this year.
Here is a complete list of goals for 2008:
Read 28 books.
I am already off to a good start. And I have a full lineup of additional books on the shelf.
Buy used whenever possible.
It is easy. It is less expensive. The stuff is often higher quality. The stuff is full of character and personality. It supports the community. And it is fun!
Volunteer 6 times.
This might be a challenge but I already have a couple of opportunities lined up.
Eliminate use of bottled water (the disposable kind).
I always use plastic/glass cups at home. And I am already in the habit of using 32oz Nalgene bottle.
(Image by imranchaudhry via Flickr, used under a Creative Commons license.)
