#lifestylechangenotresolution

Oh, 2012--How good you were to me!  Graduation with a Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology, Oakcrest part dos, first real-life/adult/big-kid job (nailed my first interview!), 2 great relationships (due to what I learned, mostly), trips to Portland, Seattle, Vegas, and Orlando...really, the list could go on.

BUT, 2013--I am beyond excited for you!  Not totally sure 2012 can be beaten, but I know you'll put up a good fight. I've already planned a birthday escape for the big 2-5 to Seattle.  And more exciting plans could possibly be in the making.  Geez, you're gonna be great.

Every year, 44% of Americans make resolutions but do not keep them.  Sound familiar??  I swear, this happens to me every. single. year.  As I've reflected on why that is, only one thing sticks: I treat a resolution as a temporary change rather than a permanent, lasting change.  I'm sure that's not much of a surprise to anyone, but that really hit home for me this time around.  As I've thought about the changes I want to make, I'm focusing on those that can't be measured or restricted by time, things that don't have an expiration date.  I'm aiming to set goals that will improve my being by becoming habits and lifestyles changes rather than temporary ventures.  These are things that can be repeated over and over again instead of one-time items that can be checked off a list.  Some foster spiritual growth, increase knowledge, better relationships with others, and improve my health and well-being while others are purely superficial.

Daily

1.       10-15 minutes scripture study

2.       Personal prayer

3.       5 item gratitude journal

4.       20-30 minutes exercise (except Sunday)

5.       Drink more water than soda or milk

6.       Take multivitamin and biotin

7.       One fruit or vegetable

8.       Shave legs and other typically-hairy-although-not-always-socially-acceptable-to-be-hairy places

9.       Nightly bed routine (wash face, brush teeth, contacts, floss, mouthwash)

10.   Go to bed at 11 p.m. on weekdays, 1 a.m. on weekends and holidays

11.   10 minute tidy-up of living space

12.   10 minute tidy-up of office

13.   Create to-do list for the work day

14.   Perform one small act of service

15.   Tell someone important that I love them

Weekly

1.       No phone during church

2.       Study a new conference talk

3.       Date night (paid or free, doesn’t matter)

4.       Night with a girlfriend or family member

5.       Laundry

6.       Clean the bathroom

7.       Create to-do list for the work week

Monthly

1.       Attend the temple

2.       Get a manicure

3.       Read two books (preferably one fiction and one non-fiction)

4.       Attend ballet class

5.       Set a budget and review previous month’s budget

Quarterly

1.       Attend a cultural event/exhibit

2.       Run a race

3.       Create something (trying to channel my crafty side)

Am I slightly overwhelmed by even just the "Daily" list??  You bet.  BUT Imma work my tail off to get everything done each day, week, month, and quarter.  However, I'm not expecting perfection.  Life happens, and sometimes you simply can't plan for every single thing to get done every single day.  

To keep motivation high and discouragement low, I'm already reading The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg and The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  Not only will these books help me accomplish my monthly goal of reading two books, but I'm also highly recommending them.

I'm also rewarding myself at the end of every quarter (aka three months) with a weekend get-away.  Talk about motivation.