Over the weekend, I sat and really started thinking about my 2011 Goals.
What’s that you say? It’s January 10th already?
Hey, sometimes things take me a little extra time, don’t judge. Besides, it’s fun not to follow the crowd sometimes. 
Soooo, goals. Where do I start…
Well, first off, I know there’s been some good debate on the difference between a “goal” and a “resolution.” I actually found Diana’s breakdown of the two to be quite helpful.
To be honest, I’ve never been one to make “New Year’s Resolutions.” For some reason, they always scared me. Whether it was a fear of failure, or just a mere case of laziness, I don’t think I’ve ever really made one.
But by calling them “goals” I guess I feel like I’m more willing and ready to take them on!
There’s a first time for everything, right? SO, here they are:
Fitness
- Run my first 10K – I ran my one and only 5K a year and a half ago, but never attempted (nor desired to attempt) anything farther. Now I just have to find a running buddy…
- Run the Boilermaker – I’m REALLY excited about this one! The Boilermaker is a 15K race in Utica, NY that takes place in July. I just signed up for it yesterday(!!!) so there’s no turning back now! I’ll be running it with my friend, Eileen, and hopefully Jen too! Anyone else?!?!?
- Commit to Yoga – Not that I want to do it daily, but I really want to make it more of my weekly workout routine. I always feel so great when I do it…I just need to commit!
Life
- Improve my time management skills
– Yeah, definitely need to work on these. No matter how hard I try, I feel like I’m always rushing. 
- Get our finances organized
– Jay and I have been married over a year now and we still have a lot of progress to make in this area.
- Be more spontaneous! – For some reason, I’ve allowed myself to become a creature of habit. It’s time to break out of the box and have some fun!!
- Read more books – There are so many books that I really want to read, yet I feel like I never make the time for myself to read them. This will go along with my time management goal.
- Visit 2 new states – Gotta start making progress on that Adventure Map!
Blog
- Continue to keep you all coming back…and keep spreading the word! – Knowing that at the beginning of 2010 I didn’t even have a blog just boggles my mind, since I can’t imagine NOT having it! Blogging has become one of my favorite hobbies, and I can only hope that my passion for writing and sharing my stories with you all will continue to show.
- Invest in a DSLR camera – I’ve had my eye on one of these bad boys for a while now and have been trying to save up. I’d really like to improve my photography, not only with the food pics I snap, but in all aspects of life.
I’m sure that as 2011 continues on, I will come up with more to add to my list. However, creating a list that’s too big is also a little scary to me, so for now, I’m happy with what I’m striving for!
Question for the Day:
What do you think – “Resolutions” or “Goals”? Do you have any for 2011??
Def goals for me. I don’t do “resolutions,” but I like to tackle goals year-round.
I like goals. They are more specific so you know what you need to do to accomplish them and when you have accomplished them.
One of my food related goals is to try something new, either a new food or cooking technique, at least twice a month.
One of my goals is to run the Warrior Dash – and I’ve already registered (and have gotten a friend to) so there’s no turning back on this one :) Good luck on the Boilermaker! That sounds intense!
i love being more spontaneous! i need to do that too!..
It’s always so crazy for me to think I didn’t have a blog a year ago either. It has certainly become a big part of me and I love it. I can tell your passion for it. :)
I skipped it all this year, and started my 101 in 1001 list instead! That’s 2.75 years worth of goals right there ;)
I make goals too instead of resolutions. And don’t worry, you’re not late, I’m posting mine this week sometime. :)
Yay Boilermaker! I’m going to do it too. I should sign up now before I chicken out.
I’ll be your running buddy! And I’m gonna find some races we can run together! yay!
According to Jen, I will also be running the Boilermaker! (jk – i am really excited to run it!) Maybe we can all road trip together!?
Also – i have an exciting february party planned that you should be getting an invite to, soo. It has to do with reading – so get excited!! I’m hosting a book borrow swap! It’s something I did with a great group of friends in Texas, and I think it’s something we will all really enjoy! Everyone brings a few books they’ve read and LOVED, and then we go around the room and “pitch” the book, why we liked it, and why we think others will like it. Then we take turns (white elephant gift exchange style) choosing which books to borrow for the next six months. It’s like an updated version of a book club and it’s my favorite way to learn about new books, lend some of my favorites out, and read something new!
It’s better than a typical “let’s all read the same book” book club – bc there is no pressure to read a certain number of pages a week, or finish a book by a short deadline, or answer any sort of essay-type questions – but you still have a friend (or two or three) who have read the same book, and who you can chat to about it, and ask questions and experience the story/POV together.
GET EXCITED. (in other words – i’m “making” you come!)
Ok…I’M EXCITED!!! :)
I too am more goal oriented than resolution oriented. For some reason, goals seem tangible and actionable, while resolutions are this nebulous thing that you just ‘arrive’ at. Make sense?
One of my goals…get preggers ;)
Your goals look good!
I skipped the New Years resolutions, since my birthday is right after New Years. And instead I’m doing a 30 before 30 this year. It’s a lot of specific goals/things I want to try. I think after that I’m going to do a 101 in 1001.
These are awesome goals! I agree with you about being more of a “goal” person than a “resolution” person. I especially liked your goal of trying to be more spontaneous. I have always preferred to have things planned, which makes me a little more up-tight and has resulted in minor “freak-outs” when things didn’t go the way I planned. However, releasing this habit has made me feel less stressed as well as more open to fun, spontaneous adventures!
I have the Boilermaker on my list if my PT okays it.
And I’m totally with you on the finances thing. We’ve been married 2.5 years and are still figuring it out so that it works with our constantly changing lives.
Goals are so much better because I can work on them year round and even carry them from year to year. That cartoon says all I think about New Years Resolutions :-)
Yay!!
i’ve got a 11 in 2011 goal list. i had one last year and failed miserably. i’m determined to do a better job this year!
I have one goal this year and its to run my first 10k event, it is on the 9th of October.
Good luck with your runs and goals.
Goals for me…i’ve always been someone who has written a goal list and stuck it up at my desk, on my fridge, or in my bedside table (somewhere that I’ll see it everyday).Reading and re-reading helps. Believe it and you’ll achieve it. Your goals look great, well balanced too!
Hey girl! I gave you the stylish blogger award! Go check it out! http://www.the-new-healthy.com/2011/01/its-stylish-to-be-blogger.html
I’ll see you (and the other 12,998 runners) at the Boilermaker! I can’t wait; it’s my favorite race of the year.
Awesome!!