How I Sucked In 2012. And Goals.

1.02.2013

This time of year, everyone's all, "Here are all the things I'm going to do to improve myself next year!" and "Here are all the things I accomplished this year!" 

That's great and everything, but if I'm being honest, there were a few ways I fell short in 2012. I believe it's important to note these just so I don't start getting a big head about how awesome I am. (It's easy to do, seeing as how I am very awesome.) Here are just a few things that come to mind:

---In May I started an alphabet scavenger hunt. It began as a linkup, and I had dreams of the hundreds of people who would participate. I had a good following at first. (And by "good following" I mean 2.) But then it petered out, as most things do, and I was all alone. I lost motivation to do it every week because I wasn't sure how many people cared. It soon turned into a once-every-few-weeks kind of thing. Then, before I knew it, I hadn't looked for a letter in months. I left off at R a few months back, and my continuation is still yet to be determined.

---At the beginning of the year, I decided to do a writing series called "polishing your prose." The idea was to post one article on writing every month. This was back when I was employed as a full-time editor and spent every day reading and editing books. Then the terrible summer of 2012 happened (professionally speaking), and I quit my job. It became harder to write the posts after that, although really my employment should have had no positive or negative impact. I kept it up faithfully until November. I had every intention of making it up in December, but somehow I skipped that too. I'm pretty bummed out that I crapped out right at the end.

---In February I tried running every day for a week. I ran for 6 days straight. So there's that.

---I did hit my goal of reading 30 books, but it's important to note that as soon as I hit the big 3-0, I didn't pick up another book for 2 and a half months. I really could have blown my goal out of the water. My younger, overachieving self would be so ashamed. 

---I've made a couple of goals concerning prayer, devotions, and Bible reading, all of which have lasted approximately three days. Not good.

On the surface, this has the potential of being a depressing post. Who wants to talk about failure at the start of a brand-new year? But you shouldn't feel sad for me. What I've learned is that it's okay to fail. In fact, you need to fail a time or two. People who accomplish every goal they ever set are not setting high enough goals, in my opinion. That is what I am going to focus on in 2013: setting goals but also not being afraid to fail. I am competitive to the max, and sometimes I don't even like to start something because I am afraid I won't finish. This is not the way I want to live. 


I tried thinking of resolutions for 2013, but only one solid goal came to mind: run 500 miles. Other than that, I am going to attempt to get serious about reading at least one chapter of the Bible every night and cleaning my apartment once a week

If I've learned nothing else this past year, it's to be present. Put down your phone, stop whining, and just look around. It might not be the best day of your life, but it's a blessing nonetheless. It's not about whether or not I failed but whether or not I tried in the first place. That's what I'm going to do my best to focus on in 2013.
Ali W. said...

I love that you said that people who achieve every goal are not setting high enough goals. So true. I completely agree with you. I didn't think this was a depressing post at all. There are so many things I have failed at over and over and OVER and am still continuing to work on. I think that's a huge part of life- trying and progressing- but no one is perfect! I love this post. I love your 2013 focus too. It's awesome. I am going to do the same! :)

Ali W. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Allison said...

Goals are just that...things we want to TRY to accomplish. I love your outlook because these are all things you can still work on! And I liked your photo scavenger hunt idea!

Katie Did What said...

hahaha. "I ran for 6 days straight. So there's that." I really like you focus for the new year. It's an important one, and way too easy to not achieve with all of the dang social media jibber jabber that's constantly there. But being present is way way way more important than a silly tweet. So, I'm right there with you!

xo

Unknown said...

Thanks! What a good reminder to be present! It is so easy to get caught up in technology and "planning" for the future (which always changes anyhow...)

I will certainly let you know what I end up doing as far as photobooks go. I like Shutterfly books, but iphoto is probably my favorite. The problem is that iphoto books are more expensive. BUT you pay for the ease and convenience because (at least for me) ALL my photos are there and easy to scroll through rather than uploading them somewhere else. So it is easy to find pictures that are the right orientation etc. for whatever layout page you choose. I tend to think the extra money is worth it because I'm doing the work, but my husband tends to think that less expensive is better (and he's probably right about that 95% of the time) so hence the lack of decision so far. He also wanted me to check out a company called "My Publisher" which he has heard good things about. I'll let you know though.

Also, I need to tell you EVERY time I click on your blog it makes me smile. I really like the title Lady Okie. You see all my family is from OK and we used to go out to the farm all the time growing up. I always thought it was SUCH a random state and didn't have much of a taste for farm life. But I've come to appreciate it much more these days. We actually almost moved to Norman a couple years ago , but last minute it didn't end up working out. Anyhow, city girl in the "country" (I know not all of OK is country that is just what it has come to mean to me...) I like it :)

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