Last year, reader Tearitup asked what your 2012 goals were figuring that most people don’t do very well with resolutions but would probably do much better meeting their “goals” instead. After looking back over the list this year, I have to admit that I did much better than I usually do, but still didn’t make everything I wished I had.
Last year’s list for me was: more pleasure reading; smaller portions, more salad, less beer, and healthier meals; and have more date nights with The Wife. Well, I didn’t always make the more specific goal of reading one book a month for pleasure during school and two while not, but I did read quite a few books in 2012 nonetheless. While I drank less beer (I haven’t had many at all since May (I can count them on one hand), I can’t say I did very well with smaller portions, more salad, or healthier meals. Finally, The Wife and I (thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Sank as well as our wonderful regular babysitter) did get out to more date nights! I consider those wins compared to my usual list failures so I am doing it again this year:
- 1. Take better care of myself.
Eat less and workout more. This year was extremely busy with a new job and acceleration of my graduate program. With graduation in mid-March and only one course during that time, I have no excuses.
2. Hug my kids more and be a better dad.
Recent national events have made me realize I need to hug my kids even more than I already do. I also need to be less testy with them (more The Rooster than The Koala but she’s getting old enough to drive me crazy soon enough).
3. Better prioritize my time and how I spend it.
Less time spent on work, school, and Lazy Lightning and more time on The Wife, The Rooster, and The Koala. This has been a long-running argument between The Wife and I, especially after 2010. I thought I had done a much better job managing my time but she disagrees. In 2013 I promise to strike a better balance and make my family (i.e. The Wife) happy.
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A bunch of readers responded to last year’s post with some really interesting goals including “being nicer to people”, “bike 2000 miles”, and “get a blog up and running.” I really wonder how many of those reader faired in meeting their goals for 2012 and what they plan to do for 2013. So go ahead and comment on below as I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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January 2nd, 2013 at 8:11 am
The problem with resolutions is that most people make them too general… Like lose weight, be a better person, etc. That’s why only 8% of people meet those resolutions by year’s end. In order to do this, it’s necessary for it to be measurable and to have a plan of action in place.
I no longer make New Year’s resolutions, but I’ve chosen to put the little things that make me happy back into my life.
Happy 2013!
Cheers~
January 2nd, 2013 at 8:44 am
I failed, failed, failed on any goals that I had last year. The one goal I should have had was to be happier because I met that goal. While the first half of 2012 was a bit rough, the second half have been wonderful.
So, I think I’ll go with the same goals I had last year, but without numbers. Ride my bike more and weigh less.
January 2nd, 2013 at 8:54 am
i told my kids at Christmas that we don’t tell them we love them enough and make no mistake we love them very much and nothing makes us happier than to see them happy. there’s folks out there that would give anything to tell their children they love them one more time.
our goal will be to tell our kids we love them more often.
bb+the mrs
January 2nd, 2013 at 8:54 am
I couldn’t remember if I had even put anything down in the 2012 version of this (I did). Interestingly, I managed to keep most of what I put, although not with any great success:
- I didn’t drop the 25-30 pounds by mid-summer. I’ll own the “excuses” and say part of it was just not working hard enough to get it done. That said, it wasn’t entirely lack of will — this was the first year my oldest kid was in a traveling sport, and I didn’t adequately plan for the impact that would have on our family schedule (nightmare). Between that, a job change, and a couple other factors, I didn’t make it work.
All in all, I’m about 5-7 pounds under my weight from this time last year. My wife and I have been talking about how to better handle the summer schedule (now that 2 will be in traveling baseball and the 3rd is in sports now). We have a good plan and my motivation has been good….I see myself making the rest of the 20-25ish pound loss by July or August. So….there’s one goal I’ll carry forward.
- My wife and I killed the budget goal. Our family budgeting is a well-oiled machine and far beyond even my most optimistic projections. My goal for 2013 is to keep things as they are running now.
- We indeed got a new roof on the house. I think it happened in June though. May wasn’t any kind of magic goal. My goal for this year is to simply enjoy my lovely new roof as I drive in and out of my driveway.
- I quickly saved the money for a wide-angle lens. I don’t remember how, but I assembled the money by mid-January. I don’t have any goals for camera gear except just using it more.
- I failed miserably at learning to use Photoshop. I’ll keep this as a goal for 2013, but I have zero confidence that I’ll do any better at it this year.
- I’m not sure I succeeded at getting my long-planned blog “up and running”. It’s “up” — there’s a URL, a structure and content. It looks neat. But it sure ain’t “running”. After the initial few flurries of getting it out there, I’ve virtually ignored it. I’ll leave it as a goal for 2013 — move it forward and maybe even tell people it exists. For now, it’s just quietly and anonymously out there.
So there. A bunch of recycled goals.
Good luck on yours everyone.
January 2nd, 2013 at 9:03 am
I disagree. Your photoshop of Trav Tess and the hookers at The Rack Shack are going to get you dinner with Bill that you’ll probably have to pay for.
January 2nd, 2013 at 9:17 am
I know it was CLEARLY a professionally crafted effort, but that was done with Powerpoint.
January 2nd, 2013 at 9:38 am
I made progress on most of my 2012 goals. I did drink better whiskey, in moderation. I don’t think I’m swearing any less, but I am swearing more colorfully and with more gusto, if that counts for any damn thing. I increased my study of the Cherokee language and tried to use it more in my daily life; also have a better grasp on the syllabary so I can write to friends in Oklahoma more quickly and efficiently. I slowed down and tried to appreciate the beauty around me. It’s an ongoing process. I started my novel, but became sidetracked by a book contract that fell in my lap for a different book. That one is due in March, so that went to the top of the pile. I didn’t get to play lacrosse or run the 5k at our tribal holiday because of an injury, but I was able to play in a lacrosse league during the summer (which is where I sustained my injury). All in all, I’d give myself a C or C+ for the year. Better than the D or F I get most years. I think it helps to write the resolutions down.
For 2013, I’d like to finish both books. I aim to find time to write most days. I will continue my study of the Cherokee language. And this year, I will play in our traditional stickball game in September in honor of my late grandmother’s 90th birthday. Simple goals, but certainly doable.
January 2nd, 2013 at 10:27 am
I don’t recall making any resolutions last year, so I will go ahead and say I failed to act on those.
This year a few of things come to mind:
1) Not getting mad or frustrated over little things.
2) Enjoying my family (including the new addition coming in 4 months).
3) Being thankful for everything that I have in life, including the commute that will stink more from a job change.
Oh, and to enjoy finely crafted beer more often than I do now.
January 2nd, 2013 at 10:28 am
Last year goals were to really tighten up the budget, get my car racing again, and take more walks with my wife.
Achieved were, tighter budget, but still not tight enough as evidenced by my wife’s complete rebellion against the budget this Christmas season and the hole I now find myself in.
Sold the race car. (no time for it anymore)
2 walks with my wife. Summer came and we both said we would do this every night. Did it two nights in a row and then life got in the way again. Turns out, helping our Son by watching our grandchild 6-8 hours a day kinda uses up our spare time.
For 2013, I need to continue to focus on my relationship with my wife, implement better budgeting processes, and new this year is beginning an effort to position myself so that I can look at maybe changing jobs in the next 3-5 years.
Oh yeah, and loose weight. I’ve done pretty well in that my weight currently does not fluctuate, yet i’m still a good 60lbs over what I’m satisfied with and 80lbs over what the government is satisfied with. So that means exercise and start focusing on portion control.
January 2nd, 2013 at 2:00 pm
I can’t even think about 2013 goals until I make some progress on my 2007 goals.
January 2nd, 2013 at 2:31 pm
I think we should always have goals regardless of the date. Unfortunately for me, if I were to list two unwritten goals from 2012, they would have been related to getting into and staying in shape along with drinking better beer and whiskey of the Scotch and Bourbon variety.
As you might guess, they sort of conflict.
That said, 2012 would have been the year in which I took some great care of my temple. Because I do measure myself regarding strength training, I have increased my strength overall by over 30%, and on many exercises 50%.
With that, my normal diet of high protein and low carbs has allowed me to keep Surly and Fulton in the fridge and directed at my belly more than if I didn’t do that.
I figured out recently that I am pretty sure I have gotten pretty ripped underneath the belly layer of beer. Decided the other day to try to figure out if that is true. Going to step up on the exercise and cut down (but not eliminate) the beer intake and get my belly nice and flat.
At that point I guess I will decide if the sacrifice is worth the six pack. I doubt it will be.
January 2nd, 2013 at 2:39 pm
Are you referring to the six pack of the alcoholic variety?
January 2nd, 2013 at 2:56 pm
Nils,
Good question. But since Surly comes in 4-packs and I buy my Fulton in growlers, I would be referring to my abdominal muscles.
lefty
January 2nd, 2013 at 4:05 pm
Well, I was shocked to see that I did not even post on this thread last year.
So, I guess that makes the look back portion of my review easy enough. 2012 was a good year. I lost about 80 lbs, and have kept 70 of them off for several months. I feel healthier now, and if it were not for a two month bout with the flu, cold, and plague, combined with some very persistent lower back pain, I think I would have managed to keep the other 10 off through the holidays.
I tell my son that I love him a lot, to the point that he often says “Dad, I knew you were going to say that.” Which makes me happy. I resolved to continue to tell him this way too often, and to start telling me wife the same thing more often.
I resolve to get out and do more. More hiking, more walking, more trying new things.
And, following up on last year, and the positive changes I feel it has made in my life, I resolve to loose another 50 lbs.
Best wishes to each and every one of you for the new year.
January 2nd, 2013 at 4:42 pm
lefty, Bill told me your #1 resolution was to become a Rack Girl. Was he just f-ing with me?
January 2nd, 2013 at 6:02 pm
I am waiting to hear back from the background check. I checked Female on the box since I am pretty sure they can’t tell the difference between an ugly middle aged man and the tanning bed aged 23 year olds that are currently acting as Rack Girls.
January 2nd, 2013 at 6:59 pm
I’m trying to be more positive toward others in 2013 and to reduce my accumulated debt by 30% this year. I have no idea how I’ll do that, but I’m gonna try.
January 3rd, 2013 at 9:28 am
I like 17 Aliecat’s goals. I’ll do that too.
January 3rd, 2013 at 10:06 am
I heard 17 Aliecat is much nicer than 14 Aliecat.
January 3rd, 2013 at 10:33 am
Chad,
Congrats on your weight loss, that’s an incredible accomplishment!
January 3rd, 2013 at 10:43 am
Wow…I glossed over that….ditto. That’s great. Keep up the good work!
January 3rd, 2013 at 12:42 pm
Chad,
That is awesome, congratulations on the self improvement, and I hope you keep it up!
I think you should make it a goal to post more than you did in 2012.
lefty
January 3rd, 2013 at 12:52 pm
As I ate less, and lost weight, I found myself doing more, which caused me to post less. Sort of convoluted eh?
I began the year at 340.4 lbs, and ended the year at 270 lbs, with a low weight of 260.6 (which I rounded to an even 80lbs in my mind). So, while it is a lot of weight, I had alot to loose, and continue to have plenty of extra pounds that I can spare.
I enjoy exercise, and physical activity in general, but I LOVE to eat, so each day is a challenge. But, thank you all for the kind words, they are appreciated.
January 4th, 2013 at 10:57 am
I’m not a big resolution guy but my resolution this year is to STAY OUT OF THE ‘EFFIN HOSPITAL!
I’ve been admitted 4 times in 2010, 11, and 12. Two were for blood clots, the other two were due a bowel perf caused by Diverticulitis.
So my lifestyle needs to drastically change. When I was discharged from Abbott-Northwestern in mid-July (after a lovely 21 day stay, 6 of which were spent in a medically induced coma on a ventilator) I was 50 pounds lighter then when I went in. So some “good” came out of that nightmare, but unfortunately I’ve gained about 20 of that back, so my other resolution is a boring but important one: Work out more. I will be hitting my Snap Fitness Center for which I do have a membership to, but don’t use much (wife uses it more than I do by a long shot) eating more healthy foods and lots of fiber !
I tell you this because I also want to drive home the importance of getting a colonoscopy as soon as you turn 50. Had I not made the moronic choice to blow it off like a lot of guys do, It’s most likely that this (the bowel perf) would not have happened to me.
Instead, I have major surgery to look forward to in about a year or so to repair my bowel (and because I’m on a blood thinner due to the unfound cause of my blood clots, surgery is a lot more risky) and then I will be laid up for another 6 weeks while I recover, during which time I will need to redirect my plumbing to a bag for possibly 2 months while my intestines heal before I can crap like normal again.
Sound fun? If you are turning 50 this year add another resolution to your own list to SCHEDULE YOUR COLONOSCOPY THE DAY YOU TURN 50! GET IT DONE! I didn’t, and I when I attempted to have it done at Mayo this fall, they could not do it due to the scar tissue from the surgery that prevented the “scope” from going past a certain point (as time goes on the scar tissue will go away, so I get to go through bowel prep again YAY!).
(This post was moved from the 2012 thread where I accidentally posted it first)
BTW the mobile version of LL does not let you post comments.The error message is: “Submit cannot be used as an element” or something like that.
January 4th, 2013 at 1:17 pm
“I heard 17 Aliecat is much nicer than 14 Aliecat.”
Not as nice as 25 Aliecat.
January 4th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
Nurd52 – Ugh, I went through something similar (not with the perf, but had chronic obstructions) and bowel/intestinal issues are NOT. FUN. I wish you good health in the new year.
January 4th, 2013 at 9:59 pm
Nurd52 – Hope things go well for you. Me? Ulcerative colitis for 18 years. Doctors failed to help and in fact harmed. Cured for these past 5 years with diet. Food is the answer to health.
January 5th, 2013 at 11:00 pm
Sandy, what kind of diet do you follow? My 2 surgeries have left me with similar problems. I’ve pinpointed dairy and soy, but still have flares.
January 6th, 2013 at 5:29 pm
I’m sorry to hear of your probems, Aliecat. I eat very little processed food, little to no chain restaurant food, and take LOTS of vitamins. But the one thing that knocked me over the line to health was this: About a cup and a half of water, one peel-on pear, one peel-on apple (no cores/seeds), and a couple of chunks of frozen mango in the blender every morning. It is VERY important to include the peels. Do not be tempted to add anything else – no processed powders or yogurt, etc. Fresh, whole, and delicious.