In my core conditioning class the other day, someone told me that Jan 13th was the official day most people gave up on their resolutions. Apparently after two weeks, achieving a goal becomes too hard. An article in the Guardian UK reports on a psychologist who says people don’t achieve goals because they don’t make a plan. Wishful thinking or affirmations aren’t enough.

I think that’s true for me. Its too easy to life live the same each day. To do something different, I need to know what I need to do and figure out how I’m going to fit it in my life. One thing I’ve tried is getting new planner. But its not to keep my calendars. Instead its filled with notebook paper and divided into sections for each of my blogs and other projects. One reason I struggle with writing and working on projects is that when I have time to sit work on them, I don’t know what to say or do. But throughout the day I think of great blog ideas or scenes for my book or other project tasks. With this planner, I’m able to jot them down and refer to them later. I’ve also found the recorder feature on phone so I can give myself a voice message. But I’m not sure if I’ll remember to refer to it as easy as checking my planner.

So how am I doing on my goals?  I haven’t been perfect, but I haven’t given up on them either.

Goal 1: Blog more – I haven’t blogged as much as I planned, but I’ve blogged much more than I had been.

Goal 2: Get on national TV – I still haven’t been on national TV, but I did do an interview with an AP reporter (I’m working my way up).

Goal 3: Finish mystery novel – I’ve made real progress there! Its not done, but my goal is to have the completed draft by the end of this month.

Goal 4: 12 30 Day Challenges – My first challenge – don’t go back to be when the kids go to school- has been my biggest challenge. I’ve had at least 2 mornings in which I nearly gave up on that one. While I laid on the couch a little longer than I should have, I’ve been at my desk and working by 7:45 each workday so far.

Goal 5 : Read one classic a month. I’ve already read Push, which isn’t a classic, but surely must be literature. I’ve picked up Jane Eyre, a book full of works by Poe, and the first Poirot mystery by Agatha Christie. I’ll finish one of them by the end of the month.

Miscellaneous – These are the goals set every year and the ones that I usually don’t achieve to any great effect. I haven’t lost weight, but I have made a little more money.  As far as the weight goes, its very hard for me in the winter because I don’t get out much and want comfort food to keep me warm. But I did order a copy of Turbo Jam just so I could get a new workout option that might be fun.