I keep my resolutions simple. I had three for 2007: (1) feel comfortable in my skin (even when trying new things), (2) become more articulate, and (3) have fun now. Mostly (1) is coming along fine, for (2) I started two blogs last April and have been posting once a week on each one. And I’m doing fine on (3). That was to make sure I didn’t forget why I was doing things.

My list is even shorter for 2008…it has only one item: Start having the sense that God gave the goose. I’m looking forward to it. It was fun coming up with that image. And my technique for following through is simply to really want everything on the list, have an image of what each item would look or feel like, and regularly remind myself of the list.

Thanks for asking. :)

Jean - Love those. Jenny at Run Jen Run picks a theme for each year, which I also love, like “Love” (or was it “More Love”). Anyway, if this year has a theme, it’s gonna be “More Fun.” Super-simple. Hold up anything you’re thinking of doing and see if it matches.

Curtis - Never underestimate (or underappreciate) the power of BFI. It’s gotten me through many a tough slog. In fact, I think BFI goes into the lexicon. You get credit, of course.

2007 went off the rails. I’m not even sure I know where the rails are anymore, even if I wanted to get back on that track. Why? I wanted too much. I wanted everything and by those standards, I got nothing. Accomplished nothing.

I only have one resolution for 2008. Meditate in the morning – If I can. Sit down, shut up and be grateful I can breathe.

If I expect less, perhaps I’ll realize how much I have.

What’s “fun” got to do with it?

I take on seemingly dreary projects, grind
away at them, and drop off my paychecks at the
dreary bank.

Guess I’m stuck in my stolid, German-Virgo mindset.

I also guess I was sick at home when they had the
class on how to have fun.

:)

I hate working and avoid it whenever possible. Sex on the other hand …

“Resolution”? What’s a “resolution”?

Maybe you’ve heard of Take Back the Night, it’s an anti-rape program to make the world safe for women. I call this withdrawal take back the girl. I think it’s a rebooting thing, and if it doesn’t happen all that often, why mess with a good machine?

Funny…I was just trying to find Jenny’s theme post from last year, but you’re already familiar with it. I liked the idea and picked “Engage” as my 2007 theme.

Wouldn’t say I was wildly successful with it, but I did keep it in mind and did let it sway me to say yes more often than in 2006. It should probably be my theme for 2008 too, but I’ll probably mix it up and look for a theme that encourages/inspires some ambition.

claire - I love the theme idea, but I do have so much going on already with goals, it’s about all I can handle. But if I had to pick one–like, say, metaphorical (or literal) gun to my head–I’m going with “MORE MUSIC.” I like “Engage,” though.

Dani - Not everyone goes into the new year with formal goals, which is totally cool. I mean, how many people follow through with them, anyway?

I do think most of us who grow up with the Gregorian calendar approach January 1 as a kind of start or reboot date, with…expectations? Anticipation? Some unusual (for us) openness to change and growth?

The Law of Attraction folks would say that you did create that more work, or better work phenomenon. Woo-woo aside, we are what we direct our thoughts to, much as our physical plant will reverberate in tune with the fuel we give it. Or, as the geeks say, Garbage in, Garbage out.

That said, there are all kinds of other forces working, as well, which result in hirings, firings, and other things that affect your plan.

I think it’s all pretty neat, to cop a seventh-grade concept.