Today is a good day to talk about goals. (The blog turns 4 today!) Even better, today is a good day to commit to five goals for the upcoming year. That’s what I’m doing today, online, for everyone to see. It should be awesome. One of my best ideas yet! Here goes everything.
One of the activities at Camp Mighty was to review our life lists and select five goals to strike from the list within the first year. Then, we shared those five items within our small group to see if anyone could help us achieve the goals we set out for ourselves. I floundered a bit explaining one of my goals and had one heckler, but overall it went well. Leslie of Lights and Letters was in my group and is someone you want on your team, no matter what you’re doing. Committing to life lists? Leslie. A pick up game of canasta? Leslie. She’s very competitive.
Here are the five goals I committed to this year, starting today.
- Read the Chronicles of Narnia with the boys. So far, we’ve been hit and miss. When we do it, it’s great. There are several reasons I put this on my list of goals for the year, but my primary goal is to prioritize and organize our family activities so that reading a chapter or two every night isn’t an obligation or, more often than not, an impossibility. A lack of time reflects a lack of balance. The Chronicles of Narnia is part entertainment, part simple living gauge.
- Have nothing in my house that I do not find useful or believe to be beautiful. I can’t go a week without talking about how important this motto has become to me, and how I struggle to make it a reality. In case you just happened upon me today (hello, pleased to meet you!), this post and this post should bring you up to speed.
- Abstain from sugar and flour for 365 days straight. This is for my physical and psychological well being and will happen. I could write an entire week long series of posts on why this is so. I am a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, stranger, writer, everything when I abstain from sugar and flour. This is nonnegotiable for me.
- Use my camera’s manual settings correctly. The pictures I want to take are beyond my skill set. I have an entry level DSLR (Nikon D60) that I do not know how to use to its capabilities. I’m looking at Nicole Hill Gerault’s class. I own the Photo 101 textbook, but haven’t cracked the cover. I have a voucher to take a class at the shop where I bought my camera, so I may do that, too.
- Write and publish a book. This is the one goal I debated committing to, the one goal I wasn’t sure about. Naturally, it’s the one that brought out the heckler. First, one year isn’t enough time to write and publish a book through traditional avenues, which is what I want. Second, I’m not sure what I want to write. If you asked me at the beginning of summer, I would have said fiction. By the end of summer, I was back to essays. These issues with time and content almost kept me from putting it on paper. In the end, I decided to put it out there, assuming I would figure it out eventually. What I am really saying with this goal is that I want to write for a living before the year is out. How that comes about remains to be seen.
I will be working on these five goals this year, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the items on my life list will go unchecked. I’ve already been working on a few, and a few are so simple I could tackle them next week if I was so inclined. I can also add to the list. Like, maybe I should take inspiration from ol’ man Buddy and create a line item that says organize pillows just-so, pull up blanket, and curl up under a sunny window for a six hour nap…everyday.
I came across your blog while you were doing the 31 days of William Morris, and have been reading it ever since, I love it. I’ve always loved that quote, and am slowly putting it into motion in my life. I say slowly as I have a new baby and it’s hard for me to let things go. As I keep telling my husband, if I keep letting small things go, I’ll work up to letting the bigger things go. Anyway, one of my goals for next year is to turn downstairs, which currently holds most of my ‘stuff’ into a usable space. That quote will be coming into play with everything as I do that.
Good luck with your goals :)
Thank you, Holly. I love your name. :)
I’m no photographer, but I can vouch for NHG’s Photo 101 class – it taught me a lot about my camera, and I am much better than I was. And I just want to say I think it’s crappy that someone would heckle you for sharing any life goal, much less a major one like write & publish a book. I think it’s admirable, and wish you all the best. I know I would absolutely buy & read anything you publish (and this is from someone who purchases approximately 1 book a year).
Oh, great! I know Tristan loves Nicole’s classes, too. Thank you. :)
Ok I love your 5 goals you have for the year, straightforward but not simple. But I have to agree that Buddy has figured out his goals too – and I like them! Too bad most of us cannot live like him :)
Buddy has it made! :)
I also came across your blog during the 31 days and have been reading ever since (in fact, your blog my my blog’s sidebar of favorite spots to visit – I know, your life is now complete). At any rate, I totally hear the book thing as it has been something that has been on my list forever and I keep finding excuses. I’m turning 30 in 11 days and I created a list of 10 things I want to accomplish in my 30s – writing a book is one of them. I have no idea what I want to write about, but I know that it’s something I want to stop talking about and start acting on. Have you considered writing a book based on your 31 day topic of having nothing in your house? It seemed to be a big hit on the blog (and totally hit home for me)…just a thought. :-) Best of luck!
Carrie–I turned 39 TODAY. I feel like my time for excuses has run out. Gulp!
And, yes, the 31 days series is exactly what I am considering writing about. You’re psychic today!
Happy (belated) Birthday!! :-)
If you write a 31 book, I’ll edit it for free…and buy a copy! ;-) Seriously though, even bigger than my dream to write a book is my dream to be a book editor. My college degree says I can do it, but I’m working in a pharmacy because it pays the bills and they hired me. To edit for a living would make me do the {happy dance}.
4 YEARS??? You were just debating different names for this venture on the Switchboards, right?
Much congratulations for a thoughtful, funny and honest read. I think you deserve a nap under a sunny window. I Hope Nico is making a turn for the best!
Yes, we were. I couldn’t do it in the end. Some people think that’s a mistake. We’ll see!
I also came across your blog during the 31 days of William Morris and I loved it so much I stayed! I think it’s a wonderful, beautifully simple idea and I’ve been trying to incorporate it into my life. These are great goals and I can hardly wait to see what you do with them.
Thank you so much, Ris!
First of all, Happy Birthday Pancakes & French Fries . . . we’re so much better since you came into our lives.
And Hecklers–they’re just cheerleaders in disguise. It is possible to write a book and at least have it picked up for publication . . . you’ll show ’em!
Also, why choose between fiction and essays? C.S. Lewis certainly didn’t . . .
Oh, Amy. Good point on C.S. Lewis. This is why I blog. I need you guys more than you need me…
These are incredible goals. Abstaining from flour and sugar for 365 days is mindblowing to me. But I think I really should, as it’s just so unhealthy to consume so much carbs that are not complex? I now feel so inspired to make some changes too, Jules! By the way, happy birthday to the blog!
I abstained for 6 months, and it was the best 6 months ever. Who knows what a year will bring!
I am currently reading “Wheat Belly” by William Davis, MD. It’s a very interesting read and Dr. Davis believes that wheat (including whole grains) is literally making us sick and overweight. He also has a Wheat Belly blog.
You are an excellent writer. The laundry recycling pile post includes one of my favorite quotes ever. (good girl after prom.). I love this goal because I will want to read your book!
That’s one of my favorite posts, too.
First off, congrats on this blogging milestone. You were one of the first bloggers I ever discovered, and I’ve been a happily loyal reader ever since. Thanks for making this a bright spot on the internet. :)
I love your thoughts on reading to your boys. Reading aloud is something my husband and I do, too — just with each other, no children yet! — though not often enough, and I’m thinking you’re right: Reading together is part fun/entertainment, but it’s also a signal that all is right with the world, that there is time to pursue the simple. What a wonderfully simple and accurate way to determine if maybe there’s a little too much on the family plate.
(P.S. I thought of you this week while I was flipping through the latest copy of “Country Living” magazine. The William Morris quote is displayed prominently in one of the stories, and I couldn’t help but think about how you’ve helped us all realize what a practical and doable goal that is.)
Gasp! I will have to check Country Living out!
There’s nothing like setting excellent goals for the coming year on your birthday. Good luck with everything you’ve set for the year ahead. As another November 30th birthday baby once said, “The moment we see our first darling brain-child arrayed in black type is never to be forgotten.” LM Montgomery, had it right, there’s nothing like writing and getting to see all those words neatly compiled, a beautiful reflection of a great accomplishment. Good luck!
Thanks for the birthday wishes. You’re an observant one. I didn’t say anything about it in the post, just really quick in the comments. :)
Oh, I just remembered from last year reading your birthday post…as we share this date in common so it is relatively easy (it is one date that I hope to never forget)…
Happy Bloggin’ Birthday! Your goals are ambitious and exciting, and I look forward to seeing them played out here over the next year. (A heckler? Boo, hiss.)
I love your list of goals, especially #2 and#3. I found your blog during the 31 days and loved checking in on your posts! I hope to someday have a clutter free home and break my sugar habit.
happy birthday Jules! And happy blog birthday, too. I can’t get over the fact that someone heckled you – that’s ridiculous. Like many other people said, I found your blog during your William Morris project, and have made it a part of my frequent reading. I think you’d be a natural to write a book (fiction or essays, although I think a book of your essays would be an amazing read). Best of luck with all your goals! I’m inspired to start my own (probably much less ambitious) list. Or a blog..or both :)
yes, yes!!! write a book. I will buy it for sure!
Happy Birthday to you and your blog!!! I am super happy that I found you in the comment section at D16 last year. Without your blog my reader would have a huge gaping hole, I know it. I am looking forward to reading, well pretty much anything that you want to write about.
Really? Is that where we met? So cool! :)
Happy Blog Birthday, and Happy Birthday to you! I would LOVE to read a book by you!
2nd time commenting today…. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! The 30’s are the new 20’s, so here’s to 29!
I think writing down your goals is an excellent step toward achieving them…and I just want you to know – whatever you write, I’ll be first in line to buy it. You have a gift with words and I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
I have to say, it changes when you write a goal down. Could be law of attraction, could be your firm commitment…I don’t know what it is, but it works! :)
Happy Birthday! :-)
I would love to read a week’s worth of posts on your decision to forego sugar and wheat. I am contemplating the same, but haven’t screwed up the willpower. (I really really really love cookies.)
Sure! I’ll do at least one post on it. I just need to screw up the nerve to do it!
It seems to me you already do write for a living, maybe you just don’t get paid enough! A book is a worthy and valid goal, but you are also a talented Blog writer! Don’t downplay that…
You know, I was just emailing today with someone I really respect (a professional blogger) and her advice to me was to put all my energy into my blog. She seems to think that everything will come from that. I liked that advice, since I really do LOVE blogging.
I JUST saw this! You are so funny. I cannot play canasta though. Sorry. However, Monopoly I will kick your butt in. Way to go putting this out there!! I say the write a book goal is totally doable, just make it the goal to write a PITCH (like a sample chapter and outline) and try to get a publishing deal. I think you could manage that. Once you get the deal, then you can finish writing the book. I helped my husband design a pitch for his book, and he has some tips about getting it out there. (Don’t go through the “proper” channels, find and email specific people individually.) Email me if you want, I will help you with the book pitch and the camera stuff. I still have to send out my Photo 101 thing. You are on the list! You rock Jules. So glad I met you. xo
First happy birthday and happy blog birthday! :-) I think it was an excellent suggestion that someone made to you that you should put all your energy into blogging. I’ve been reading you for probably 3+ years and I have to say that not only are you on my must-read list, but you also represent a very, very small group of bloggers who I read every day (no matter what the topic) because your writing is just SO. GOOD. So of course, I was so excited to see your book publishing goals! And hecklers?! Really, at that type of event?! They’re just jealous! It would be more likely that I would heckle you (not really, of course) for your goal of abstaining from flour and sugar for 365 days straight! Are you mad! I don’t think I could do anything for that many days in a row (especially by giving up all the foods I enjoy and stress eat, ha)! So good luck with all your goals and we’ll keep reading! :-)
Just wait–if I can abstain, my writing will get better. I’m telling you, that stuff is poison to me!
Yes, my new goal is blogging 120%. We’ll see what happens. Once I made the decision to do it, I got a surprise email to guest blog on a big blog, so maybe that was God’s way of saying, “FINALLY! The girl listens…”
I also found your blog through the 31 Days of William Morris, and have been very much enjoying reading your new things and combing through the archives. Happy belated birthday to yourself and your blog! Inspired by you, I’ve made a list of thirty things to do before I turn thirty next year . . . though my real goal is to move to living by my writing, I didn’t put “Publish a book” on that list, despite really wanting to! I agree that essays on living according to William Morris would be something I would buy. I’d try your fiction as well for sure — anyone who loves C.S. Lewis is for me! One thing I find is that the shift in focus from blogging to essays is much less difficult than from fiction to blogging, so as you focus on blogging more I should think the longer-form of narrative non-fiction would emerge naturally from that.
Happy B- Day to you and again to your beautiful blog! I am smiling at your 5 goals! I have yet to post mine publicly or on our CM Facebook page, but we seem share a few.
#5 – I too want to write a book, but I feel a children’s book (or 2 or 3) in me. I promise to get that started and in the works over the coming year! We can compare notes on the process if you want. And of course I’m going to pick Chris’ brain (Leslie’s husband) on the round about best way to pitch one. I’ll share my notes with you.
#2 – On my Life List – we spoke about this together briefly at Camp – I am in the process of ridding my life of unnecessary items…and it feels SO good! After talking with you, it gave me even more fire behind the purging!
#4 – On my Life List too.
Now, what I really want to talk about is #3. I have a few questions that maybe we can take offline? I am struggling with my health/diet habits and I think that sugar and flour are the culprits. It’s strange that I was feeling this way and then read this post the other day. It got me thinking about things and it now makes me wonder if there is a link for me also between those food items.
So, if you have the time (I know we are all so busy) I would love chat about it.
OK, again, love what you do here and I too am going full charge into my blog. Funny, I have been so on the fence with it and something tells me to dive in. And I have only been doing this for a year this past Saturday! YIKES.
xo
Jill