New Years and failed resolutions

What is New Years? Shouldnt it just be called New Year? And its not even possessive by itself, so it should be new year. But all that is put upon you for the new year in forms of resolutions, goals or to-do’s. Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves during this time of the year? Its just another day by all other standards. How does the effectiveness of goal reaching match up to setting them now or at any other time of the year? Shouldnt goals be set when the want is realized? With a time period that you can reasonably achieve the goal in.

Here’s a good list of why resolutions fail.

1. Your resolution is about ‘not doing’ something.
It is said that we create more of what we put our attention on. Resolutions that focus on stopping something put your attention exactly where you don’t want it. Instead, think about what you do want and how you will get it. [See SMART goals below]

2. Your resolutions aren’t written down or captured
Many resolutions are forgotten the next day or the week after. Write your goals down or record them in some way that will make it easier for you to be reminded of them.

3. You’re not using S.M.A.R.T. goals.
S.M.A.R.T. goals are

• Specific,
• Measurable,
• Achievable by you,
• Realistic, and
• Time framed.

For example, rather than thinking about ‘losing weight’ get more specific about what you want to achieve and how you will measure your results: e.g. I want to be able to run for 45 minutes without stopping. Even better, make your goal the behaviour that will create the result you want: e.g. I will go to the gym three times a week for at least 30 minutes each time.
[See Tips for achieving your goals]

4. You’re trying to eat an elephant in one bite.
Often people take on an ‘elephant-sized goal’, stand back, look at it, feel overwhelmed and then don’t even start. Break your goal down into smaller stepping stones. Some people find it helpful to make them the smallest steps you can take – steps so small that you don’t feel any resistance to doing them. Instead of ‘working out for 90 minutes every day at the gym’, it might be ‘go to the gym and use the sauna for a quiet rest’. Let yourself experience success – it’s essential in order to make success a habit.

5. You check on your resolutions once a year.
Some people only think about their goals on New Year’s Eve. If you want to succeed you need a plan with reviews built in to it. Create deadlines for checking in on your progress throughout the year.

6. You don’t really want to succeed.
Lots of people choose ‘me too’ goals that aren’t really important to them and don’t fire them up. Make sure your goal or resolution is ‘right for me’ and not just what someone else is doing. To succeed, it’s helpful to know why your resolution is important to you and what achieving it will give you.

7. You’ve got no accountability – it’s just you and your resolution!
Nothing happens if you don’t do what you resolve to. Most people perform better when they are accountable to someone or they have a consequence for non-performance; e.g. you let someone know your resolution and check in with them each week or you promise yourself tickets to your favourite concert only if you finish your assignments on time.

8. You give up at the first hurdle.
As well as unexpected assistance and lucky breaks, you can expect the odd obstacle and set back along the way to your goal. It helps to think about the likely obstacles and how you’ll deal with them. Then, if they occur it’s easier to stay on track and not be thrown by them.

9. What’s the hidden bonus in failing?
Very often we have a hidden payoff in staying the way we are. If you keep setting a goal or resolution that you then give up on, it’s worth looking at what you gain by staying the way you are now or what you might lose by changing.

10. You don’t value your promises to yourself.
Success is built on keeping your promises to yourself [and to others]. Start with yourself. Make your resolutions, goals or commitments to yourself small enough that you know you can keep them, and begin building your commitment to yourself and your integrity.

Tags: 2008, goals, resolutions

The big dump

I havent seen this much snow in years. With this being my first big snowfall at my own house, I now have to worry about making sure that sidewalks are shoveled and salt is distributed. Ohh the joy of home ownership. It wouldnt be so bad if the snow wasnt so freaking heavy. There’s about 8 inches already on the ground now and they’re expecting about 6 more. I need a snowblower, thats for sure.

Tags: 2007, snow

Holidays + Work = low productivity

I’m at that time of the year where I am totally in Holiday mode. When all you want to do is sit around and not do too much because your overwhelmed by the shear amount of things you have to do for the holidays. So this year I thought that it might be a good idea to create a list of all the things required to do during a working holiday month and still be able to get something done.

1. Go to Malls
   1. I only recommend that you do this if you really need to. Watch out for moms with strollers cause if you get hit in the shins, its likely your out for the count.
2. Prioritize parties
   1. Only go to parties that you can feel the least uncomfortable at. Dont go to co-workers parties if you arent good friends with them, this will save unwanted discussions about work and family which can become uncomfortable.
3. Pre-make holiday cards
   1. This is a must! This will save you at least a day or too of procrastinating, otherwise you will look ungrateful to all your friends and family and will receive less the next year.
4. Call relatives
   1. Call relatives and keep it short. Its better to do this at family gatherings where you can pass the phone around, this way you can say “Hey, Mary wants to talk to you so it was good talking with you”.

This list is only a guideline, but recommended at best. So good luck with your holidays and ohh by the way, get some work done in there as well…if you need to.

Tags: family, holidays, list, work

Organic Holiday Party 2007

That time of year again, where everyone gets dressed up (or not) and comes to celebrate the holidays with the people you work with. This year I was alittle hesitant about going, with how last years went and it not being as fun and actually I was kinda bored. This year believe it or not made up for it ten-fold. This year contractors were invited to come, which increased the crowed from a mere 100 last year to over 300 this year. Crowd aside, there were many more activities available for people to do, Martini ice luge, group photo booth, lounging couches, 2 DJ’s

Tags: 2007, holiday party, organic

Bye Bye Pay Phones

AT&T announced today that by this time next year all of their pay phone setups will be gone. With the increased rise in cell phone usage over the last 10 years, phone companies are not cashing in like they used to. I cant remember the last time I used a pay phone, but I know it was atleast 8 years ago. Back when I didnt have a cell phone. Even then I made mostly collect calls to my parents or friends home phones (not cell phones).

Just wait, in 10 more years landlines will be a thing of the past as well. Even owning my own home I do not have a landline phone. There is no use for one that I can see. I can be easily reached via my cell phone 24/7 and know exactly what I am expected to pay. Also with text messaging which you can not do with a landline is a lifesaver and a definite necessity.

This may be an alternate solution to the pay phone, but I wouldnt expect to see it for atleast 5 more years.
http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa022801a.htm

Tags: cell phones, pay phones

Hulu

So I received my invite finally to hulu.com. So far I’m loving it. Who doesnt love the ability to watch a wide-range of tv shows online for free and in its full length?

News and Announcements

This is where any announcements will be posted

Inked Part 1.5

Ok so I went in for my second session yesterday thinking that the tattoo would be finished…but 3 hrs later just all the shading is done. So I’ll have to come back for a final one to do the coloring. My arm feels like it is on fire right now, but it looks sweet. I’ll post a picture later.

Inked Pt. 1

Friday I took the plunge and went in for my first sitting. Alittle over 3 hrs and I’ve got the outline done on my tattoo. It really didnt hurt that much getting that done, but a few spots were uncomfortable. Next friday I go back in for coloring and then it’ll be finished.

Read more…

I made the switch

So I never thought i would do it, but i did. I’ve switch. No more pc for me, well at home that is. I broke down and bought a mac. So far so good. Startup and running seems to be fairly easy. Installation of programs seem also very easy. I think once i start to load my photos and other applications onto it will i start to see how much i like it. But i have to say that its been the easiest machine i’ve worked with so far.