Asha from Parenthacks.com asked this seemingly innocuous question via twitter (she’s @parenthacks if you want to follow her) yesterday: What if, instead of unrealistic resolutions, for Jan 09, we set 31 daily goals, 4 weekly goals, and 1 monthly goal?
I already loved her, but this idea blew my mind. I was a little drunk at the time, having had my 1 1/2 drinks of New Year’s cheer, so I decided to wait until morning to declare all my goals. When I woke up, before I even bothered to open my eyes, I was thinking of how to set my goals.
If these goals are like NYE resolutions, you could set them every day…kinda like to do items on your list. That’s sure easier than coming up with 365 plus 12 plus 52 goals right now, right? And could they repeat? Of course they can… because each new year, how many of us are trying to Quit smoking, have more sex, lose weight, or stop yelling as much?
Another way to take it is a huge gigantic list like my 101 things in 1001 days. Or to buy and follow a book like Rookie Mom’s Handbook that sets out reasonable and fun goals for each day (with time off for good behavior)… okay gotta run, my cherubs let me sleep until 7:30 and are now screaming so I better go try to be cheery and not yell at them!
I like to believe I could do this… It sounds amazing. I’m worried I’d set stupid, little goals just to say I did them. Like, make it out of bed or change baby diapers.
Maybe if I search deeper than I am, I could come up with something more… inspirational.
I love this idea. Smaller goals seem so much more manageable and realistic. A goal per day is a little much for me right now, but I love the 101 things in 1000 days idea. I have been working on my list for about a week, but maybe finishing it would be a good way to spend the first day of 2009.
Thanks for the great ideas!
YAY! You are awesome. You know, I just tossed that off the top of my head. I’ve never been the best goal-setter — I’m much more day-to-day — so it just feels a lot more doable. I say everyone shares their goals on Twitter so we can all cheer each other on.
Daily goals sound so good but really daunting to me. Things change so frequently I wonder if I’d feel disappointed falling down at the first hurdle. However I would try small goals for the kiddos like, ” Will try a messy play activity this week, or remind them to play outside for at least 10 mins” . For me I might get those done. lol.
[...] and Asha suggested that smaller daily goals and smallish weekly goals are another way to look at the resolution tradition. I like this idea, [...]
What about 12 overarching goals for the year…i.e. Jan – clutter, Feb – relationship, March – exercize…..and do one thing every day for that goal, for that month. I would like to be able to do that, but haven’t had the guts yet to make the commitment. I would imagine that the impact I made from one month may carry forward into the year, but it could all get to be too overwhelming.
Now this is something to aspire to! Thanks!