Self-helpers are always pushing the SMART system for goal-setting — make goals Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Timely — as in, I’ll reach x pounds by such-and-such date and step on the scale once a week … SMART might work well for certain goals, but these days, it strikes me overall as a control-freaky way of screwing up your life. Your mileage may vary. But for me I prefer just some general direction; I have better things to do than guilt-trip myself over not meeting some minute criterion.
Pic by Michelle Ress
So instead I’ll state my resolutions as basic directions toward which I’ll travel, y’know? These are on top of additional serious life stuff I have to do, such as finish up my schoolteaching certificate, and they’re in no particular order.
- Slim down.
- Exercise regularly.
- Pay off debt, save money.
- Finish incomplete creative writing projects.
- Blog more.
- Learn more about, and get better at, domestic stuff: housecleaning, money management, relationship stuff, etc.
At the end of the year, let’s see how these has gone!
I’ll try to post a 2010 retrospective soon. By the way, the tag “Golzar” is a slang word for “Goal” between me and this guy.
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