In my previous article I discussed New Year’s Resolutions, and how typical resolutions bore me to tears. I suggested we should break away from the norm, and dare to do something different this year. Normal resolutions are so vague (I want to be healthier, I want to travel, I want to read….stuff) that it’s no wonder 25% of us have already fallen off the bandwagon after the first week.
If we focus on a series of specific goals rather than unclear ideas, we’ll have a better chance of succeeding. This is why I thought long and hard about what I wanted to achieve this year. After eliminating things such as “Drinking until I’m better looking” and “French kissing at least 50% of Hall & Oates” I came up with what I consider to be a pretty great list of things to accomplish.
Here is how The Tonic will be spending 2012:
(1) Sending more cards to people this year for absolutely no reason other than it will make them smile.
(2) Devoting more time to volunteering.
(3) Running a 5k.
(4) Learning a new skill each month.
(5) Crafting more. It really helps bring me to my place of Zen.
(6) Completing the book I’ve slooooowly been writing. Publishing to occur in 2013…if the world still exists.
(7) Forgiving all of the people who have been royal pains in the ass the last couple of years.
(8) Writing D-list celebrities (did you hear that Dave Coulier?) in an effort to make them feel relevant. Pictures of my boobs included.
(9) Kicking ass and taking names.
(10) Calling and/or writing my grandparents more often.
(11) Going on more hikes in the Columbia River Gorge.
(12) Getting down to California to visit my family more than just once during the holidays. I’m sure my parents miss their favorite child!
(13) Telling people how much they mean to me more often.
(14) Taking more pictures of anything and everything.
(15) Getting up when the alarm goes off instead of hitting the snooze button (dozens of times) because I always end up rushing around like a crazy person.
(16) Planning out my meals in advance. Stressing about what to eat for breakfast during dinner, or about what’s for dinner during breakfast is just dumb.
(17) Stopping the madness that is my procrastination.
Yeah, I realize I’m a jerk for making fun of resolutions, and then going and making 17 of them. Maybe one of my resolutions should be to stop being hypocritical. Nah, I’ll just file this under: Things I get away with because I’m The Tonic.
So how have I done so far? Considering it took me three weeks to put out this craptastic post, I’d say I’m not doing so well on the procrastination front, but I’ve done pretty well on the others. I’ve already sent cards, gotten my craft on, and have gotten into the habit of snapping photos. I’m pretty proud that I dove right in, and am confident I’ll keep up this momentum.
I believe the key to success isn’t against measuring yourself against what others are doing. It isn’t about beating yourself up when you fall off the bandwagon. It isn’t even about meeting every single benchmark you set for yourself. What I believe this year should be about, for all of us, is kicking ass and taking names.
Sips of Jen and Tonic 
1-3 and 10 are definitely ones I always say I’m going to do and always fall short on. But definitely agree that making goals for betterment on New Year’s isn’t fun and easily sets you up for failure. Who wants to do anything on a hungover day? Hope your list is coming along though. A friend of mine recently schooled me to her method of motivation. She’s written herself letters on her birthday that aren’t to be opened again until a future birthday. She asks herself what things she’s accomplished and what’s changed in her life. Who doesn’t like opening letters that aren’t bills?
My list is coming along quite nicely with the exception of the 5k thing. I still breathe like a smoker who is being chased by a robber when I run. I’ll get there!
Your friend’s idea about writing herself a letter is GENIUS.
I love all of the above. Especially #9.
That seems to be on A LOT of people’s lists this year 😉
Seriously though, I happen to think #1 is awesome. I am going to buy a book of 10 stamps in the hope that every one of them will end up on the envelope of a card for someone who doesn’t expect it. You rock.
I’ve been really surprised at how touched people are to receive a random little surprise in the mail! It’s wonderful what a stamp, a card and a simple handwritten message can do.
I hit the snooze alarm son January 19th, and it took me this long to comment. Here’s to 2012… the Year of the Tonic… at least that’s what the last line of that pesky Mayan Calendar says when you use Google Translate.
You didn’t hit the snooze button– you were busy being a great friend.
“Year of the Tonic” does have a nice ring to do it, doesn’t it?
I nominated you for two awards because I really enjoy your blog and appreciate you sharing your experiences. You can find the rules to accepting the awards here http://narcissistsblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/28/my-head-is-so-big-i-may-be-stuck-in-the-house-for-a-while/.
Congratulations!
AH! Thanks so much!! Is this because I helped you discover what your second highest search term is for your blog? 😉
I wish you and your new goals the best. I hope by the end of the year you make MacGyver look like a girl scout! And Also I hope that at the end of that 5k, 50% of Hall & Oates will be there to kiss you… however I cannot predict which one it will be.
Also if you don’t mind I completely, I nominate you for having a Lovely Blog. http://viciously-sweet.com/2012/01/27/some-people-think-i-have-a-lovely-blog/
I just imagined a montage of me slowly running to the finish line. I’m sweaty, tired and have a broken ankle that I’ve managed to continue running on because I’m cool like that. Just when I think I can’t go on I see [Hall or Oates] waiting there with his lips puckered.
Also, thank you SO MUCH for the blog award! It really means a lot coming from you 🙂
I knit to ease the stress and I love it!
#9 is my fav
And I need to do #13 more often … thanks for reminding me 🙂
Oh man, I need to learn how to knit! Everyone who does it tells me how relaxing it is.
You are already doing #9 my dear 😉
Hey, four out of seventeen ain’t bad! Personally, I haven’t kicked a lot of ass…but I’ve filled half a notebook with names so far. I have found this (my only resolution) to be rather manageable each year. You, my dear, need only one resolution to keep on writing this funny blog. My best
Is the notebook full of names a hit list? If so, I’d recommend starting off slowly– there’s a steep learning curve in that business 😉
At your request, I shall keep on keepin’ on. Best to YOU in the new year.
–Jen,
You. Do. Kick. Ass.
Loved the post. xx
Thanks! Looks like a check another one off the list 😉
Love your blog! Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for the “normal” read, we have a lot in common but you are so much funnier than I 🙂
If my funnier you mean I a bigger hot mess than you, than yes, that may be true.
Good job so far! (I could have used that no snooze button resolution this morning . . .)
The snooze button resolution is still one that is semi-eluding me. I have gotten up on time about 4 days so far. But you know, that’s better than how many mornings I got up on time last year….zero.
Jen! You totally have to create NYE cards with that phrase ‘A Very Tonic New Year’ 🙂
Fun resolutions are the way to go. Seriously why make things boring for yourself while you already have tons of responsibilities to take care off? I love your list!! You probably already know which one makes me even more happy?? hehe
You ARE The Tonic indeed. Never let someone tell you otherwise. If they do, send them to me. I’ll shall throw a curse word or two at them.
Ciaoo!
AH! The card idea is so great. I shall have to put that in my back pocket for the holiday season. It will just be a HUGE picture of my face 😀
Fun resolutions ARE the way to go. I agree that we already have so much responsibility, and it’s pointless to pile on more. I think when we’re having fun our life heads in the direction we wanted it to go in in the first place. And yes, I think I know which one makes you most happy!
I just imagined you cursing at someone, and I burst into laughter!
Remember the serious businessss….hehe 🙂
POKER FACE O_O