Goals for the new year

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2014 has come and gone.  And I’m excited for the new adventures of 2015!

I’m really into lists because they keep me on track.  This year, thanks to blogland, I learned the effectiveness of writing monthly goals.

So… for the last few days, my brain has been casually tossing around some goals.  And none seemed to “click.”  Until I read Chelsea’s 6 questions to ask yourself first.

And then it just all came together.

What is one thing in my control that I want to be different next year? 

Rolling with the punches.

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I’m a planner.  I like to think ahead.  I like things to fall into place just like I’ve imagined they will.  And yes, it’s good to plan ahead.  But seriously… life doesn’t unfold like that all the time.  So I want to do a better job of just rolling with it when life throws me curve balls.

And there is no bigger inspiration than my husband.  He just rolls with everything.  For real.  Everythinggggg.  

What is one thing I want to learn in the next 365 days?

I want to learn more about blogging and designing.  My ultimate goal for this blog is to also include some prints and paper goods on here.  It’s all things I’m learning through trial and error.  {Well, that and Google.}  I absolutely love it.  It’s my passion!  Sometimes I wonder why I didn’t go to school to study graphic design but since I didn’t, I’m just enjoying learning all of this on my own time.

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What’s one way I want to be different by this time next year?

I want to be more loving.

I know, I know… so cliche that it kinda makes you go, “OMG, Claire, come onnn.”  And you kinda roll your eyes and skip down to the next part of this post.

But, I’m not very loving.  People get on my nerves quickly.  I get annoyed at the drop of the hat.

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I mean, don’t get me wrong.  The people who I do love?  I love them.  But… newsflash… they’re also the people who love me.  I mean, that’s not real love.  How easy is it to love the people who love you back?  Nothing to write home about.

I want to learn to love the people who are frustrating.  Who make life difficult.  Because that is real love.

{And God?  There’s already a few people in my life who I can start with so don’t feel like you have to go overboard and bring 39473298 of those people into my life.  I’m good to just start where I’m at.  Ok?  Ok.}

What is one thing I will regret if I don’t do this year?

I’ve mentioned a time or two that I have a volunteer in my classroom this year.  {And every  elementary teacher just rolled her eyes.}  But in high school, parents are never involved.  But this mom comes in and decorates my room, or files graded work or… seriously does whatever she can to help me with a huge smile on her face.  She’s like my little gem who comes in once or twice a week.

On the real?  I don’t have a lot of extra time laying around during the school year and absolutely NONE during basketball season.  But summertime?  Well, that’s a whole different ballgame.  We spend a lot of time on the lake and we go on some vacations and do some relaxing.  All things that are worthwhile.  But I really want to volunteer my time somewhere this summer.

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So I’m praying for doors to be opened.

What is a characteristic or a word that describes how I want to live this next year of my life?

I don’t know.  Everything that comes to my mind is what I’ve already mentioned.  Like being more loving.  Or rolling with the punches.  I’m also a huge fan of the quote, “Give your all.”

How ’bout this one from Pinterest?

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It just stands out for some reason.  I want to collect moments in 2015.

If there were three things I could magically change about my life, what would they be?

Chelsea actually had this listed as question three but I had to move it to the end.  A playful, completely out of reach question just feels right after all those serious, soul-searching answers.

1. I would never be pressed for time.  For example, I could blog and design as much as I wanted / I’d never be running late first thing in the morning as I’m throwing dinner in the crockpot / Basketball season wouldn’t affect every other aspect of life / weekends wouldn’t end so quickly.  You know, the usual stuff.

2. Naps would be a normal, expected part of everyday adult life. 

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But since they aren’t, I guess I’ll just stick to Sundays.

3.  A cleaning fairy would take care of all that overrated cleaning stuff for me.  I got no problem straightening up, doing the laundry and all that stuff.  But if a fairy would just descend on my house every day and do things like clean the baseboards, scrub the toilet, mop the floor… all that… I’d be forever indebted.

If I’ve learned anything from blogging over the last few months, it’s that I’m better at getting things accomplished when I have a list.  And that applies to things beyond a grocery list.  I’ve been more productive over the last few months because I was intentional about the things I wanted to get done.

What are some things you’re hoping to accomplish in 2015?  Put some thought into it and write them down!  Cheers!

{Linkup}

| Joey | Kristin |

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  • Great list love! I could stand to do a few of these too!

    • So much to improve on… that’s the beauty in a fresh start of a new year! xoxo, Joey!

  • I had a reliable volunteer 2 years in a row and it made the BIGGEST difference. I don’t have that now. Filing and sorting is perfect for a parent to do. I used to have a parent put a giant orange checkmark on checked work…just so the kids could easily tell the difference. I’d have hundreds of papers stacked up before I got around to marking them.
    Happy new year, Claire!

    • After 6 years in the classroom, this is my first experience with a volunteer and it’s amazing. Maybe that’s what 2015 will bring you – a little bit of help to take care of the tedious work! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you. Cheers!

  • Oh man, I feel the same way about naps. lol! And I am also a HUGE list maker (if you couldn’t tell from my blog, haha!!). My husband laughs because he always finds my little lists around the house all the time. I am definitely going to try to learn new things about blogging and design this year. I still feel so clueless

    • Me too, girl! Me too!

  • Claire – I think all of your goals are doable and I know you can pull them off! I’m adding to the list in my mind for us to get together again – soon! NAPS! {enter angelic singing}

    • That’s on my list, too. Let’s plan it. I really want to see you again!

  • Great goals, my favorite is love life!

    • Thanks, Brooke! Live it up, right?

  • Such a great list Claire! I’ve got learning to go with the flow on my list too. It’s so easy to just plan everything out but we gotta learn to relax and just roll with the punches. I have a feeling we’ll both really enjoy this after a while.

    • That’s one of those goals that’s hard to actually check off your list but I think once it’s learned, it will make life much smoother! Good luck with yours and happy 2015!