2012 Resolutions Contest
New Year's Resolution Contest
Great News!
It's time to take a look at your accomplishments. Your blessings and the fruits of your labors. Time to give yourself an "Atta-girl" if for no other reason than to prevent you from dismissing the great things you've already done in the past year. It's also the time to decide if there are any areas in your life you'd like to improve. This can be a time of great expectancy and optimism.But how this is "great news?"
We're going to give four randomly selected people a gift. We have a $25 Amazon gift card* to give to four of the people who post a comment here that meets the criteria below: http://www.sabrinaomalone.com between now and January 1, 2012. (*Void where prohibited)
Keep in mind, there are no right or wrong answers. And no one will be judged on what they've done or not done. This is a POSITIVE, affirming and edifying exercise.
The criteria:
1. list three of your accomplishments in 2011.2. list at least three resolutions for 2012.
(That's it.)
Taking the time to write down the things you accomplished in 2011 and setting goals for 2012 will cause you to put a little more thought into it than usual. It will also provide an opportunity for you to think back on your successes and be encouraged by them. (A very important motivational tactic that gets overlooked - particularly for busy working moms.) That's an oversight we can correct right now.
The idea for this exercise came up over the Christmas break, when I had the chance to sit down with a laser-focused, accomplished, professional analytical thinker with a proven track record for problem-solving. He's the most goal-achieving person I know.
Seriously.
- He's an MBA.
- A mechanical engineer.
- An electrical engineer.
- Who supervises other engineers
- For one of the largest power companies in the world.
[Proud big sister moment here...]
Anyhow, I asked him what he thought of the fact that I have this tendency to recycle my New Year's Resolutions year after year. I was discouraged by my lack of progress and was wondering whether or not I've been approaching self-improvement all wrong.
His response was astonishing.
He replied: "Brina, that's not necessarily a bad thing."
What?
How could the most goal-oriented, high-achieving person I know say such a thing?
"It's all about the long range view."
He continued: "If you were setting goals that could be fully achieved and mastered within a one-year time frame, you'd probably be setting your sights too low. The fact that you're resolving things that will have a significant impact on the rest of your life is an indication that they should be recycled, continued and expanded upon year after year. The goal should be to reach a higher level of mastery for related or inter-dependent resolutions as the years progress.
[Whew... wasn't that like a breath of fresh air to make me feel good?]
This was a radically different way of thinking about incomplete goals or resolutions for me. Jason's perspective is reminiscent of the Biblical concept of grace, which completes love while transcending righteousness and forgiveness.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9
Remember, God is not through with us yet! We're still a work in progress, so of course there are areas that still need improvement. We may not be where we want to be - but we're further along in the process than we were before!
To give you a specific example of my own resolutions, last year I resolved the following:
- To get in shape
- To read the Bible cover to cover
- To rebuild our savings
- I got into (and back out of) of "almost-shape."
- I read through the Bible -(not cover-to-cover)
- And began saving for retirement again
- Run a 5k mini-marathon
- Read the Bible cover to cover (in Spanish)
- Max out our 401k
Oh, and have a Happy and Blessed New Year!
2011 Accomplishments:
1- successfully started a family business that we had been trying to start for 2 yrs
2- went on a family vacation with no relatives and had some true down time with the kids and hubby
3- accepted the fact that my oldest son has something in addition to his ADHD that we need to address and deal with.
2012 Goals:
1 - Find more balance in my life (I work too much and play too little)
2 - Save more money (have a budget in 2012)
3 - Eat less and exercise more
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3 things accomplished in 2011:
1. set up craft central in front room
2. Made my first craft sales on etsy
3. Started a Vintage Shop on etsy
3 goals for 2012:
1. Finish my craft room.
2. Pay off hospital/Dr. Bills
3. Triple my online sales so I can quit my day job.
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Accomplishments for 2011
1. Filed out taxes , Received money back !
2. Visited my dad.
3.Both boys were fully potty trained.
Goals for 2012
1. Give up soda for 2012
2. Lose some weight
3. Get taxes done.
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2011 Accomplishments:
- Finally got the good news that we were pregnant after trying for a year.
-Finished painting the inside of our home, that was our #1 goal for the new year
-Spent more time with the hubby (date nights)
2012 Goals
-Teach my son his ABC's and potty train him ( wish me luck)
- Excerise and eat better so I can get into my skinny jeans
- pay off the credit card that is hanging over my head
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In 2011 I managed to:
1. Finish a 5k for a good cause.
2. Come up out of grief and restart my career.
3. Make several good decisions about my life.
In 2012 I'm going to:
1. Relocate closer to family
2. Sell my house with no lo$$
3. Work on the things that help me instead of the things that are cluttering the path.
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For 2011, I went to the gym 3-4x a week as planned, active listening with my son & gave beyond my comfort zone. For 2012, I would really like to mentor my son's spiritual walk better thru some practical ways, be brave to try new recipes & actually finish reading the Bible through.
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1. Moved back to Delaware with my loving hubby and beautiful children
2. Went back to school for my Master's Degree-and can proudly say I have a 4.0 average!
3. Went back to work for the State of Delaware--where I already had more than 10 years towards retirement--so I can retire in about 7 or 8 years! Yey!!!
Goals for 2012
1. Get into better shape, excerise more
2. Hug my kids more times each day-they are truly my blessings from God
3. Continue with my studies hopefully finishing early next year-and in 2013 start my Doctorate degree.
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For 2011,
1. I found a weight loss plan I can stick to
2. successfully coordinated with the local veterans for the first Veterans Day Parade
3. found my inner strenght to keep going when things get rough.
For 2012
1. I will keep going with my weight loss plan and get to single digit pant sizes
2. be more patient
3. spend more quality time with my family
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CONGRATULATIONS! Please check your email for the Amazon Gift card information!
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3 accomplishments 2011
1) renewed my contract at work for another two years
2) bought my first car in my name
3) taught my son to drive (okay so he wrecked my first car bought in my name in Decemeber but all is good)
3 goals 2012
1) eat better
2) grow closer to God
3)read more, spend less time on the computer
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is the contest open to non US residents? (I am Canadian)
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Sure! You have Amazon in Canada too, right?
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Accomplishments this year were:
1. Moved more towards natural foods and more away from processed foods for my family.
2. Carved out time to do the important things with my girls. Did not let my overdemanding job dictate that I'd be an underperforming mom.
3. Spent a good portion of the year in a steady workout schedule until I couldn't. As a result I felt better, looked better and generally was better...until I wasn't.
My goals are:
1. Finish the cookbook and write for myself more. (ie work on my WIPS and see them through.)
2. Make sure I have time carved out for me. Playing the guitar, reading. My downtime means a better interaction with the rest of the family.
3. Continue to drive for healthier practices for the family. Continue the push for less processed foods and more natural options. Push for healthy choices and smart options as opposed to "dieting". Keep active and keep the love of God, self and each other central.
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Accomplishments for 2011:
-moved from Germany to the US,
-leaned into God for strength when my sister died,
-became involved in a new church family
Goals for 2012:
- improve my marriage
-spend time daily with Him in the Word
-teach my children good values and morals.
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Accomplishments for 2011:
- More publicity for our 2nd book
- Served others more
- Continued pouring into our sons' lives.
Goals for 2012:
- Start writing the 3rd book in the series.
- Continue to draw closer to the Lord.
- Be financially able to give way beyond what we're giving now.
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Accomplishments for 2011:
1. I lost weight.
2. Starting reading my Bible on a daily basis.
3. Got a closer walk with the Lord.
Goals for 2012
1. Pay off all of my debts
2. Go back to school and finish my degree.
Do some traveling to places I haven't been with my family.
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accomplishments for 2011
-raised $150.00 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer walk for research in honor of a mom at our school.
-completed a writing course through the Institute of Children's Literature
-Lost 15 lbs. by watching what I ate and exercise
Goals for 2012:
-Loose 50 lbs. by changing my eating habits through the Eat to Live program
-Begin my Masters of Education with a school library science concentration
-Read the Bible cover to cover
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My accomplishments 2011
1) I gave up on trying to be someone else & accepted myself for who I truly am.
2) I became mentally healthier by staying on my medication consistently for my bipolar disorder.
3) I gave my son more of my time & made it the best time we've ever spent together.
My 2012 Goals:
1) Introduce healthier whole foods into my diet to feel better physically.
2) Have a better relationship w/my husband(Intimate & emotionally)
3) Help my son cope with his ADHD without the use of medications.
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CONGRATULATIONS! Please look for my email with your Amazoncom gift card information!
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Accomplisments of 2011:
1)Developed a regular time w/God
2)Wrote down definitions to Bible characters names from Hebrew to English in 1 Chronicles read so far.
3) Learned the first two chapters of the book of James
Goals for 2012
1)Finish learning book of James
2)Start excercising regularly
3)Get dinner ready to be eaten before 9 o'clock during work-week.
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2011 Accomplishments:
1)Stopped beating myself up when I left the dirty dishes in the sink to dedicate more quality time for our Friday Family Nights.
2)Got on our dusty treadmill more than a handful of times even though it seemed like I didn't have enough time.
3)Stopped using the excuse of "no time" and took time (most) mornings to "pretty up" and also actually start using my collection of handbags that have started collected dust.
Goals for 2012
1) Stop beating myself up about our constantly disorganized house.
2) Spend more quality time with my kids and husband by prioritizing and just doing "just enough" versus perfect.
3) Jog, run, walk on that treadmill at least twice a week!
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2011-able to stay in my apartment after landlord try to kick me and my family out in the cold.
2. Currently with my job for now going on 3 years.
3. Got my first colchear implant on my left ear and is able to hear after 33 years! Amen.
2012- pay off all of debts.
2. Lose weights
3. Start a sucessful business at home after many unsucessful business in the past.
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CONGRATULATIONS! Please check your email for information on your Amazon gift card!
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I vow to get out in the sunshine at least an hour a day!
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2011
1. made a product, web site for it and sold some.
2. Did a 15 day detox of fruits and veggies. lost 10 pounds as a bonus
3. took our 3 yr old off gluten and finally got him potty trained
2012
1. read through the bible ( in English : ) )
2. do detox again
3.Start walking again in the morning
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Accomplishments
1. Made peace with a family member
2. Became certified in my profession
3. Joined a gym and actually used it.
Resolutions
1. To become more active in animal rescue
2. Spend more time with my grandchildren
3. Prepare more healthier meals
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2011 goals that were completed-
-Start up my new business
-Landscape my back yard
-over come my breast cancer scare
2012 goals-
-Start living my life like it is my last day
-Spend more time with my husband and kids
-spend more time outside
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2011 accomplishments:
*Took and completed a Lay Speaking class
*Walk 3 miles 4x Week
*Studied Luke in depth
2012 Goals:
*Get back into my early September clothes (gotta lose the 15 pounds I lost and then gained back)
*Save enough money for our November Disney trip so that we are not using our credit card for it
*Make our church's book club as successful as possible!!!
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CONGRATULATIONS! Please check your email for information for your Amazoncom gift card!
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During 2011 I was able to:
1. Read six good, clean, books to relax and stimulate my mind.
2. Knit and give a baby blanket to my one of my grandchildren...wow, you have no idea what an accomplishment that was, to actually finish a craft project.
3. Studied essential oils and got son off ADHD meds, daughter off asthma machines and meds and myself off anti-depressants...and then started a home-based business with them!
My goals for 2012:
1. Eat three servings of fruits/veggies a day (this is a BIG goal for me...I'm very lazy and don't eat well.
2. Read my scriptures for 20 minutes every single day.
3. Look for one person, every day, to help somehow...even if it's just a smile, to keep me looking outward.
I feel like these goals will keep me strong and then my goals for my family and business will be easier to accomplish!
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2011 Accomplishments
1. I sang with a band, leading the band, in front of people. (So scary,so awesome!)
2. Taught someone to swim
3. Let that person teach me how to pray
4. Started writing - a blog that people seems to like (http://ecalories.blogspotcom/) and 2 childrens' books
5. Got fired! (would be a bad thing except I'm proud of what I did to cause that company to sever it's relationship with me)
Resolutions for 2012
1. Find a new job STAT!
2. Continue losing weight by eating right and going to the gym
3. Pray and meditate every day in order to practice handing my heart over to God and staying calm in the face of stressful situations
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2011 accomplishments
1. let my oldest son spread his wings a little
2. learned to laugh at my youngest's imagination
3. removed a lot of "junk" from my calendar!
2012 Resolutions
1. improve my health
2. work more on my scrapbooks
3. learn to be a better wife (maybe this should be #1)
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1. Paid off all debts left from divorce
2. Found a great job close to home
3. got remarried to a sweet man- was not planning on that!
4. Found a WONDERFUL church and joined- have been getting involved and been invited to sing on stage
in 2012
1. learn more about digital photography and try to improve- maybe sell some pics?
2. eat less junk food, fast food, and meat
3. exercise 3 x a week in moderation
4. paint and decorate my new home
5. Spend time DAILY in PRAYER and reading the Bible
6. Get organized and STAY organized
Heather Voithofer
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onfused, got an email saying I won!!! yay I never win anything thanks! still haven't got the email to claim my prize?
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Hi Evelyn, I think I know what happened. I replied to your question as to whether or not you were eligible to participate in Canada - and I can imagine seeing any email from me would've been confusing. Consequently, we've decided to award a total of FIVE WINNERS - and you're our fifth and FINAL winner. You should have received an Amazon.ca gift card at your email address a few moments ago. Thanks for following up with me and CONGRATULATIONS!!! :-0)
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