It is that time of year again. The time when we feel compelled by forces beyond our control to make resolutions that we inevitably don’t keep. What is it about the dates on a calendar that make this time of year actually feel like something is coming to a close and something new is beginning? I have always found it odd how much a new year actually feels new.
I have not been sold on resolutions in the past because there is often no accountability to them. They are generally random half-hearted commitments to change. Last year, however, while reading Kelly Sue DeConnick’s blog I came across her post about Uberlists (its the one entitled “Its Here”). The idea is instead of making new year’s resolutions you make a new year’s to-do list. The items on the list can be big or small, touch any area of your life, and can be simple or hard to accomplish. The idea is to put some thought into it and put these to-do items down on a list. It doesn’t have to be organized, just start writing. There is actually now an Uberlist Community that you can join for some measure of accountability. Last year I made a list and tracked it occasionally throughout the year. I only accomplished about 12% of my list last year so obviously I want to do better this year. I put things on my list that I would like to change, etc…things which are “new year’s resolutionish” but I also put home improvement projects, vacation plans, etc. Things I know I want to get done. The list is also fluid and can be added to or changed as the year goes on. My list at this point has 77 items on it. Some examples are:
-Read at least 50 books this year (100 pages plus count towards goal)
-Build new gate for backyard fence
-Finish cleaning/reorganizing basement by February 1st, 2006
-Goal for $1000 of sales on ebay, put all money into savings
-Hike at least 5 trails in Mary’s Hiking Kansas City book
-Put up ceiling fan in Tori’s room by March
-Take an overnight trip to St. Louis with family this spring
-Finish all of the LOTR trilogy
-Go camping in cabin for a weekend in the fall
-Finish sanding/restaining porch swing by May 1st
-Repair garage door
-Have monthly in-house date night
There are more personal things that I cannot share and fun things as well. I have 3 or 4 computer games that I have had forever that I want to finish playing. I have a list of people I want to write to at least once per quarter and a list of people I want to call at least once per month. This year I actually made subcategories under each of my items and put a date for accomplishment, made a tracking area for the letter writing, phone calls, etc. I decided to go back to using a journal and writing down books read, page count and dates…something I did for 2 years in a row and did not do last year thinking I would utilize the blog for this. I am also using the same journal to keep a list of gifts I have given for birthdays, Christmas, etc. as I am starting to forget what I give people and then panic the next time I go to buy something not remembering if I have already got them this same item. I also have to-do’s that have to do with weight, my spiritual life, my relationships, etc. It is a really fun idea. Throughout last year I would check mine periodically. I typed it out in Word and saved it and as I would accomplish things I would change the font color on those items so I could still see them but would have an indication that they were done.
I am in no way pushing anyone to do this, I just wanted to share because I found it to be such a great idea last year. I shared my list with Mary this year as there are several things that we can accomplish together that would be more difficult for me to accomplish on my own. This is a much more organized way to utilize the start of a new year to plan on getting the most out of it.
I am curious about any New Year’s traditions you have. Do you do resolutions? Do you keep them? Also let me know what you think of this idea and feel free to ask questions if I didn’t explain it well enough.
This is really a great idea. I think of things to do each year but never put pen to paper. I think I will try it this year to see if helps. Plus it will be kind of fun to look back on at the end of the year to see what I’ve accomplished and what needs to be slid over to next year’s to do list. 🙂
I don’t believe in making resolutions normally, but this year I am making one, which I will be hard pressed to keep. That one resolution is to be as compassionate as humanly possible. Wish me luck! I love your idea, tho! It’s a damn good one 🙂
Not my idea Janet, but thanks….you have my luck, prayers, and good thoughts on your rather big goal.
The computer makes this so much easier to do Jeff. I keep a copy of my list at work and home so I can review when the mood strikes. For one who procrastinates I actually found myself reviewing my list alot last year.
I’ve only ever kept one new year’s resolution in my life. And that one was to not make any more new year’s resolutions 🙂
I hear you Fence! That’s why I like this. This way I don’t find myself thinking halfway through the year…”I really wanted to check out a biography of Henry Fielding”…I just put it on the to-do list while I’m thinking about it to remind me later on.
Hurray for Carl’s Uberlist. I will be happy to lend a hand if you need help, honey. I am by nature a list maker. I make daily lists at work and will often make them at home.
This past summer, Carl and I stayed at an Inn (or B&B) that had a really neat idea for couples who were making reservations for the next year. They gave you a piece of paper with 10 questions concerning where you want to be next year in different areas of your life (health, relationships, financial, etc).. You filled the form out, sealed it in an envelope, and left it for the Inn to give you on your return next year.
I only remember some of what we wrote…
Unfortunately, I am not an organized list maker. If I made a list of all the things I need to/want to do this year I would feel totally overwhelmed and defeated. I think I’ll just stick to trying to make it through each day being the best wife and mom I can be.
If I can actually do that than I’ve accomplished something much bigger than myself.
I do need to spend more quiet time in prayer and meditation.
I do need to start getting up earlier. I am going to try to do that this year.
I guess I need to keep my list simple. I do admire you for being so organized and ambitious. That’s awesome. People that set goals accomplish more.
Carl, you forgot one thing.
-Paint Jimmy’s Office
Great idea hon! Carl, I’ll compile my own list and submit it to you!!
This really is a neat idea. I think new year’s resolutions are overrated. I don’t ever make resolutions, but I do know there are a lot of things I would like to accomplish, change or enjoy. Making a list like this would also be inspirational in some aspects. Things I would like to accomplish this coming year are; more spiritual motivation, working out on a regular basis because it makes me feel better, to stop smoking (now I have not actually set a date on this but it is coming my goal is to quit before the first quarter) and going on a real vacation.
Everyone be safe this new year and have a wonderful time. Talk to you next year!
I may have to put that way down on my list Jimmy! I’ll come help you paint though…if you provide the Black and Tans! 🙂
I’m far from organized Jules, just trying to make a few improvements. The cool thing about this is that several of the things on the list are things I want to do anyway as well as putting some things that will require a little work. Having them on the list just keeps them fresh in my mind whenever I look at it. Several times during the year I find myself “waking up” wondering what I’ve done over the last several weeks. I also have very productive times during the year. I’m hoping to just balance those times and have a little more control over my own life rather than letting time and circumstance control everything. Another thing I like about this type of list rather than resolutions is that you can put fun things on it…its easy to let fun things fall by the wayside when life gets too busy and I like having that reminder that there are things I need to take time to enjoy just to maintain balance and sanity.
I also think its important to plan time to be with Mary alone rather than relying on everything being “spontaneous”. I find that if I don’t at least have some structure in that area it is easy to get caught up in doing other things and then too much time goes by where we haven’t had our own time. That’s why I want to do the monthly in-home date idea. I read about this somewhere else and the idea is to have the kids (kid in our case) either have a friend over and stay in their room or area of the house or whatever while the adults can watch a movie, eat, etc. in their own area. I realize this only works when you’re kids are old enough to entertain themselves but I think it is a good, and very inexpensive, date night idea.
I don’t much like making resolutions. They always seems to be things like losing weight or exercising more–things that require constant vigilance and are too “big” to tackle with a resolution.
I am trying to follow Mary’s example of making more lists. It really works for her, and I’m hoping it’ll save me the trouble of trying to remember every detail. The Knitting Cybrarian gave me a Project Organizer notebook that might help. If nothing else, I’ll use it until the novelty wears off. Now if I could just find a perfect calendar…
I was really happy when I found this year’s work appt book as I found one that has the appt times at the top quarter of the page and the rest is lined for notes. This should cut down on me having post-its all over the place. I was annoyed, however, when I found out that it was one of those August to August calendars as I’ll have to get a replacement this summer.
Carl, I think your list is a great idea.
James and I have done lots of in-home dating. We have to with four small children and a tight budget. They are sooooo fun. Generally, we do it on a weekly basis, cuz we only go out every few weeks. My best date memories are the in-home ones. We usually put the kids to bed ASAP. After things are settled, James goes on a fast food run. Lately, we’ve been devouring 10 packs of tacos! We sit on our bedroom floor and eat and drink wine, beer etc. It’s a chance to unwind and talk together. Sometimes we snuggle up to something from Netflix. On really fun nights, James plays DJ. We listen to music off the computer for hours, while sipping wine and singing away! I love our bedroom to hangout in because it has an entertainment center, computers, chair, bed, bath. It’s like a fun suite and it’s away from the kids. All that to say, you will enjoy your in-house dating. It’s a great idea!
We also have family date nights every Friday night. We have pizza, hang out and the girls have a slumber party in the living room. We also try to give the girls turns, one at a time, hanging out with us. We watch a movie, etc. and they get to sleep with us. It’s a big treat for them. Can you tell I am having trouble sleeping?
It is rather early in the a.m. to be posting Jules! A family in-home date night is one of the things on the schedule as well. I love to make invitations…don’t know why but its one of the things I love to do, like the ones I did for Mary’s Tarts Halloween Party, so it will be fun to pre-plan something to surprise the girls with. For the last 2 years I’ve done Christmas invitations to the Anderson Family Christmas in which I put activities that we will do the night before we open presents and the day or our Christmas. Good ideas. Rhapsody makes listening to music like that a blast, I really like that idea and will have to incorporate that one into the mix. We need to make sure we do some of those things this year as couples…have Tori babysit and you guys come over here to eat and watch a Netflix movie or just talk…or watch James sleep on the couch. 😉
And I’m serious about the painting offer….and the Black and Tans.