Goals

A year ago, my husband and I went to a counselor. We were having trouble coping with life as adults with a child among other issues. Growing up we're taught to focus on our future career, getting married, making babies, and that's about it. But what do you do when you already have those things? I had the house, the job, the husband and kid, etc... now what?

One of the things that the counselor talked about is setting goals. In one study, a bunch of people who claimed to be happy with their lives were questioned. The one thing they all had in common -- they set goals. After I got out of school, I was just floating through life aimlessly. I need goals to keep me focused, to keep me feeling like I'm a person outside of my family and career. So in the grand tradition of New Year's Day, I make resolutions. But I like to call them goals. I don't like New Year's resolutions, no one ever keeps them. But Free Range Hubby and I make our New Year's goal setting a formal process. We sit down over dinner, and write them down. Then they go on the fridge for everyone to see. Even the cleaning lady knows that it was my goal to get a promotion at work this year (which I did, by the way). We even make goals for Free Range Bennett.

Last year was one of the best years for me, so maybe there is something to this whole goal setting thing. It's awesome to be able to look at last year's list and see what we've accomplished.

For 2012, my first goal is a biggie. No shopping at Walmart. Especially difficult since I work there once a month. I'm just tired of the rude employees, the rude customers, they're always out of stock on stuff, or they just don't carry what I need to begin with. We already do most of our grocery shopping at Kroger anyway. When you clip coupons, Kroger is almost always cheaper than Walmart - and usually better quality. If I consistently got bad service anywhere else, I would stop going. Why should Walmart be any different?

I also want to read at least one book a month in 2012. I miss reading. So I figure if I write it down as a formal goal, I'll make it more of a priority. I read The Help recently and found myself thinking of the characters when I wasn't reading. And when I finished the book I missed the characters like they were old friends I hadn't seen in a while. I love when books do that to me. I don't have my first book picked out yet, I usually just go to the bookstore and browse the shelves until something jumps out at me.

Also, a colleague and I were talking about becoming board certified ambulatory care specialists. That basically involves paying a lot of money and taking this big scary test. And I thought I was done studying..... I guess it's going on the list, but I'm not too enthusiastic about this one.

And as always, I'm trying to rely less on processed foods. This goal isn't really measurable, so it's not going on the list. But in my mind it's near the top of the list.

As for Free Range Bennett, I think his goal will be to use the potty. Crap, I'm dreading this one! I really don't want to force the issue, but he's already starting to show signs he's ready. Everything else with him was so easy, I just fear this potty training this is going to give us trouble.

I haven't talked to Free Range Hubby about his goals yet. But I'm looking forward to hearing about them and making them official! Happy New Year everyone!