I let go of 2011 when I left mid-December to go to Germany for Christmas. Now I’m back home and in that strange place where it’s not quite 2012 yet but I’m so ready for it to be! I’m reading all these reviews of 2011 as I catch up on blogs and I keep reading about this No Goals concept over at Zen Habits.
I think there is some essence of truth in the No Goals concept but perhaps it is too radically named. The mere idea insighted strong disagreement within me and I wanted to know why. The more I’ve revisited the idea the more I’ve realised that I don’t have goals in the traditional sense any more.
For 2012 I’ve brainstormed more than 100 dreams. They’re big dreams and little dreams and every day dreams. They’re dreams about travel and relationships and writing and creaivity and spirituality. I’ve made a list of only the next smallest thing I can do to get from where I am now to that dream. I’ve even done some of them and those wonderful dreams will become a reality.
I’ve chosen to focus on my health for January. I’m going to teach myself to run, play Zumba 2 on the Wii and really stretch and use my body. I’m going to eat more fruit and vegetables and find new delicious recipes to try. I’m making in fun. I’m making it important. I’m doing it with a single minded passion.
I could have written down a goal to lose two dress sizes (which incidentally I did) but I don’t know if that or any figure of weight is realistic or the right weight for my body. I want to be active, full of energy and healthy. I want to SHINE!
That is how I’m pursuing my dreams for 2012. That’s how my view of goals has evolved through 2011. I’m throwing off everything about goals that held me back and jumping into the air and over rainbows to chase my dreams.
Love the idea of 100 dreams for 2012. It’s a beautiful idea and I wish you luck with it. You’re focusing more on the fun things you *can* do, rather than setting resolutions that may very well be unrealistic.
I’m not much of a New Year’s Resolution girl, though I do set goals at the turn of each year. They’re flexible goals though, that grow and change and get revised as the year progresses. They’re written with motivation in mind.
Good luck in the New Year Kerryn! And I hope you enjoyed your trip to Germany.
Thanks Sadie! You’re right about goals needing to be flexible. It’s difficult to map out a plan over the year when so much can change in a week or a month or even a day.
Germany was great fun. I’ll post some inspirational pictures from the trip at some point.
Now that sounds like much more fun. Positive!