2011 was an amazing year for me. I'm still fully coming into realization and acceptance as to how great of a year it was. In no particular order, I got promoted at work where I am now handling larger-sized Enterprise-level accounts in a very interesting industry, got engaged to a great guy, moved to a new house and was able to finally be debt-free (except for mortgages) with a nice lump sum payment on my Subaru. I paid off the financing on my car 2 years in advance! I'm not a car fanatic and picked the most solid car I could find a few years back and I know I'm driving her for at the very least, 7 more years, hehe.
My family is also great with the addition of a little bundle of joy who just (and I always choke up when I say this..) is the most special little person ever. I swear, despite the crankiness that comes with babyhood (new term? lol), she's just so perfect. I love her to bits and I can't give her enough kisses when I'm with her, hehe! Full disclosure, I stalk my sister-in-law's Flickr account multiple times a day, lol!
With that, 2012 is just some hours away and it's time to make new goals! I've given up on setting "New Year's resolutions" because I always break them anyways and hence, goals are more appropriate. I find that my habits are set and resolutions are meant to change them in such a abrupt way just because of the advent of the new year. I'd rather slowly ease myself into a new routine, rationalize as to why, and then move forward. It's the Care way! :)
Goals are EXTREMELY important IMO. I can't imagine doing something without a goal. It's totally necessary and I really believe in it. As Buddha (among other beliefs) has one time stated:
(Photo courtesy of http://thesecret.tv/wallpaper-and-pdfs.html). Side note, if you need a kick in the butt, read "The Secret")
I've divided mine into three different categories and for the most part, follows the S.M.A.R.T. way of setting goals (again, in no particular order).
Personal Development:
1) Go to hot yoga 3x/ week. -- Although I realize hot yoga has its physical benefits, I actually love going because it calms my mind and feeds my soul.
2) Read 6 biographies of inspiring human beings within the year. -- This year, I finished Buffett (Shroeder), Einstein (Isaacson) and Jobs (Isaacson). To be honest, I'm struggling to find non-biased biographies and Isaacson needs to write more, hehe. Just saying! I obviously love his books. If anyone has suggestions, please do share!
3) Be vegetarian 1x/ week.
4) Sweat for at least 45 minutes every single day. -- Running with Ninja, Yoga, WiiFit, Just Dance, whatever! Lol. Fitness is definitely top of mind.
5) Volunteer 1 hour/ week or cumulatively, 52 hours during the year.
6) Talk or FaceTime with family 1 hour/ week. -- They give me strength and keep me grounded.
7) Allocate 1 hour/ day for blogging, taking pictures, creating something. -- I need this to nourish my soul.
Professional:
1) Overachieve every single quarter and be 125% over annual number.
2) Make 20% more of what I made this year $$-wise.
3) Mentor someone deserving of an opportunity and help him/ her succeed.
Daily Affirmations:
1) Don't let toxic people in my life. -- I started practicing this towards the end of this year and it was amazing.
2) Appreciate everything.
3) Do one good thing daily. -- Simple things count.
Financial:
1) No shopping for clothing items until July 1, 2012. Clothing includes shoes, tops, bottoms, dresses, bags, anything to that nature. -- I simply have too much and I can shop in my own closet.
2) Save 45% of my income and put towards savings (RRSPs and TFSA), wedding, and travels.
That's pretty much it! I know that it seems like a long list but most of them are activities I have to do daily in order for me to achieve my goals.
Cheers to the new year!
XO,
Care
Cost: To be determined still.. :)
Tools Used: Started this post in Chrome, ended it in Safari, Blogger, Google to source some pictures lol
