Resolutions - Part 1

Usually I don't make resolutions.  It is just a set up for failure and I don't like to fail.  Normally I give myself a year long to-do list with only a few items on it so that it is simple to check everything off and I feel good about myself for completing everything.

In 2009 I had two goals: buy a larger home and pass the NCIDQ.  I did both and  I felt like the year was a success.

In 2010 I had a few more: start my own home organization/design business, get pregnant, write a will, start a savings account for Claire.  I only completed the last one and this makes me feel like 2010 was a complete failure.

In all fairness last year was a rough year for me.  It involved a lot of changes that I wasn't prepared for (quiting my job, becoming a stay at home mom, learning how to live on one income, etc.).  I'm a control freak and I hate not knowing what is going to happen in the future so I have had to do a lot of adjusting these past few months.

I recently finished reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  I really enjoyed it and decided that I would try something similar to see if I can bring more happiness into my life.  The concept of happiness is something that I have often struggled with because it seems selfish and I have issues with doing things for myself.  Don't get me wrong, I have a pretty good life but sometimes I forget to appreciate what I have and I would like to change that.

My goal for January is to work on my energy.  I need more sleep than the average person, at least 9 hours, so I will be trying to go to bed earlier.  Also, I hate exercising but it always makes me feel better and puts me in a better mood.  A better mood would definitely make me and everyone else around me happier and I'm hoping that it will also help with my patience.  Finally, I have hit that age where that 10 lbs doesn't come off quite as easy so I'm hoping that the exercise thing will help with that too.  I'm pretty confident that I can do this since my hubby is an exercise feign and will guilt me into doing it even if I don't want to.  I've also made a chart so that I can give myself gold stars (yes, I bought star stickers you can laugh if you want).  I need the visual, so shoot me.

I have a different goal set for each month and they will all be geared toward finding more happiness.

So tell me, have you set and goals or resolutions for the new year?  What are they?  How do you plan to make sure you succeed?  Or are you one of those who says forget it, I've got better things to do?