Three quarters of the way through the year, it’s time to check on my new year’s resolutions:
- Start more projects, but maintain fewer. That is, bring good things into the world, but don’t overcommit.
- Become conscious of my own health and physical well-being. I’m quite healthy, but I’m not going to be in my 20s forever.
- Return to the habit of saving money. For two years I was a student, and got in the habit of only spending wisely.
I’d expected to feel like a schlub when reviewing this list this evening. It’s the first time I’ve looked at it since I wrote it. But, to my surprise, I’m really pleased.
- I’m doing OK here. I’m maintaining fewer, and I’ve stopped starting new projects that I have to maintain. But I have a whopping five new projects that I just can’t seem to get out of the door, and a big part of that is that it’s really a lot of work to set up something self-sustaining, or at least that requires minimal ongoing maintenance. These are the unnamed projects that I wrote about in June. I’m coming to the conclusion that sometimes it’s best to just launch something that’s 80% done, because 80% is better than 0%.
- Food and health has been a big change for me this year. I’ve written on the topic a bit, and thought a great deal about what I eat. I’ve generally eaten relatively healthfully by default, but now it’s a conscious effort. Locally-produced foods are my default. I buy in season. I’m more aware of how I feel and relate that to recent food or physical activity, or lack thereof. This has definitely been accomplished.
- Saving money has also been accomplished. Graduating from college in 2005 left me in debt, which I’d nearly dug out from as of January 1. Living in a newly dual-income household and having no kids does wonders for savings, as does our target of breaking ground on a home come spring. Twenty percent down, baby! No PMI!
I’m a big believer in resolutions. They’ve done wonders for me. You don’t even have to wait for the new year. You are who you decide to be. It’s time to start thinking of next year’s batch.
If you have a relative that is (or was) in the Navy or Marines, get them to refer you for an account at the Navy Federal Credit Union. http://www.navyfcu.org We were able to buy our first home with only 3% down and no PMI on a traditional 30-year fixed mortgage. Sorry if this sounds like a commercial – just a thought.
Goals for the coming year –
1. Start less, finish more.
2. Eat more vegetables and fruit.
3. Quit smoking
4. Attend Al Weed’s swearing in ceremony at the Capitol.
5. Elect Democrats locally.
6. Discipline, without which 1-5 are impossible.
I didn’t make any resolutions at the beginning of the year, so these will have to do. Forward-looking, I guess.
My grandmother was a Marine, so it seems that I’m eligible. That’s really interesting — I never would have guessed. Thanks!
Beyond making the resolution/determination, you should also visualize yourself having already succeeded and imagine how that will change things. It is a huge impact. Once you visualize the goal as attainable, the routine drudge work of getting there is a lot easier to handle and stick to.
I am still learning this stuff – and I am 42.
Way to go!
Waldo- Definitely go with Navy Federal, they’re really the best. Now, I’m not exactly in the market for a house, but for student loans, first credit cards (and everything that follows that), and the time my wallet was stolen, they’ve been nothing but fabulous.
Navy Federal won’t offer us an interest rate as low as the one Suntrust is prepared to offer us, or even close to it. Which is a shame, because they look really great in all other regards. But those percentage points represent thousands of dollars that I’d really like not to spend. :)