The Procrastinator's New Year's Resolutions

The New Year has come and gone. We are already February. Well people, it is now time for me to make some New Year's resolutions. I don't usually like to make resolutions. They are just another thing for me to add to my list, worry about, not achieve and then remove from my list with that twinge of failure. This year, I'm basing my resolutions on the things that I've already started that are making me feel pretty incredible. We'll go from there.

1) Re-organize my office to make it more efficient. If I can actually reach my printers, there is a much higher chance that I will be able to turn-around a stationery order in a reasonable amount of time. If I can't even find the printer, I may as well go back to bed. I chose to make printer-hiding virtually impossible by moving it out of my general line-of-dumping-crap reach. It is now on the other side of my office. I have cleaned up enough (thanks to some very generous hubby help) that you can actually SEE my floor. I was able to vacuum without fear of sucking up things unknown. This may seem simple to some born-organized people out there, but for me, it is worthy of shedding some tears of joy.

2) Create a consistent work schedule. I have been trying to do this for years. Working from home definitely has its advantages, but the BIGGEST disadvantage (by far) is the ability to procrastinate at a much higher degree of efficiency than virtually any other job. Also, people don't always appreciate that you actually work. Friends call (I don't have to answer, but I always do. I love my friends), coffee or lunch dates are set (I don't get to hang out with co-workers and I NEED people!), house cleaning needs to get done (hee hee! funny.), and errands need to get run. I just need to set work hours and house hours and stick to them. I've already started with this and it feels good when it works out. Eventually, I will get to my final resolution:

3) Exercise 3 to 5 times a week. It doesn't need to be for an hour. I don't want to set a weight goal. I just want to get exercise into my daily routine. I want to look forward to it (I'm always the dreamer), and I want to feel like crap on the days that I don't exercise. Not that I want to feel like crap. I just want to WANT TO do it. Whenever I get excited about exercising, it lasts, at most, 2 weeks before it evaporates. I want exercise to be an ingrained part of my brain. Is that so much to ask??

I have to say, over the years I have found some amazing sites and tools to help me along on these resolutions - they tend to be the same goals every year, month, week,...

Flylady is one of my favourite kick-you-in-the-ass-and-annoy-you-until-you-get-it-done-with-a-smile-on-your-face website. She e-mails you constantly with a little "project" that you should do. Anything can be done in 15 minutes at a time according to her - and she really makes you see that it can be true. If you listen.

Sparkpeople is another one I love. Their goal is very much in line with my 3rd goal - they want you to move. They don't care how hard, how fast, how long - as long as you get your sneakers on and your heart rate up. Oh. And they want you to eat better too. And be a better friend. No. Really. You get points for helping to motivate other online Sparkpeople "friends". It's like Weight Watchers. But with a better online setup and community. And did I mention that it's free?

Finally, you should all know, I have a dream. One day, when my house is clutter-free, and I'm warming up to run a marathon, laundry all folded and away, dishes dried and sink all shiny, supper ready for when the kids come home from school,....

I can't finish this. I'm laughing so hard that tears are running down my face.

I am who I am.

I just wish that someone else took care of all the housework.