"Do you know where your New Year Resolution is?"
That is an often asked question in the days and months that follow the new year. Statistics show that the majority of resolution-makers eventually abandon their pursuits. During the past five years, as I have studied and practiced what works and what doesn't work, I have encountered scores of passionate people who do persist day-after-day. I coined the word 'Resolutionista' for these folks and the 'resolve' they patiently display: Resolutionistas make resolutions, keep resolutions and enjoy the journey! Borrowing on my years as a working journalist, I am running an inspirational series of interviews with ordinary folks who do extraordinary things. They breathe life into their dreams, resolutions and daily goals, one small step at a time, one day at a time over the long haul. Though they may statistically be in the minority of resolution-makers (the ones who succeed), I want to highlight 'what works', and give them credit for their accomplishments!
Resolutionista (rez – o – lution – ista) Noun 1. Someone who makes resolutions, keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey.
In 2010 several Resolutionistas have agreed to take the I Resolve To . . . Challenge: 365 Resolutions For Health & Happiness. They are building their year-long game plans around their own personal dreams, resolutions, goals, and Daily Resolves. Each month, they will report on their achievements, obstacles and lessons learned – Trish provides her second installment today. She deserve a whole series of 'gold stars' on her calendar for a job well done!
I met Trish Ayers in 2009 in my travels around Gather.Com, a Social Networking Site for the over 30 crowd, and also the home of my Gather I Resolve To . . . Group. Trish is a wonderful essayist, workshop presenter and an award winning poet and playwright from Kentucky. She originated and leads the Kentucky Women Playwrights' Seminar, which twice has been funded by the Kentucky Foundation For Women. Her plays explore social issues such as breast cancer and have been presented throughout the United States and Japan, including venues such as Live Girls, Hedgerow Theater, Iowa State University, Western Illinois University, and Berea College in Kentucky. [Click here to read Trish's 2009 Profile.]
Kim Simpson: Please provide highlights of your priority goals (you may have one theme with several goals, or goals that vary each month, or some other combination)?
Trish Ayers: February's Goals –
- Work on going through our 'Junk Room' and begin to turn it into a guest room/craft room.
- Submit one piece of writing.
- Lose weight and eat healthy.
- Shred paper (as a playwright, poet, essayist, I have a stack of revisions).
- Work on organizing my papers into binders.
- Begin production of a collaborative play.
- Edit one scene on new full-length play, "Taking Stock'.
Kim Simpson: How many days did you successfully achieve at least one small step toward your priority goal(s)?
Trish Ayers: It was another rough month with regards to my health, so I applaud all of the progress I have made.
Goal #1 – Work on 'Junk Room' – I worked on this at least 15 days (15 minute blocks) and we are beginning to see progress.
Goal #2 – Submit one piece of writing – I didn't actually submit one piece, but made contact with a person who is interested in seeing my plays, which I will be sending out this week.
Goal #3 – Lose weight and eat healthy – I met this goal all but one day thanks to our new habit of eating oranges as our new favorite late night snack. One night we broke down and had a small bowl of ice cream. I also had to really watch my diet because of a flare-up of blood sugar issues due to having to take Prednisone for my breathing. Thanks to this small change my weight loss continues. I have dropped 15 pounds.
Goal #4 – Shred papers – I worked on this goal about 10 days.
Goal #5 – Work on organizing my papers into binders – I spent one day working on this. I regret I was not able to meet with my friend to work on this together, but I still required it of myself to spend time on it. Later in February it paid off when I needed something and was able to go straight to a binder to find it.
Goal #6 – Begin production of collaborative play – I worked on this all but six days. The undertaking of being a producer challenged me especially with not feeling well and I am pleased to say we are right on track now. I am so thankful for my laptop which allowed me to work when I didn't have the ability to work at my desk.
Goal #7 – Edit one scene on new full-length play "Taking Stock" – I worked on this three days and I have to say I am quite pleased with the scene.
Ultimately, I achieved at least one small step toward priority goals.
Kim Simpson: What were your significant obstacles? How did you overcome the obstacles?
Trish Ayers: My breathing issues continued to plague me, so I set up my office on the couch and our coffee table. Thanks to this I was able to continue to work on my goals. There also were obstacles with the collaborative play (constant cast changes) and I kept in touch with the director and when I doubted, I visualized the actual successful production. We now have a great cast.
Kim Simpson: Were there lessons learned?
Trish Ayers: Once again small steps lead to large progress on my goals. The simple step of replacing our not so healthy night snack with an orange made a huge difference. I realized that in the next few months I want to find another unhealthy habit to address. Slow and steady progress is the answer to lifelong changes.
Kim Simpson: What is on tap for February?
Trish Ayers: Next month I will continue to focus on the same goals.
Kim Simpson: Other thoughts?
Trish Ayers: Once again, I strongly encourage people to join us on the once a month Gather.Com chat you have. I always feel inspired by the comments of others participating during the chat.
Remember: I Resolve To . . . Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year. It's your choice. Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality in five simple, common sense steps: Dare To Dream, Decide, Define, Develop A Plan, and Do It Daily. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good! Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who makes resolutions, keeps resolutions, and enjoys the journey! Let's Go For It!
Need More Inspiration? Wear Your Resolution By Visiting The I Resolve To . . . Shop At CafePress: IResolve To . . . Resolutionista Gear And By Joining The Official I Resolve To . . . Group At Gather.Com. Get going on your 2010 New Year Resolutions with the I Resolve To . . . Worksheet & Promise. View my 2009-2010 Health & Happiness Tapestry by clicking through Daily Resolve Photo-Resolutions.
Kim M. Simpson – March 10, 2010
Copyright © I Resolve To® . . . * All Rights Reserved. [Trish Ayers' Publicity Photo Copyright © Tim Webb]
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