My 2013 New Year’s Resolutions are a commitment to a variety of projects. I decided this year to embody the real meaning of resolutions. I recently shared that resolutions are a commitment, an individual makes to a project or reforming a habit. 2013 is the beginning of change!
2012 was a tough year! I started to make changes in December and will continue into the New Year. I always felt that waiting for a particular date to start something was an excuse and nothing has changed. I have been monitoring the changes I made and like what I see. I am setting new priorities and viewing many of my former resolutions differently. This time next year will either confirm my changes were good or I will be making more changes. I plan to monitor my progress closer and adjust more often. Progress is never a straight line.
My 2013 New Year’s Resolutions are the following:
Volunteering – Since I am already volunteering, why am I continuing to keep it as a resolution? The easy answer is I want to stay committed to volunteering and I wan to build on what I started. I am motivated because it is fulfilling and I feel valued. I want to increase my commitment to this (feeding homeless) organization and add other organizations. I am keeping it on my 2013 New Year’s Resolutions to keep myself accountable.
Blogging – I have been blogging for over two years and I am still evolving. I learned what works and what doesn’t! I started to make changes in December and I am committed to making more to reach my goals. I used to focus on results and thought that was enough. I decided to change my focus and let the writing achieve the results. I am making a new commitment to writing better and longer articles. Stay tuned for more changes.
Time Off – Normally, this probably is not a resolution for most people. I am one of those people who never takes time off. In twelve (12) years, I have only taken two or three days off. As a teacher, I do not feel I need much time off. I have more holidays and vacation time than I ever had before. I only work four and a half hours a day. Compared to my former profession, I am semi-retired! I used to work three times that or fifty-to sixty hours a week. Normally, my wife and I take nice vacations overseas every other yea or visit relatives in New York. This year, we went away to the beach for a weekend and I am committed to do this a couple times a year.
What’s left? – I am still working on some of my former goals, but approaching them differently. My new teaching assignment has challenged me as well. This is probably the year of change. I think it is a good thing because it keeps me sharp. This is important as I get old(er)!
These are my 2013 New Year’s Resolutions! I did not give up on old resolutions and I will include any progress on those when appropriate. Failure only occurs when you actually give up. My 2013 New Year’s Resolutions are my new beginning.
Photo by: Sean MacEntee
Carnivals:
Yakezie Carnival at Your Personal Finance Pro
Carnival of Financial Planning at CultOfMoney
Carn. of Financial Camaraderie at My University Money
Y and T’s Weekend Ramblings at Young and Thrifty
Carnival of MoneyPros at Good Financial Cents
My 2013 New Year’s Resolutions are my new beginning.
Great resolutions. I need to start volunteering. I feel bad that I am just always saying that and not actually doing!
Thanks, just start with once and add to it. I am only committing to a few hours a month for now.
I love the volunteering goal. I too seek to prioritize giving back. I’m excited about a Habitat for Humanity Build I’m working on later in the month. Have a wonderful new year.
Thanks, I am starting small, but expect to add to it over the year. Happy and Healthy New Year to you too.
When you get an offer or ask for a raise, employers always like to tell you that your compensation package extends beyond your salary and includes your benefits and time off. So, I’ve always made it a point to take the time off that is provided. You’d never take a paycheck and give it back to the employer, but if you’re letting the time go unused it’s the same thing. Unless you get paid for unused time, but I’ve never had that as an option.
One of the perks of teaching (in my district) is I can accumulate sick time and use it as credit for retirement. When I retire in 5 years, I will have almost enough for a year’s credit. My entrepreneur parents instilled a work ethic in me that does not take time off. My plan is to go away much more in 2013 to just relax.
Doing weekend getaways is a great way to rebuild your energy throughout the year.
Thanks, the value of a couple days away exceeds the minor cost. I think I will really enjoy that change!
Great resolutions. I’ve been wanting to volunteer more for a while and definitely need to implement taking more time off. We run our own business and it’s easy to allow the work/life balance to be thrown off. We want to spend more time with our kids and unplug more often.
Thanks, when my children were small we would do mini trips or day trips. I think they are some of my b est memories/experiences.
These are great resolutions. I haven’t really sat down and written mine out, but volunteering is on my list. I want to give more of myself to things I feel passionate about. I noticed Barb mentioned Habitat for Humanity. I might need to look into this organization. 🙂
Thanks, I am starting small and adding to it over the year. Most organizations are looking for staffing an event or just a few hours a week/month.
You are right: progress is never a straight line.
Great New Year’s Resolutions. Looking forward to your “longer” posts!
Thanks, I love to avoid some of the curves though!
Volunteering is something I’ve wanted to do for a while now. When I was in youth group at my church it’s something I spent a great deal of time doing and helped my sense of being. It’s definitely a great resolution.
Thanks, I started small and plan on adding more during the year.
2012 was tough for me too. Here’s to a better 2013! And thanks for being such a regular visitor to my blog.
You’re welcome, it is mutual! Ditto for 2013!
My goal on writing is very similar to your’s. I’m focusing on writing longer, more in depth articles, instead of just making sure I post everyday. I dropped a Friday article from my schedule to balance work and life.
Quality trumps almost everything else! I am planning more quality for 2013.
Congrats on making it past your 2 year blog’versary! I like your list of goals and that you keep it focused and simple. I hope you get to take those trips to the beach this year. I wouldn’t be sane without my vacation days. They’re not always easy to schedule and plan out, but they’re oh so worth it in the end!
Even one weekend away is more than I currently do. I still take vacations, but a couple weekends away would be nice. The beach helps to rejuvenate me. I think it is the sound of the ocean.
Those all sound like good and attainable resolutions! Happy 2013!
I decided to take a different approach this year. I’ll see if it works or not.
Good luck with the resolutions for 2013, Krant. And if there is anything I can do just give me a shout – will be next you you in a moment!
Thanks, I changed my approach and expect a different result. Although I appreciate the support, I am trying to build a bigger audience. It would help if they had an Alexa toolbar too.
Great list Krant. I like how balanced it is. I am big on volunteering too. It is a big part of my life and I am always trying to find ways to keep it up.
Thanks! Although I am starting small with just a few hours a month, it is leading to more opportunities.
So glad 2012 is over and I can feel like I’m getting a fresh start with a new year. Great list of resolutions! I’m working on the blog writing thing myself and trying to improve my writing. It’s hard but I want to ignore results and figure out what works and what doesn’t with my writing. Getting feedback and improving what I do is my top priority.
Good luck with your goals. This year is going to rock!
I agree, I am looking forward to 2013 too! I have always made changes when I did not achieve the results I wanted and this is no different. I accomplished alot, but not as much as I wanted.
Take some time off! I believe you’ve earned that after 12 years. Great goals and resolutions, I look forward to seeing you accomplish them in 2013!
Thanks, I look forward to it too! 2013 is a year of change for me and I will keep changing until I achieve my goals.
I feel like I can say this because I’m married to a teacher. Many of the ones I know complain, all the time, about their jobs. (Not my husband, he actually really likes being in education) I know it’s hard work, limited resources, and the pay isn’t good. I do think the pay scale for someone with two Master’s degrees is abysmal, but it really falls on deaf ears for those of us who work year round, don’t have good benefits, etc. Do you think you’d feel this way if this had been your career from the start or did your former life give you the perspective to see it differently?
Absolutely! It helps that I went into teaching late in life. I achieved all my success and “wealth” in my prior careers so money was less of an issue. I knew when I went into teaching there were certain things I just needed to accept, one of which is less money. I love about 95% of my job. The 5% I do not like are the things where I have no control such as the district, administration or budgets. I run a strict classroom and have a reputation of getting things done. For the most part, they let me do my job without interference. The last few years of budget cuts, furlough days and losing my teaching assignment really shook my world.
Two or three days off in 12 years??? You need to not only take *a* vacation, you need to take the trip of a lifetime! I think you’ve more than earned it.
Thanks, but I only work roughly 180 days (school calendar) a year! I only teach 3 classes of 90 minutes a day too. That is about 810 hours per year versus 2,600-3,120 hours when I was an employee! My wife and I routinely take vacations and every other year we go overseas. Compared to my former careers, I am semi-retired! I used to work
I guess your resolutions are all achievable. With exact determination, you will surely be productive for the year ahead. I wish you good luck.
Thanks, I consider myself a very determined person. I think the changes I made will have some positive impact on the numbers too.
Volunteering is a good one! I use to participate in multiple events a year, but then I met my fiance. We’ve talked about it but nothing really materialized. I’m definitely adding it to my list. When you’re lucky, you’ve gotta pay it forward!
I started volunteering this past summer and I am certainly getting a lot out of it. I am adding additional time slowly so I am not overwhelmed.
I’m with Andrew. Volunteering seems like something where you’re giving to someone else…but it usually ends up that you get a ton more out of it than you gave.
Absolutely! When I finish the few hours volunteering, I feel great. It just makes you feel so good. It is one of the reasons I will add more hours.
My resolutions include a healthy balance of work and time off. Even a two day getaway to a nearby town is a good break from the ordinary mundane schedule. Volunteering is one way my husband and I keep it down to earth – we serve breakfast at a food kitchen downtown -very rewarding.
Volunteering has changed how I think about giving back. I used to think a check was the same, but it isn’t! Contributing time is a completely different level. Much more rewarding as you say.
Keep up the great work blogging this year!
My goals probably seem typical, all related to health, finances, and family!
Thanks, I am just making a commitment to volunteering, blogging and time off versus a certain goal.
A great list. Keep up the good work! I know that volunteering has been very rewarding in my experience. Work on that “time off” one…you can’t rewind the clock later on.
I wanted to volunteer for years, last year was my first commitment. I think the time off has been delayed way too long. A couple weekends away this year would be a nice start!