January 6th
Everyone loves to make new years resolutions (keeping them, a different story of course). For me, the appeal behind New Years “goals” as I call them, is the chance for a clean slate. A fresh break, a new beginning. Here are some of my goals for 2012:
GIVE MORE. If it’s buying the mom in the mini-van behind me in the Starbucks line her coffee, or supporting a new cause – I don’t want to pass up opportunities to give and bless someone else.
STAY FOCUSED. During work hours, staying focused on work. When it’s not working hours, staying focused on my family. …and not feeling guilty when I’m not doing one or the other.
TAKE A LITTLE TIME FOR ME. Dear internet friends, the sad truth is when I’m writing blog posts, it’s usually in yoga pants & a tank top with spit up on it and messy hair in a bun. Don’t judge. 
I vow to take a little time to make myself feel slightly more human and less frumpy-mom-ish (a place I never thought I’d get, but I’m just keepin’ it real).
THE BIG LAUNCH. So this one is rather secretive, but next month is bringing some changes to Amanda Donaho Photography. A goal that has been awhile in the works, but to continue to see that to fruition and whole heartedly stand behind it.
Please share in the comment section one of your goals for 2012 (or more than 1!) I will pick one person at random to win a box of “take a little time for yourself” goodness from The Body Shop. I love their products, and what they stand for, so I’ll be mailing you a box of some of my favorite items from there. Drawing will be on Saturday the 7th at Noon EST. (One entry per person)
WINNER!
Congrats to Laura Blair for winning a box of goodies from The Body Shop! The resolution she shared is:
1. Register for (and train for) my first half marathon. I’ve got a long way to go considering I can only go 4 miles right now. I’m not sure if I’ll run December or next spring, but I want to have a solid 10-12 miles going by the end of the year.
2. Sell this house!!
Laura, please email me your address so I can get your box out to you! amanda@amandadonaho.com
Thanks to the random number generator for picking for me
Great goals Amanda.
I’ve been thinking of meditating more on the word of God Ps. 1 so that it will abide in me John 15. Also focusing on having a thankful heart.
It’s hard to top the goals you already listed. I think I will use those as daily inspirations/reminders for myself
I think my 2012 goal is to embrace love and get rid of negativity (I made it vague so that way it could span to many aspects of my life).
So many doubts swarm my head constantly, and I should learn to have enough love for myself to gain courage and rid myself of fears. Not just love for myself, either, but love for everyone and everything. Little things like letting the other person at the Stop sign go first, or big things like donating to a good cause like St.Jude’s or other charities every month. Shopping local to keep the money in the community. It all adds up…
To live more in the “now” and not fret so much about what may or may not happen. This is hard for a control freak like myself. I don’t want to be so buried in worrying about something that may not even happen that I miss the great things that are happening around me right *now*. I also want to be more in tune to opportunities to bless others…financially, emotionally, whatever the situation warrants.
Amanda, I LOVE your first goal for 2012. Each day we pass up opportunities to help and bless others, kudos to you for wanting to take advantage of that!
I dislike New Years Resolutions too, but it is good to produce goals. My “goal” for 2012 is to become a better photographer and take at least 1 picture every day (an instructor in college taught us this, and I have yet to attempt it.) Wish my luck!
A One of my goals is to spend less money eating out… eating out everyday for linch at work can add up very quickly and isn’t exactly the healthiest thing to do… instead of quitting cold turkey, I’ve limited myself to once per week until I can completly ween myself! Wish me luck : )
Amanda,
You are such an inspiration to so many of us and I treasure your post/blog. As a wife, mom and believe it or not grandmother to 10 along with my professional side of Life Coach and Disability Advocate I tend to put so many others 1st. My goal is to truly take some time to focus on me so that I can get in better shape and not feel guilty to take some down time. I have made a commitment to set aside some realistic workout time each week and for my work out partner to be my husband to promote staying connected with him. Thanks for always finding ways to inspire others in their dreams!
Mick
One of my goals this year is to take more time for those who’s lives are slower and more lonely than mine. I have several older people in my extended family that I want to make more time for. If it’s taking a little extra dinner over, or helping with a project or two every month.
To continue to strive to find the “balance” between work and family.
I only made one because it’s very important. To be more assertive and stand up for myself more. I think we moms are givers and pleasers and that carries into other parts of our lives and sometimes gives us a the doormat effect, unfortunately!
I started keeping a journal when I was 6 1/2. Through the years, I’ve always written and it’s gotten me through some really tough times. But, life has gotten busy, and I haven’t written in so long… So my resolution is to write – at least in my online journal, so there’s no excuses why I can’t take 10 minutes to de-frag my busy brain. Also, I’m taking a positive from Samantha from SATC and when people ask me how my day is going, no more boring “fine, good”…nope, I’m FABULOUS.
My goals for this year are
1 to be available if anyone needs help with anything, even my son and husband. Sometimes I think having a clean place and such is more important and it sure isn’t.
2 less electronic time
3 getting emmit to eat better
As simple as it seems, establish a budget and stick to it. Excited to hear your news
I actually decided that this year I would make the resolution to not make any resolutions.
Mainly because I love myself, and hate it when I manage to fail at my resolutions by mid-February. Going to just continue with my own crazy amazingness… Yay!
The most basic and simple one: stop chewing my nails.
Pretty basic…get off Facebook;)
To spend one on one, face to face time with each of my kids and hubby each day….Even if just for a little while.
My resolution is to, at least once a day when I just get mad and feel like yelling, to smile instead. So far that’s happened every single day while driving
Mine is to create a more peaceful home for my family….get rid of the clutter and non-essential activities and spend more quality time together.
my goals for 2012 include doing more stuff for myself, losing weight and trying to stay on top of the mess at home.
I really like your stay focused goal … i think that that is going to be one of my big ones, especially as I go back to work from being on maternity leave.
Be as productive as possible at work, and then leave it there, and focus on my family at home!
let’s see: one big one… see some of my bestie families (umm… yours) more often. We realized after hanging with you last month how much we miss our families hanging out together.
1. Register for (and train for) my first half marathon. I’ve got a long way to go considering I can only go 4 miles right now. I’m not sure if I’ll run December or next spring, but I want to have a solid 10-12 miles going by the end of the year.
2. Sell this house!!
I think I may finally finish up 2008′s resolution/goal: “automate in 2008.” Only running four years late on that one!
Great goals! I want to slow down and enjoying little things more this year. We get too busy to do that sometimes!
I need to journal. Just once a week…
It’s a tough one for me- to become a more patient person. I’m definitely getting some lessons already!
Amanda,
My number one goal this year is to remain strong and supportive for Tyler during his first deployment to Afghanistan. I also want to maintain the close relationships I have with family and friends during this upcoming year. One of my favorite quotes that I plan to live up completely this year is: “Live in the moment and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering!” – Fanny Crosby. Finally, I want to really make a commitment to visit some of my friends from college that I haven’t seen in a long time and laugh at the silly things in life and just forget about the worries for awhile.