Random though on goals for the new year

**Valerie in WA** · 12-17-2005, 12:47 PM

This is the time of year when we all plan the wonderful things we hope to accomplish next year. And by about January 21st, we're completely burned out and abandon it all.

But seriously, I was thinking about this, and I thought that perhaps I would set monthly goals for the new year. For example in January, I would form or break one habit. And in February, I would maintain that one and work on a second. And a third in March.

This would probably only work for the record-keeping types, but I hope it might help somebody.

**Telephus44** · 12-17-2005, 02:07 PM

Good idea! Flylady did this on her site last year, and I will admit that I didn't really try it. I'll have to think about the 12 goals that I want to accomplish next year.

**baxjul** · 12-17-2005, 02:28 PM

That sounds like something that I could do! I'll have to think of 12 things to try!

**Jasmine** · 12-17-2005, 04:44 PM

That's a good idea! Maybe we could do a thread every month for accountability. I could definitely come up with 12 habits I either want to get into or break next year.

**Lucky Star** · 12-20-2005, 03:01 PM

Great idea! It's more manageable and, I believe, more effective to focus on just 1 goal at a time. It is difficult to work on several things at the same time, and easy to become frustrated. But with just one important goal to focus on, you can actually accomplish it! I might try and do one in every area of my life (e.g. one at work, one for finances, one at home, one for my health, etc.).

There is a 21 day rule, which says that for anything that you want to change, it takes 21 days of doing it for a new habit to develop. So if you can stick to something for 21 days, you're much more likely to stick with it for the long term. So this plan would definitely be consistent with that.

Great idea, Valerie!

**thrifty gal** · 12-20-2005, 03:03 PM

I think that's a really good idea. Thanks for sharing.

**suesue** · 12-20-2005, 08:34 PM

I'd like to give this a try, too. Anyone have their list ready?

**Mojjo** · 12-20-2005, 09:21 PM

I think this would be great....I tend to try to change too much at once and then give up...sign me up for 1 at a time.

**Valerie in WA** · 12-20-2005, 10:37 PM

I like the idea of a monthly accountability thread. Would it go under "Goalgetters" or is that for peoples' goals toward their dreams?

**Scattymum** · 12-21-2005, 03:21 AM

Great idea!

**nodmicks** · 12-21-2005, 08:14 AM

I've got two major goals to achieve. Sounds like a great idea!

**Lucky Star** · 12-21-2005, 12:14 PM

Valerie - I think we can have a monthly thread here just for the frugal/budget living/savings goals. That way it will be easier to track and share related tips in one place! The Goalgetters would be great for other types of goals.

I already put a list of my frugal goals for the year in a separate thread, but I haven't figured out yet how to break them down by month (although I have a pretty good idea for the first couple of months!)

**Valerie in WA** · 12-21-2005, 01:35 PM

Well everybody keep thinking about it and I'll plan on starting a thread on Jan 2nd ( I work on the 1st).

If you have more comments, or just want to say you're in, please feel free to continue to post to this thread.