IMPROVEMENT BEGINS WITH A #HAPPYNEWYEAR #THELETTERI

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HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Way back in 2011, I shared some ways to set achievable goals for the new year on howdoesshe.com.
Since they seemed to work out pretty good for me last year, 

I'm giving it another shot.

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(I created a FREE, little, printable packet that you can use too! Click HERE to get it!)

Instead of the using the packet (that I eventually misplaced last year) I'm listing mine here. I guess I have this crazy idea that if I put them out there...then I'll make more of an effort to do it! Let's hope that's the case! 

So, I have brainstormed, categorized, organized, and simplified my goals for 2012...and here they are. Don't laugh. ;)

Personal

• This next year I'm going to give people the benefit of the doubt. 
• I'm going to think positive thoughts by focusing on the accomplishments and efforts of myself and others, not our weaknesses. 
• I'm going to put things away after I use them this next year, even if it means the dishes. I know the importance of making a house a home and how cleanliness is next to Godliness...and that didn't all come from studying Interior Design in school. Mostly from experience. ;)
• I'm going to take more pictures of the daily things that make me happy. 
• I'm going to record live's adventures more often (hopefully that means more blog posts!)

Physical

• When it comes to dieting this year, my focus is going to be on this little saying: "Eat a little less. Move a little more." ...while focusing on doing a little better each day. No crazy ideas like no sweets or white flour. (Except for soda. That stuff is gone for good! I only had a couple drinks in 2011 and they weren't worth it at all...mostly gave me tummy aches.)
• I want to focus on making each day a little better than the previous day and not get discouraged.
• I want so badly to become a morning person so I'm going to be trying some of THESE ideas. I'll let ya know how they work.
• I'm also adding to this category some beauty resolutions. I need to take better care of my skin. I'm going to be a quarter of a century this year...gotta start sometime. (Most of the resolutions I have I found  at The Beauty Department. There are some awesome ideas...I highly recommend you read them!)

Spiritual

• This next year I want to strengthen my relationship with my Savior. There are many ways to do this, but the one I'm looking forward to most is by studying his life and his teachings through the scriptures, prayer, and modern day words of the prophets. 
• I also want to seek daily to recognize and record the little tender mercies that come from above. Not sure how I want to record them yet. Maybe in a journal, day planner, here?

Financial

• Shop Smarter
• Spend Less
• Save for a rainy day

(gotta keep this one as simple as possible)

Work/Social

Work hard and play hard. 

• I really want get better at organizing my time. 
• I want to be able to focus on getting my work done during the days so I will be better able to leave it alone and enjoy the evenings and weekends with my family.

My overall goal this year is live each day to the fullest by using my time wisely so I am able to have the time and energy to become the person that I want to be! I know that by simplifying and focusing on the most important things in life, I will be more able to recognize the little daily blessings.

Good luck to you and your efforts in 2012! Let's make it the best year of our lives! Wahooooo!