Reading is one of my favorite pastimes. Alas, it is a pastime that has taken a backseat in recent years, thanks to my writing and photography projects, IResolveTo.Com, my business, an
d a myriad of other daily responsibilities and activities. There is only so much you can cram into one 24-hour day and I am well aware of my limitations and the threat of burnout. So, I am not going to set an unrealistic reading resolution that calls for more books than I can possibly finish in 2009 (I already have stacks of un-read magazines that are on my 'To Do List'). Instead I will make a realistic promise to increase my reading by a reasonable number of books. In 2008 I read a half dozen books for pleasure (I read an endless amount of news and non-fiction stories on-line, in magazines, as well as books for work, but far fewer recreational books). It's time to spice up my routine. In 2009 I plan to double my 2008 rate of recreational reading.
I intend to 'Read A Good Book', (finishing at least one each month), as part of my I Resolve To . . . Challenge: 365 Resolutions For Health & Happiness. Why not join me? The objective is very simple: Do at least one thing each and every day to promote health and happiness for 'YOU'. Banish the 'Someday, Someday, Someday Syndrome'. Instead, make every day New Year's Day. Make every day count. The list of possibilities is infinite and can be tailored to your own dreams, resolutions and daily goals. If you need some help - a little nudge, a bit of inspiration, tips, advice, and news about the best ways to make resolutions a reality - please use IResolveTo.Com and the I Resolve To . . . Group at Gather as two of your resources. Resolve365 in 2009.
In January I finished reading Michael Crichton's, NEXT and I am currently reading a book about happiness, 'Happiness - The Science Behind Your Smile', written by Daniel Nettle and published in 2006 by Oxford Press (and reviewed on Amazon.Com by the Scientific American). I think it is time to go through my book stacks and choose some priorities for the rest of the year. Ernest Hemingway is among my favorite authors, maybe it is time to pull one of his gems off the shelves. I am also due for a trip to Borders and I plan to visit my sister's wonderful book blog, A Work In Progress, for some fresh ideas. A staffer at a University Library, my sister provides wonderful news and reviews about books, along with 'reading list' ideas (similar to my effort to watch all 80 Academy Award-winning 'Best Picture' category films during the past year).
As I plot my reading course, I plan to keep in mind that one of the most effective ways to achieve a resolution is to make a decision to 'go for it', define specifically what you want to do, develop a plan, and 'do it daily'. With that in mind I intend to prioritize my 2009 reading (in a realistic way) and make a point to read every night before bed, which is my favorite time of day to curl up with a good book!
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!
Kim Simpson, a former journalist, provides communications, fundraising services and strategic planning, for Members of Congress, non-profit organizations, corporations, and associations in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. A self-employed entrepreneur, with more than 30 years of experience, she launched IResolveTo.Com in 2005 in an effort to help others to achieve their New Year Resolutions, Dreams and Goals. Get your daily dose of inspiration at: http://www.iresolveto.com - As added incentive, why not make and keep your New Year Resolution by wearing it? Drop by: http://www.cafepress.com/iresolveto
This article is Copyright © Kim M. Simpson, I Resolve To, Inc. * All Rights Reserved.
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Comments: 9
My most recent book for pleasure was the new Maisie Dobbs mystery, Among the Mad. Jacqueline Winspear writes these books and they are a great combination of criminal psychology, historical fiction (they are set in London between the two World Wars), and intrigue. With tax time ever closer...I might not pick up another one until April 16th though. I always hold out since I have to pay at the end of year. :)
I won this book off of Gather back last year and then some when I became ill. I had promised a review to win, and after finally locating it in a box that the children had packed for me before taking me up to the hospital, I can do just that when finished..Fits right in with some of my resolutions, which I can now share with you, my mentor concerning that matter..If you get the chance, invest in it..Thanks for this post..Great ideas for us from you, and I know we will get nothing less..Reading for me must be like what riding in a car is for a dog, moving without really doing it themselves.. Just like magic..Have a beautiful day and week-end.. God Bless, Ellen B
I do agree with what you say about resolutions. I am a procrastinator. I do find the more depressed I get, the worse the procrastination becomes. I need to force myself to set goals and achieve them. Thanks for a good article.
Based on a lot of the responses that I have been reading about my resolutions, the biggest battle that we all face is not enought time. I need to noodle that one a little more. I work to set priorities and build reasonable plans around my resolutions, which does work . . . but I still have not figured out how to increase the number of hours in a day! I guess having too much to do is a good thing, otherwise life would be boring :)
Enjoy your weekend, ladies . . .