by Kim Simpson
Member since:
January 13, 2007

I Resolve To . . . 'Step Up The Pace For Summer Resolution Chat' - Tuesday, May 19 - 8:00 To 9:00 P.M. (ET)

May 05, 2009 12:27 AM EDT (Updated: May 05, 2009 06:48 PM EDT)
views: 139 | comments: 144

The April 22 Spring Spring Resolution Chat proved to be lively and fun for attendees.  Thank you to Jennifer Hodge, for Co-Hosting.  These chats are wonderful opportunities for folks so share resolution accomplishments and obstacles, give and seek support, and learn new tips and ideas, so we've decided to hold monthly chats.

Join I Resolve To . . . Group members for a 'Step Up The Pace For Summer Resolution Chat ' on Tuesday, May 19, from 8:00 to 9:00 P.M. (ET) (in an effort to enable more folks from the west and midwest to participate).  The chat will be hosted by me and Jennifer Hodge.  Come toot your horn a little bit about what has worked for you, what you have achieved, and what you would love to achieve in the next six months.  If you have run into obstacles, we want to hear about them.  If you are looking for Gather buddies to team up with, let's roll up our sleeves and get to work - brainstorm some new strategies and meet some new friends with whom we can share the journey.  Just showing up is half the battle!  If you haven't joined I Resolve To . . . at Gather, do so today by clicking this link:  I Resolve To . . . Group at Gather.

In the meantime, if you're looking for a way to get the ball rolling with some fresh daily 'resolves' consider the I Resolve To . . .  Challenge:  365 Resolutions For Health & Happiness.  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.  Here are four inspirational videos that I created that chronicle my own adventures with daily resolutions . . . Keep us posted on how you are doing with your resolutions!

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: 144

Trish A. May 5, 2009, 1:02am EDT
This sounds good!
Mary Standard May 5, 2009, 1:11am EDT
This sounds very interesting to me!!! =0)
Tim T. May 5, 2009, 2:30am EDT
Kim: This is good...10 Tim
Patty Mayonaise May 5, 2009, 2:58am EDT
great
MrElf 1961 May 5, 2009, 3:29am EDT
ok, well, I only have 1 resolution. to get my charity off the ground in 2009.
Marie L. May 7, 2009, 6:46pm EDT
Sounds great!
Jan C. May 9, 2009, 8:13pm EDT
I'll try to be there! 8-9 might be better for me (5-6pm my time) Kiddos should be home from sports practices by then :)

Looking forward to it Kim ... I should have some great stuff to report by then!
Claudia B. May 10, 2009, 8:18pm EDT
Thanks for the advance notice..I won't be able to participate in the whole chat because of the time difference.
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 7:38pm EDT
Hello folks - I'll be back shortly before 8:00 P.M. - Looking forward to the chat! :)
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 7:51pm EDT
I think I'm the first one here . . .
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 7:59pm EDT
Good evening!
Jennifer Hodge May 19, 2009, 7:59pm EDT
Hi Kim, I just made it! Looking forward to our chat tonight.
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:00pm EDT
Me too . . . so what are you lookin to do next?
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:01pm EDT
Changing jobs can be a lot of work, but it's also exciting . . .
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:01pm EDT
Hey Trish :)
Susan B. May 19, 2009, 8:01pm EDT
Hi Kim - I'm here :)
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:01pm EDT
Any new exciting news with your play?
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:02pm EDT
Hey Susan - glad you could make it :)
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:02pm EDT
Since the last chat I'm excited that I found out a way to organize my beading supplies. The best part is I moved them to the front porch so not only are they all neatly housed in an old time picnic basket on the porch and I get to soak up good sunlight which helps add vitamin D to my bones.
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:03pm EDT
I'm waiting to hear about LUMPs being done at a local University next year. It's a busy time at the colleges so I don't expect an answer for a few weeks.
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:03pm EDT
That's great . . . I've been trying to get outside more now that spring is here. My recent blood test showed that my 'D' is normal again . . . my doctor has been great about checking.
Jennifer Hodge May 19, 2009, 8:03pm EDT
I am looking to embark on a new life in terms of my professional and personal life. And after our chat last month, I know that I need to do it in small increments.
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:03pm EDT
WoW - which university, that would be wonderful.
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:04pm EDT
Jennifer, if you're making professional and personal changes all at once, that's major - but you're smart to do it in small increments.
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:04pm EDT
Jennifer, you have captured my attention. Please share more if you feel inclined.
Jennifer Hodge May 19, 2009, 8:04pm EDT
Hi Trish! Hi Susan! Trish, I can't imagine how much organization that must have taken. I bet there were a lot of beads!
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:05pm EDT
Are you planning a move also?
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:05pm EDT
It's Eastern University in Kentucky. The student theatre organization may take it on as a service project.
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:06pm EDT
We have two writers here tonight . . .
Susan B. May 19, 2009, 8:06pm EDT
organizing is good Trish! I have scrapbooking supplies that threaten to overtake the extra bedroom
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:06pm EDT
That's exciting news Trish . . .
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:07pm EDT
Yes, there were lots of beads! It feels good to finally have a home for them. Now they aren't spread all over the front room. I can sit in a comfortable chair (after I push my dog out) and play with the beads. The sunlight makes it fun to work with them. I have several light catchers hanging up on the porch as incentive.
Jennifer Hodge May 19, 2009, 8:07pm EDT
Trish, It was just time to move on in all areas of my life, and after the first shock wave of "oh, my god, what am I going to do now," I am very excited at all the possibilities that lie before me.
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:08pm EDT
Kim, I'm working on the questions you sent me.
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:08pm EDT
While we wait for a few others to join in . . . I thought we might focus on near-term goals - I've been sorting through my resolutions to come up with a plan for the summmer. Anyone have any big goals that they would love to tackle the next three months?
Susan B. May 19, 2009, 8:09pm EDT
It's not the easiest time to be job hunting Jennifer. Both my husband and son have been pursuing work for months
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:10pm EDT
That's great Trish - I really appreicate your help. I'm starting a new column on my blog at IResolveTo.Com - I'm profiling people who are pursuing their passions, in an effort to help others to 'get moving' on their own dreams. Trish is my first 'Special Guest' later this month. I'll share the column at Gather, also.
Jennifer Hodge May 19, 2009, 8:10pm EDT
Trish, that's wonderful. I was an English and creative writing major in college and the best part of it was a drama foreign study program in London where I saw over 30 productions and studied playwriting. I later worked for six years at a performing arts center, which was a great chapter in my life.

I applaud you for going after your dreams.
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:10pm EDT
I have a number of big goals:

1.) Declutter our front room
2.) Submit LUMPs to a number of publishers
3.) Lose 20 lbs.
4.) Create notebooks with edited writing so they will be easy to access for future entries
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:11pm EDT
Jennifer, I bet you have a couple of plays in you.
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:12pm EDT
That's a great list of goals, Trish - and seem doable if spread over a period of several months. Sounds like you have a plan for the summer.
Susan B. May 19, 2009, 8:12pm EDT
It's a real possibility that we'll have to move by the end of the year and I'd like to use summertime to sell/give a bunch of our stuff that we don't want to move - this is causing me a real headache
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:13pm EDT
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the project, or you don't want to part with your belongings, Susan?
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:14pm EDT
One of my 2009 projects has been to de-clutter my house room-by-room and get everything organized. My office was the first project and I'm really pleased with it. I'm moving on to my bedroom and closets this weekend :)
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:15pm EDT
Susan, it sounds like you have a big project ahead of you. I'm trying to make progress one day at a time. For instance today we found out from our daughters that neither of them wanted the treddle (sp?) sewing machine which was my husband's great grandmother. We offered it to a friend who is a costumer and both girls are excited so this week it will find a new home.
Susan B. May 19, 2009, 8:15pm EDT
I don't mind partng with stuff. It's just a lot of work to sort through and then decide what will go where or how to get rid of it in the best way financially with the least hassle
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:16pm EDT
Jennifer have you come up with a a gameplan? I agree, change can be exciting, though a bit scary at the outset.
Jennifer Hodge May 19, 2009, 8:16pm EDT
My list for the summer is:
-clear out my storage unit
-clean my car (I park it ina garage and never look inside it. It is a Diet Coke graveyard)
-oh yeah, find a job
-organize my apartment and get rid of the things I haven't used
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:17pm EDT
Jennifer, isn't funny how the universe can lead you down paths you never expected?
Jennifer Hodge May 19, 2009, 8:18pm EDT
Trish, that is great. If you can find someone who will love and take care of a piece that has meant so much to you, but that you no longer use, that is wonderful.
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:18pm EDT
Jennifer, I love your description, "Diet Coke graveyard".
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:19pm EDT
It sounds like a big project. I was feeling overwhelmed last fall when I decided to tackle my house, garage, shed and office. I finally just sat down and made a list of all the projects, and have been tackling them one-by-one. It's too daunting when you look at the house as a whole. Cleaning is one thing, but going through stuff and giving it away or selling is a much bigger process.

Trish, weren't you working on giving one thing away each week?
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:20pm EDT
Sounds like your car may take the better part of the upcoming holiday weekend, Jennifer :) Hang in there, lol
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:21pm EDT
I'm curious - is anyone working on any goal that started out as a New Year Resolution?
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:21pm EDT
Kim, you have a good memory. My health kind of crashed so I started going through my magazines and every day got rid of more than one. It's more work than it sounds like because I cut out things for my life-dream collages that I work on through-out the year. I've made real progress.
Susan B. May 19, 2009, 8:21pm EDT
ha! there's a book out about throwing out 50 things - I think the book might be the first to go :) - just kidding
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:23pm EDT
That's great that you found a use for your magazines. I have all of my old magazines stacked in the garage and they're going to Friends Of The Library this summer. That was one of my first 2009 de-clutter projects. I have more old magazines than I care to admit.
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:23pm EDT
Too funny Susan!

Kim, I'm still working on losing weight. I've lost 15 pounds since the first of the year. I still have more to let go of.
Jennifer Hodge May 19, 2009, 8:23pm EDT
Trish, about the path, I am a believer. When I graduated from college, I had a foot operation and moved to New York City without a job. After sending out 149 resumes and interviewing with an orthopedic booty, I ended up getting offered a job at my favorite magazine, "The New Yorker." It took a lot of blood, sweat, and many tears, but I did it.

And it took me 9 years to graduate from college. I worked full time and took one class at a time. Getting my diploma was the best feeling in the world.
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:24pm EDT
Wow, you worked at the New Yorker, that's an honor - it's one of my favorite magazines, as well. Are you interested writing again for a magazine or freelancing?
Susan B. May 19, 2009, 8:24pm EDT
I'm a packrat/reuser/recycler and I can always think of a reason to keep things (except my husband's things! I'm not emotionally attached...really...at least I don't think so, but I get in a rut. We have boxes of mags. I used to make collages, but that ended up not being productive for me.
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:25pm EDT
Jennifer, wow! Working for "The New Yorker" is a nice side-line. Congratulations on getting your diploma too.
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:26pm EDT
Walking will definitely help with the weight Trish - Since doing the Breast Cancer 3-Day last year and training for the 60 mile walk I am a real convert to walking for exercise. It is so relaxing and it does help to lose, maintain weight, as well as tone muscles. Keep up the walking, I think it will really help with the last pounds.
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:26pm EDT
The collages help me visualize my goals. They also allow me to work toward my goals when I don't have the energy to write.
Susan B. May 19, 2009, 8:27pm EDT
Jennifer - it sounds like you could easiily write a book - about your experiences if nothing else. I love reading other peoples' life stories
Jennifer Hodge May 19, 2009, 8:27pm EDT
Kim, Working at The New Yorker was an incredible experience. I am looking for a job right now, but have the option to do freelance writing part time. We'll see what happens.
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:28pm EDT
I'm the same Susan, I hate to throw things out and tend to keep things until they're worn out including my car. I agree you can get into a rut - that's one of the reasons I decided to tackle my house this year. It's like a fresh breeze is blowing through the windows. Susan, maybe you need to get on a roll, or find a rhythm to the process. I find that once I start seeing progress and enjoying the fruits of my labors that I get more excited and motivated about projects like de-cluttering.
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:28pm EDT
Kim, my husband and I walked to the Arts Council yesterday. I had it easy, he was carrying a rather large birdhouse for an exhibit. I was just walking. It felt nice.
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:29pm EDT
I bet the New Yorker was fabulous! That's a wonderful line on your resume.
Jennifer Hodge May 19, 2009, 8:29pm EDT
Ha ha Susan. My life isn't that interesting. But some of the stories I could tell are definitely TMZ and Page Six material. But I'm not that type of person to spill those stories. They will go with me to my grave.
Susan B. May 19, 2009, 8:29pm EDT
Trish - I'm sure they help! I just ended up playing" and not accomplishing anything. It was kind of a planning to plan actvity for me. I'm hopeless.

I wish I could walk. I used o walk a lot. My lymph-edema keeps me sitting with my leg propped up or it swells more.
Jennifer Hodge May 19, 2009, 8:32pm EDT
Congrats on the weight loss Trish. Keep it up. I actually recently dropped four sizes from just exercising (no, not really exercising physically), but exercising portion control. When I'm full, I stop eating. If I'm at a restaurant, I get a to-go container and I have another meal.
Susan B. May 19, 2009, 8:32pm EDT
Kim - one of my problems is that after I get myself motivated I have to enlist the aid of my husband to do a lot of the physical parts and he can procrastinate even worse than me
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:32pm EDT
I'm funny about getting rid of things too. Usually it comes from thinking I might use it later. What I'm finding once I organize is that I have lots of duplicates, like 4 containers of Elmer's glue. I would buy some every fall when it went on sale for school. Now, I know I have plenty for several years.
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:34pm EDT
Susan, I completely understand! I get on a roll and then zap my body protests. That's why I started working on getting rid of magazines during the spring storms. I'm finding my husband sees my progress and is more willing to jump in.
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:34pm EDT
That sounds painful Susan, sorry to hear that. It probably makes the organization project tough . . . but nothing is hopeless. I really believe that taking small steps helps when you're working on a project, especially one as big as tackling a house organization project. Do you have anyone to help?
Susan B. May 19, 2009, 8:35pm EDT
Oh Trish! I just know we're going to unearth a gazillion rolls of tape when start organizing. We can never find it when we need it and buy more
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:36pm EDT
Susan, I find if I work on one little area for 15 minutes a day I do see progress. I don't always do it 15 minutes in a row. Sometimes I work during commercials.
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:37pm EDT
That would drive me crazy too. I get frustrated when I procrastinate. I know how you feel. I have client project that I can't complete until other participants give me their input and they procrastinate, as well. It can be maddening because you feel no sense of control. Does it help to give your husband small projects with deadlines? Sometimes, I entice my colleagues with rewards, that doesn't always work with family members.
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:38pm EDT
It is amazing what you find when you are organizing :)
Ashley M. May 19, 2009, 8:38pm EDT
Hi, everyone! I'm going to catch up real fast. :)
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:38pm EDT
Jennifer - were you exercising when you were watching portions?
Jennifer Hodge May 19, 2009, 8:38pm EDT
Commercials are a great time to do a 4-5 minute task like emptying the dish washer or dusting or cleaning. I also put on my ipod to do tasks. Good music with a kick a** beat is a great motivator.
Susan B. May 19, 2009, 8:38pm EDT
Kim - actually I'm not in pain, but I just can't move around like I used to. My left arm and hand got paralyzed by the effects of the lymph-edema so anything I do is one handed. Which can be humorous to watch :)
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:39pm EDT
Hey Ashley - glad you could make it! How are you?
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:39pm EDT
It's a hard one Susan. I'm sure your husband does quite a lot around the house and you hate to ask more.
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:40pm EDT
Hi Ashley!
Jennifer Hodge May 19, 2009, 8:40pm EDT
Kim, can you tell us a little more about what you do? Do people come to you and ask you to help them organize their lives? Do you visit them at home and offer tips on how they can better manage their day to day?
Ashley M. May 19, 2009, 8:40pm EDT
I'm doing good today, Kim!
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:41pm EDT
Got it - if I had to operate with one hand, I'm sure it would look funny too. Do you try to tackle any of the projects in small increments, like the 15-minute projects that Trish suggested?
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:41pm EDT
Great questions Jennifer.
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:41pm EDT
I agree Jennifer about the small tasks :)
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:42pm EDT
Good idea about the music also.
Kim Simpson May 19, 2009, 8:42pm EDT
Ashley, how are your work outs going? Your last report sounded like you were making some real break throughs . . .
Susan B. May 19, 2009, 8:42pm EDT
My husband smells manipulation a mile away :) He can be all gung ho when he wants, but he does so much for me that I can read it in his face when I ask for help with another project. He feels like he doesn't have any control of his life when I ask, because face it, he's all I've got. I've gotten kinda of isolated by this being housebound stuff :)
Jennifer Hodge May 19, 2009, 8:43pm EDT
Kim, to be truthful, I was incredibly athletic throughout my childhood and part of high school, but since then have fallen into the pit of joining gyms and never going. So no, I do not exercise on a regular, if at all,basis. My dad is always on my case about this.
Susan B. May 19, 2009, 8:43pm EDT
Trish! You nailed it on the head! :)
Trish A. May 19, 2009, 8:45pm EDT
Susan, I can relate. For over 10 years I pretty much spent the bulk of my time in a recliner. It's a challenge. Maybe if you can find one small thing per day to work on your husband will see that you're trying to make progress. It's tough being so dependent.
Jennifer Hodge May 19, 2009, 8:46pm EDT
Susan, as a single person looking for a job, I know isolation. That is one of my resolutions. I need to get up in the morning and have a schedule for myself. Otherwise, I would go crazy.
Ashley M. May 19, 2009, 8:46pm EDT
Excuse the absence, my overgrown child nee