I have a lot of things on my "to do" list for 2013. So, how will 2013 be different than the past? I have to dig deeply and find a focus. I have to make myself do things I'm more apt to put off. Studying for the MAT cannot wait, piano cannot wait, my finances cannot wait. My fitness routine cannot wait. Not only can these areas of my life not wait, I can no longer afford to allow them to wait. The time is now, and the need is great. Travel with me, if you will, as I outline my plan. A senior manager at a company I once worked for always said "To plan the work, and work the plan." It's now imperative that I take that maxim and fully integrate it into my life.
Grad School: I want to teach. That's the only childhood dream I have not fulfilled. My goal is to take the entrance exam this spring to be ready to begin an alternative master's in education this fall. My goal is to focus on English education with an emphasis in grammar and composition (language arts). To do this, I must focus on studying my preparation manual. I'm certain that just incorporating a few minutes a day will be helpful, and on days when I am able, making the most of my time and spending as much time studying as possible is something on which I must now diligently focus.
Piano: While playing the piano is my biggest passion in life, I must admit that practicing is not always my favorite thing to do. Yet, when I am focused on it, the results are quite remarkable. I'll admit, I am doing better in this area since the beginning of the year. I've spent time doing basic some exercises to strengthen my fingers as well as revisiting some old repertorire and looking at a few new pieces. I have a wedding I'm playing for in a few months, and I want to be on the top of my game for this event. At this point I'm attempting to practice at least 30 minutes a day. Usually when I actually DO sit down and practice, I exceed that time frame. Amazing how doing something you WANT to be doing can have such a positive result.
Finances: While I don't have mountains of debt, I have more than I am comfortable with. I want to do all I can to eliminate as much debt as possible in as little time as possible. While I'd love a sugar daddy to come along and say "Ok, I'll take care of all of that for you." I know realistically, that ain't about to happen. As in most areas of my life, when I give it my focus, I achieve great results. I will be sitting down in the next few days and doing the difficult task of looking at finances and creating a budget (something I actually enjoy doing) and then proceed with creating a plan towards financial peace, or some semblance thereof.
Gym: Oh, the gym. I must admit my love/hate relationship with this most necessary of places. Getting there is the hard part. With my wacked up work schedule, I have trouble getting up in the morning to go to the gym on a regular basis. It seems no matter how hard I try, getting to the gym is just not an easy task for me in the mornings I enjoyed the routine when I worked a regular 8-5 shift, it was easy to go on the way home from work. Now, working a schedule where I get off work at 9:00 gives me no time to work out. At most, I have 30 minutes by the time I get to the gym if I go after work, because the gym closes at 10:00. Certainly there are other options, like doing things at home, finding a 24 hour gym, and so on, but I like where I go, it's just the showing up. That is, after all, half the battle. Lately, I haven't even had the energy or motivation to go to yoga on Sunday afternoons. That has to change. It's time to create a plan of attack.
Here's my confession: Now I know what I need to do, it's just up to me to actually sit down and do the things that HAVE to be done. Nothing is going to just magically happen. It's going to take effort-a lot of effort in some cases-on my part to make things happen. I'll hopefully be able to use this blog, these confessions to keep me on track and honest. I do know that when I put my mind into something I can succeed. So, academically, musically, fiancially and healthily the plan and decisions lie in the hands of one person. Me. I'm the one in the driver's seat. I'm the one in control. These aren't so much "resolutions" as hey are 'new year's goals". That sounds a lot more attainable and doesn't seem as likely to set up myself for failure.
So, I started out with the question "How will 2013 be different?" The answer: 2013 will be different because I will be different. I'm the man in the mirror asking himself to change his ways for the better. 2013, get ready. Two weeks have passed, but we can make up the time. With my focus and your kindness, we can make a difference. Partners? Why, yes. Yes, indeed.
No comments:
Post a Comment