That seems to be the big question right now. There seem to be as many people advising people not to make resolutions (or at least declaring that they will NOT be making resolutions) as there are sites offering advice, tips, plans, programs, etc. to make (and keep) resolutions.
For several years I was firmly planted in the anti-resolution camp, but that has changed. The last couple of years I have made resolutions with mixed success. Over the last year, I've explored different approaches to life improvement, for lack of a better expression. One thing I've realized that, at least for me, it's more about evolution than revolution. The other is the golden oldie - a goal without a plan is just a dream (not that dreams are a bad thing.)
I'm still working through this year's priorities and plans, but I thought I'd share a few of my favorite articles on the subject.
There's Martha Beck's take on goal setting: Conjuring Good Magic: How to Set Powerful Goals
Next, Lifehack's Fifty New Years Resolution Ideas and How to Achieve Them to help not only kickstart the process of choosing a goal but it's also full of tips, tricks and concrete plans on how to achieve success.
For a (slightly) different perspective, check out Christine Kane's Lose New Years Resolutions & Create Real Success in 2015. Refusing to believe resolutions and Christine's approach are mutually exclusive, I'm using both Martha Beck's goal setting approach and Christine Kane's words to map out my plan for 2015.
Or my very favorite take on resolutions, change and transformation - Erika Napoletano's New Years Resolutions Can Kiss My Lily White Ass. I'll definitely be making those two lists.
Finally, some simple, easily applied practicality to help get the ball rolling, I offer Fast Company 's Five Ways to Make Your To-Do Lists More Effective. Because sometimes, I need some very basic steps to get started and keep me from throwing up my hands and picking up the remote control.
One final note, be careful not to get so caught up in what you didn't achieve in 2014 that you disregard what you DID achieve.
I was so busy castigating myself for being in the position to make yet another "lose weight" goal, looking around the house at all the unfinished organizational projects, all the unrealized opportunities for Pup Squad and at my long-term foster dogs who I've still yet to find forever homes for, that I almost completely forgot I did make a HUGE transformation in my life last year, I changed jobs. While I did love my last job, it had become an all-consuming, exhausting, marathon-run-as-a-sprint proposal that was sucking up every moment of my waking time (and more). Despite all that, walking away from it wasn't an easy choice even though my new position is fabulous, challenging and has considerable potential for growth, not to mention it leaves me some time to do other things, including sleep. So, just for right now, I'm going to put aside the plans for what I didn't "fix"and appreciate the results of what I did.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Burial Rites
Haunting and starkly beautiful, Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, tells the story of Agnes Magnusdottir, the last person executed in Iceland.
A book review in 25 words or less....the beginning of series.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Rock of Ages - The Movie
Worst. Movie. Ever. Seriously. Worse than that awful bend-the-bullet Angelina Jolie movie, worse than Dirty Dancing Havana Nights. Worst movie ever. So much awfulness I don't even know where to begin.
For the record, I did enjoy the musical. It wasn't high-art; but it was a fun walk down memory lane and as a bonus I made a new friend who also walked Sunset Boulevard in the 80s. Win-Win.
The movie, however, GOD-AWFUL. Despite the warnings issues by everyone who reviewed it, I was still not prepared for the reality of this mess. The opening sequence bad. The collective first ten minutes were so horrific I would have walked out if I hadn't been so curious about Tom Cruise - Rock Star.
The reviewers are correct, he is the best thing about the movie, by far. Although, that's not saying much. Tom was good and maybe that is was pisses me off so much. Tom seemed to be going somewhere with his portrayal of Stacee Jaxx. There was a possibility of a decent, maybe even good movie there. But even Tom Cruise cannot fight a poorly developed (completely undeveloped) plot, caricatures instead of characters, a frantic musical mash up and choreography so bad it belonged in a spoof of the movie.
Yes, Tom Cruise makes a very convincing Rock Star and his voice sounded great. However, it is not worth subjecting yourself to the rest of this schlock.
Although, to be fair, I left before it was over. Start time changed and I had to pick the dogs up from the adoption center. Maybe it got better....but I seriously doubt it.
For the record, I did enjoy the musical. It wasn't high-art; but it was a fun walk down memory lane and as a bonus I made a new friend who also walked Sunset Boulevard in the 80s. Win-Win.
The movie, however, GOD-AWFUL. Despite the warnings issues by everyone who reviewed it, I was still not prepared for the reality of this mess. The opening sequence bad. The collective first ten minutes were so horrific I would have walked out if I hadn't been so curious about Tom Cruise - Rock Star.
The reviewers are correct, he is the best thing about the movie, by far. Although, that's not saying much. Tom was good and maybe that is was pisses me off so much. Tom seemed to be going somewhere with his portrayal of Stacee Jaxx. There was a possibility of a decent, maybe even good movie there. But even Tom Cruise cannot fight a poorly developed (completely undeveloped) plot, caricatures instead of characters, a frantic musical mash up and choreography so bad it belonged in a spoof of the movie.
Yes, Tom Cruise makes a very convincing Rock Star and his voice sounded great. However, it is not worth subjecting yourself to the rest of this schlock.
Although, to be fair, I left before it was over. Start time changed and I had to pick the dogs up from the adoption center. Maybe it got better....but I seriously doubt it.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Beware the Hyperbole
Recently, I was reading the opening of what I thought was an article in Fast Company. After re-reading the first paragraph several times trying to make sense of it, I stopped to check the byline, thinking "this is not typical Fast Company style; there is way too much hyperbole."
Ha - no buy line, but there was a subtle notice at the top "Special Advertising Section". You almost fooled me, Montreal. I might have read the "article" if you hadn't worked so hard to convince me how awesome you were in a single, convoluted sentence.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Bernie
Hysterical
Knee slapping Funny.
I am not a fan of Jack Black or the typical Jack Black movie. I have no issue with him, just not my taste in funny. This, however, is a huge exception. Hilarious, witty, sly and smart.
Based om a true story, Bernie is definitely worth seeing and quickly. While Jack Black, Shirley McClaine and Matthew McConaughey do an excellent job, the resident of Carthage, Texas, steal the show. I haven't laughed that hard in ages, this despite the fact that I was so tired all I really wanted to do was sleep.
Three thumbs up!
Knee slapping Funny.
I am not a fan of Jack Black or the typical Jack Black movie. I have no issue with him, just not my taste in funny. This, however, is a huge exception. Hilarious, witty, sly and smart.
Based om a true story, Bernie is definitely worth seeing and quickly. While Jack Black, Shirley McClaine and Matthew McConaughey do an excellent job, the resident of Carthage, Texas, steal the show. I haven't laughed that hard in ages, this despite the fact that I was so tired all I really wanted to do was sleep.
Three thumbs up!
Friday, June 1, 2012
This Means War
The DVD for This Means War came our recently. I saw it in the theater, but haven't managed to post the review, yet. Sad.
It is a great movie. Okay, maybe "Great" is a bit of an overstatement, but it was a lot of fun. I wasn't expecting much, but I really enjoyed it. Frankly, I was mostly interested in the company and of course, the pie. (Tempted out of the house by Rhonda from TheBSCafe with a movie and a trip to The House of Pies.)
Reese Witherspoon was endearing and watching her torture herself as she vacillated between the "bad boy" and the mature man was a lot more fun than it sounds. The story is actually a bit more complicated than that but there was also plenty of action to keep it (or you) from taking the story too seriously.
Chelsea Handler's married-with-kids suburbanite was almost as entertaining as the "who will she pick" main story. If you missed it in the theater, pick up the DVD or stream it, whatever. It's worth your time.
It is a great movie. Okay, maybe "Great" is a bit of an overstatement, but it was a lot of fun. I wasn't expecting much, but I really enjoyed it. Frankly, I was mostly interested in the company and of course, the pie. (Tempted out of the house by Rhonda from TheBSCafe with a movie and a trip to The House of Pies.)
Reese Witherspoon was endearing and watching her torture herself as she vacillated between the "bad boy" and the mature man was a lot more fun than it sounds. The story is actually a bit more complicated than that but there was also plenty of action to keep it (or you) from taking the story too seriously.
Chelsea Handler's married-with-kids suburbanite was almost as entertaining as the "who will she pick" main story. If you missed it in the theater, pick up the DVD or stream it, whatever. It's worth your time.
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