GROW

Resolutions never seem to work with my perfectionistic and idealistic personality 'cause I always bite off more than I can chew and then get overwhelmed and feel like a failure when I can't keep them. So I've come up with an alternative plan. I've decided to GROW towards my bigger goals, and take things in bite-sized pieces.

GROW = Get Real On Wednesday... meaning Wednesday is the day I'll use to check up on myself and take inventory of how I'm doing in growing in various areas of my life.

The way it works is, I'm making lists of activities and/or small goals that will help me grow in each of the categories I want to work on, and then I'll pick at least one small thing from the list to do. That way I'm actively and purposefully working my ultimate goals (I.E. growing into a more godly woman, or growing in my relationships with friends) but I'm not trying to accomplish the whole goal in one week. :-)

The general categories are:
GROW in my spiritual life
GROW in my relationships with my family
GROW in my relationships with my friends
GROW in homemaking skills
GROW in physical well-being
GROW in being a godly woman/wife
GROW in personal development

Broken down to bite-sized pieces it looks like this:

GROW in my spiritual life
~Continue reading through the Bible
~Pray for specific needs in my own life or the lives of my friends/family
~Do an in-depth study of a specific passage/chapter/book
~Fast - whether food, media, or something else
~Read a chapter in a Christian classic

GROW in my relationships with my family
~Write a note
~Make a phone call
~Invite someone over for tea/coffee/lunch
~Go on an outing
~Give a gift (time, energy, etc - it doesn't have to cost money)

GROW in my relationships with my friends
~Write a note
~Make a phone call
~Invite someone over for tea/coffee/lunch
~Go on an outing
~Give a gift (time, energy, babysitting, etc - it doesn't have to cost money)

GROW in homemaking skills
~Try a new recipe
~Learn to knit
~Make something useful and/or beautiful for home (crochet, sew, paint, etc)
~Clean out and organize a shelf/cupboard/closet that is usually neglected
~Read a chapter in a book about natural cleaning agents or health remedies
~Grow an herb or two
~Research local and organic options for food

GROW in physical well-being
~Read a chapter about nutrition, or eating healthy
~Do stretching exercises
~Walk a mile or two
~Research a natural/healthy remedy for a health issue

GROW in being a godly woman/wife
~Read a chapter in a Christian woman growing book
~Study the life of a woman in the Bible
~Talk to someone I admire/respect about living life as a Christian woman/wife
~Close my mouth when I want to say something sarcastic
~Say something kind and/or encouraging
~Memorize a verse or passage of Scripture

GROW in personal development
~Read a chapter in a book about a topic or person I don't know much about
~Watch a travel video
~Practice the piano
~Play a song by ear
~Organize my purse
~Make a list or chart that will help me focus on my tasks or goals

C'mon 2010! I'm ready to tackle you - with God's strength!