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Too many books!

Posted on January 7, 2024 | 2 comments

So how are those new year’s resolutions working out for you? How did you do with keeping them last year?

Statistics show that about 1/3 of all adults in the US make resolutions. Statistics also show that 23% will give up their resolutions after the first week. And only 8% will keep them all year. I think I read that bit last year which may have influenced my list of resolutions that I made this year.

Actually, I prefer to call them goals. That sounds like something to aim for, not just I resolve to do such and such this year. Maybe that’s splitting hairs but whatever works, I always say.

Unfortunately, as with most people, I tend to want to fix everything at the same time. Lose weight, get more exercise, eat better, etc. We all know how that goes. I find better results if I stick with fewer goals than to tackle too many at once.

One of my goals last year was to not buy any books. That doesn’t make the top ten in resolutions, but is certainly needs consideration in my case. I have a wide range of interests and love books of all kinds. But…they do take up a good amount of room. And they’re heavy, very heavy if you have to move. Also, they’re visible proof of where I spend my money. New clothes? Nah. New books? Oh, yes, please!

Most of the books that I buy are non-fiction. I always justify my purchases in that they are actually reference materials, I can learn something from them, I might need to know this stuff later. What if the internet goes down and I’m left with only my personal library? You can recognize a true addict by the excuses they make. I even buy a lot of used books, many times for such low prices that I can’t pass up the good deal. (See what I mean?)

So, I’m mostly proud to say that I stuck with my goal to not buy any books last year. At least until July when I had a little melt down when I took my granddaughter to the bookstore. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t read; I just resisted buying the books. I’m fortunate that I have a fairly good library system which supports my reading habit. Also, I’ve made very good use of the two electronic systems that they belong to where I can borrow nearly anything from books to music, videos to movies. Too much, actually.

But back to the no buying book resolution, er, umm, goal. I got back on the wagon…mostly. I did have a few slip-ups with buying some used books online. Although I’m very proud to report that I went into the local bookstore to shop for Christmas presents for others and did NOT buy a single book for myself. That wouldn’t have happened in the previous years. Magazines don’t count, do they?

So how did you do with your resolutions last year? I did manage to add more fruits and veggies to my diet. And walked more (with the help of the dog.) Cleaned out a few attics but not all of them. Some of the other goals are being recycled for 2024. No sense in getting crazy about improvements, is there? We’ll just see what I can stick with this year. I haven’t given up ice cream yet.

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Posted in books, opinion

Tagged books, bookstores, goals, kit miracle, resolutions, self-improvement

Your One Thing

Posted on January 6, 2019 | Comments Off

How are you doing with those New Year’s resolutions? Already feeling a bit overwhelmed? Maybe fell off the wagon already? I’ll go on my diet when all these sweets are out of the house. That big work project is hanging over my head; I can’t stop smoking now. I promise that NEXT YEAR I’ll set up a budget for holiday shopping. Any of these sound familiar? Or something similar, I’m sure.

I always get weird looks from people when I tell them that my favorite day of the year is New Years. Not for the sports (although I live with someone to whom those are pretty important.) No, it’s my favorite day of the year because it portends new beginnings, new opportunities, a fresh slate. Possibilities!

Over the years, I’ve gotten pretty good at planning. My job as Director of a performing and multi-discipline arts center required planning out eighteen months to two years. I set up a spreadsheet with upcoming events and tasks in all the major areas: administrative, fund-raising, performing arts, visual arts, educational, special events, etc.

I would check the list every month, update as necessary, and set up my weekly schedule – also in categories. Long term goals were guided by our five year plan and updated as needed.

When I retired a couple of years ago, I decided to put my energy back into painting. I’ve been a professional artist since the early 80’s but had limited time to give when I was working full time (although I never gave it up, always managing to fit in 15 or so hours a week). Now that I didn’t have any excuses for not giving my best, what exactly did I envision for my next stage art career?

The first several months I floundered about. I fooled around, did some art, but not with any real focus. My question to self was, how do I apply everything I’ve learned and practiced for the past couple of decades in the arts business to my art business?

Then in December 2017, I picked up a book from the library that impressed me so much that I had to order my own copy. I’m a business and marketing book junkie, btw, but I was really fired up by this book. It is called The One Thing by Gary Keller.

The One Thing by Gary Keller

The main premise is to focus on one thing. The focusing question is:

What’s the ONE THING I can do

such that by doing it

everything else will be made easier or unnecessary?

There is more in the book to help the reader find and focus on his/her One Thing, but that is the main premise. The author has a number of free downloads on his website but I developed my own.

I usually focus on some personal goals as well as business goals, but inevitably I am too ambitious and can get overwhelmed. Sound familiar to you? Keller emphasizes setting up a set of goals which will cause a domino effect, i.e., do a small thing, which will lead to a bigger thing, until you finally get to your ONE BIG THING. I set weekly, monthly, one-year, five year, and someday goals, all revolving around my one big thing.

The goal I set for the year (which I’m not going to share specifically) revolved around creating and selling a certain amount of artwork. This was one BHAG (big hairy a$$ goal) and beyond anything that I’ve achieved for a very long time. It was a real stretch. The final result? I created and sold more artwork last year than I have in any single year since I had a full-time job. I came within $17 of my big, reach-for-the-stars goal. Yay! What a boost to my confidence. And, all that creating has probably improved my work as well.

So, what’s up for this year? Revised the plan from last year, tweaked a few things….and DOUBLED my goal! Heck, why not?

What are your goals for the year? What is your One Thing? What one thing, such by doing it will help make everything else easier or unnecessary?

If you’re floundering and lack direction, or lack progress, I highly urge you to get this book by Keller. Check it out of the library or snag a copy online. With over 2,500 hundred reviews, you can’t go wrong. As a caveat, I am not affiliated with Gary Keller or his organization in any way. I just really like this book and think you might, too.

The One Thing by Gary Keller

Gary Keller’s website

My personal Word doc for goals one big thing 2019 blank form