Friday Fun: Resolutions Retrospective

[zack]

It's that time again where we all make grand plans on how this year will be different. We've even had threads about it before, and posts about how to best tackle your resolutions.

It's good to look forward, but sometimes it can be just as valuable to look back. So, what I'm curious about is how your 2018 Resolutions panned out as we wrapped up the year last week. Good? Bad? Somewhere in-between?

For me, one of my main goals for 2018 was to read more. I set my goal at 18 books for the year. I only made it to 15, so while technically I failed, I still read more than I have in years! This year I'm recommitting to the reading goal, and shooting for 19. I think I can do it!

So, how did you do? And how will it inform your resolutions for this year?

[Deleted user]

Hope you get to number 19 @zack.

My resolution is to get two certifications; PMP and CSM.

Get certified in Confluence Administration.

Help users on the Atlassian community more 🙂

thanks 

[Deleted user]

My goal for 2018 was to find a position with a good company that could give me a challenge and where I would make a difference.  I'm delighted with the result.

My goal for 2019 is to find something positive in all circumstances.  I injured my knee just before Christmas and was in a wheelchair during the holidays.  As the New Year began, I found it very positive regarding how supportive friends, family and work colleagues were and how accommodating everyone was.  =)

[Andy - PTC Redundant]

What a bummer @[deleted] but... with a new job and all that support, everything sounds awesome and positive. Good for you!

[Deleted user]

I'm surrounded by great people.  Now THAT's a blessing.

[Andy - PTC Redundant]

In 2017 I stopped making new year's resolutions and started a Great Moment Jar... all the great moments that happened written on small bits of paper and placed in a jar to read at the end of the year to remind me how awesome the year was and awesome the next one is gonna be.

In Autumn of 2018 it turned into a little notebook.... so for 2019 I will just keep writing down all my Great Moments 😍📝

[Deleted user]

That's a great idea!  

[Danny Zuccaro]

I tried the same thing for 2018 Andy! Sadly I tailed off towards the end of the year but it was wonderful this week opening the jar and going through the moments I had in my jar. 

I've started another one for 2019 and I hope to be more diligent in updating it daily.

[Andy - PTC Redundant]

That is awesome @Danny Zuccaro ! I don't come across many great-moment-jar accomplices so that is great to hear! 
Have fun with your 2019 one ! !

Here is one of my favourite and relevant GIFs to help keep you inspired throughout the year:

[carolyn french]

Hi @zack- I also had a resolution to read at least 1 book/month for 2019 in categories like Biography or History that I don't typically pick up for a quick read. It was a fun resolution and didn't seem like a burden since I love reading. Maybe I just needed the goal in order to prioritize more time consuming reads. Either way, it's working!

How are you choosing the books on your list to read?

[zack]

I have a bad habit of buying books, and then not reading them. So for now, I'm strictly choosing from my own Kindle library. I have a hard time finding fiction that hooks me, so I'm always on the hunt for that.

This year, I'm following along with A Year of War and Peace. It's one chapter of War and Peace per day, everyday, for the year. The daily discussion threads have been fun to follow along with so far!

[carolyn french]

Super cool sub reddit- thanks for sharing! In a similar vein I'm following along with a Goodreads group on Middlemarch for the first 3 months of the year. It helps to break up these classics into smaller pieces and share with a group. The group is sponsored by the library so they are having a party in the middle of March (sadly I won't be able to attend, but it sure is creative!)

I've been borrowing ebooks on my kindle from the public library to prevent myself from going crazy on the purchasing books front. So far, it's great because I feel no guilt if I don't get to the book before it auto-returns. I just check it out again or get back on the list.

[Jodi LeBlanc]

I did the Unravel Your Year workbook by Susannah Conway the last few years and it focuses on that restrospective component. I found instead of having big resolutions these past few years I focused on forming healthy habits. I had read that it takes 21 days to make a habit and 90 days to have it part of your lifestyle and this way they were much easier to maintain - one day at a time.