"Do you know where your New Year Resolution is?"
That is an often asked question in the days and months that follow the new year. Statistics show that the majority of resolution-makers eventually abandon their pursuits. During the past five years, as I have studied and practiced what works and what doesn't work, I have encountered scores of passionate people who do persist day-after-day. I coined the word 'Resolutionista' for these folks and the 'resolve' they patiently display: Resolutionistas make resolutions, keep resolutions and enjoy the journey! Borrowing on my years as a working journalist, I am running an inspirational series of interviews with ordinary folks who do extraordinary things. They breathe life into their dreams, resolutions and daily goals, one small step at a time, one day at a time over the long haul. Though they may statistically be in the minority of resolution-makers (the ones who succeed), I want to highlight 'what works', and give them credit for their accomplishments!
Resolutionista (rez - o - lution - ista) Noun 1. Someone who makes resolutions, keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey.
In 2010 several Resolutionistas have agreed to take the I Resolve To . . . Challenge: 365 Resolutions For Health & Happiness. They are building their year-long game plans around their own personal dreams, resolutions, goals, and Daily Resolves. Each month, they will report on their achievements, obstacles and lessons learned - Jan Beaver Coad provides her second installment, a report on her February progress and planning efforts. Like Trish and Angela, Jan deserves a large 'gold star' for her dedicated progress on priority goals!
I met Jan in 2009 during my travels around Gather.Com, a Social Networking Site for the over 30 crowd, and also the home of my Gather I Resolve To . . . Group. Formerly a community college instructor and administrator, she is a delightful creative soul, multi-media artist and author. Jan has Undergraduate Degrees in Respiratory Therapy and a Masters Degree in Community Health Education. She left full-time employment to pursue an art and writing career. She and her children face many obstacles, including Asperger's Syndrome, attention deficits, learning disabilities, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Tourette's Syndrome.
Jan is the author of 'Why Don't They Come With Instructions?', a collection of personal essays about a Mother's journey raising special needs children and how it lead to the creation of a non-profit organization, The Lavender Door Foundation (the book will be available in August of 2010). Jan is currently working on a memoir about the importance of setting goals and following your dreams. She and her husband, children, cat, and dog live in the Seattle, Washington area. [UPDATE: Read Jan's 2009 Year End Essay.]
Kim Simpson: Please provide highlights of your priority goals (you may have one theme with several goals, or goals that vary each month, or some other combination)?
Jan Beaver Coad: February 2010 = short month, it felt like it really flew by!
Kim Simpson: How many days did you successfully achieve at least one small step toward your priority goal(s)?
Jan Beaver Coad: I have been cooking much more and creating new recipes that will be used in my books (making and photographing them). I am closer to completion of the Seattle Farmers Market Book #1 in the new series.
I have taken steps to have my son at home = homeschooling him. No more battles with the people, or building of the school district any more! We won't tolerate the bullying, disciplining a child with a disability, etc. For now his education is most important and he has a better chance to learn from us than the horrible school district we live in.
I have been working in my yard and getting more exercise. I even purchased a pair of tennis shoes that are suppose to help "tone" (special heels that work your muscles).
I have been working on marketing plans for my upcoming book, as well as creating marketing materials.
And I have been working on plans for an auction for my nonprofit.
Kim Simpson: What were your significant obstacles? How did you overcome the obstacles?
Jan Beaver Coad: Financially we are struggling - my husband's company is trying to weather this economy and my husband's ex-wife is trying to obtain a huge, unwarranted amount from my husband. Luckily the wonderful attorney who helped with my son's battles also does family law, so we are in good hands. We are going to try to sell our home again and downsize and maybe we will end up in a state with less taxes :).
Homeschooling is taking some work! I overcome my obstacles by just taking the small steps forward and not stopping to look back. As long as I keep the focus toward goals it keeps me going. My husband and I also have a saying for each other when we can tell the other needs to hear it: "Everything is going to be alright!"
Kim Simpson: Were there lessons learned?
Jan Beaver Coad: Aristotle said, "The highest level of human nature is friendship." I learned that I have to keep my friends close and rely on them when I need them. I have a tendency to be introverted and hide from the world when overwhelmed. I have learned if I don't call my best friend every few days she is checking up on me. I need to get together with my friends.
Kim Simpson: What is on tap for April?
Jan Beaver Coad: Celebrate my 41st Birthday! Finish my Seattle Farmers Market Book #1 so it is ready for editing. Fly to San Francisco to research my next book (Yay, two weeks on my own . . .). I hope to visit 20-plus Farmers Markets and begin my search for farmers and products to showcase. I am already intrigued by a farm named "Dirty Girl Produce". Continue to work on my auction plans and nonprofit work. Walk, walk, walk - I am not renting a car in San Francisco, so I will be doing as much walking and using public transportation as possible. Continue to remind myself that, "Everything is going to be alright."
Remember: I Resolve To . . . Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year. It's your choice. Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality in five simple, common sense steps: Dare To Dream, Decide, Define, Develop A Plan, and Do It Daily. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good! Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who makes resolutions, keeps resolutions, and enjoys the journey! Let's Go For It!
Need More Inspiration? Wear Your Resolution By Visiting The I Resolve To . . . Shop At CafePress: IResolve To . . . Resolutionista Gear And By Joining The Official I Resolve To . . . Group At Gather.Com. Get going on your 2010 New Year Resolutions with the I Resolve To . . . Worksheet & Promise. View my 2009-2010 Health & Happiness Tapestry by clicking through Daily Resolve Photo-Resolutions.
Kim M. Simpson - March 12, 2010
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