"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 seven 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 2009-2010 I Resolve To . . . profiled 12 Resolutionistas, with more to come in 2012! To view a complete list of their interview responses, please click through the list below:
- I Resolve To® . . . Resolutionista Profile: Kentucky Playwright, Trish Ayers
- I Resolve To® . . . Resolutionista Profile: Stephanie O'Dea - San Francisco Bay Area Mom, Author, Blogger, And Slow-Cookerer
- I Resolve To® . . . Resolutionista Profile: Jan Beaver Coad - Seattle Area Educator, Multi-Media Artist & Author
- I Resolve To® . . . Resolutionista Profile: Lisa Orgler, Iowa Artist, Designer And Creator Of 'The Lunchbox Project'
- I Resolve To® . . . Resolutionista Profile: A.F. Reinhart - Indiana Freelance Artist & Writer
- I Resolve To® . . . Resolutionista Profile: Robert Maurer, Ph.D. - Santa Monica, California Clinical Psychologist & Organizational Consultant
- I Resolve To® . . . Resolutionista Profile: Hal Summers - La Quinta, California's Hike Every Day Guy
- I Resolve To® . . . Resolutionista Profile: Virginia Teacher, Artist & Writer Betsy DiJulio
- I Resolve To® . . . Resolutionista Profile: Nashville Graphic Artist & Creative Consultant, Amanda Wyler
- I Resolve To® . . . Resolutionista Profile: Montclair, New Jersey Writer, Laurie Lico Albanese
In 2010, three Resolutionistas agreed to take the I Resolve To . . . Challenge: 365 Resolutions For Health & Happiness. They built their year-long gameplan around their own personal dreams, resolutions, goals, and 'Daily Resolves'. They reported monthly, or every other month, on their achievements, obstacles and lessons learned. It was an interesting journey . . . have a look below at their ups and downs, obstacles, and most importantly their hard won victories.
I met Trish Ayers in 2009 in 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. Trish is a wonderful essayist, workshop presenter and an award winning poet and playwright from Kentucky. She originated and leads the Kentucky Women Playwrights' Seminar, which twice has been funded by the Kentucky Foundation For Women. Her plays explore social issues such as breast cancer and have been presented throughout the United States and Japan, including venues such as Live Girls, Hedgerow Theater, Iowa State University, Western Illinois University, and Berea College in Kentucky.
Jan Beaver Coad, like Trish, is a member of the official I Resolve To . . . Group at Gather.Com. 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 was made 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 on a boat!
September-October Challenge Report
November-December Challenge Report
I met A.F. 'Angela' Reinhart at Gather.Com and she is a member of my Gather.Com I Resolve To . . . Group. Angela, a writer-artist, creates fabulous fine art and commercial illustrations (I fell in love with her painted gourds, they're so colorful and creative!). She also writes children's stories and instructional articles. Her career goals include being a published author and illustrator for children, teens and adult literature. Her current work involves murals, decorative painting, teaching art and providing instructional tutorials.
She has been featured in the Summer All Media Exhibition with Upstream People Gallery online. She placed third in the American Gourd Society's Decorative Painting Contest (Winter 2008) and third place in The Gourd Magazine - Patriotic-Themed Gourd Contest (Summer 2009). In 2008 she was an on-call designer for The Artist's Club out of Vancouver - her work included the 'Love Of Spring' Welcome Sign Instructional Project, which was well received through several of the Club's catalogues. Closer to home, in the Midwest, 2009 marks her third year to teach art through the Purdue Extension Homemakers Club. Her most recent work includes a new children's story 'Bumbling Blackbird And Clumsy Crow', as well as custom art pieces.
November/December Challenge Report
In closing for now, I am so happy that Angela, Jan and Trish participated in the I Resolve To . . . Challenge in 2010! Their insights were inspiring throughout 2010. Please drop by and have a look at what the I Resolve To . . . Resolutionistas are up to!
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! Make Every Day New Year's Day. Make Every Day Count. Visit My Resolution Shop Hosted By CafePress.Com By Clicking The Link Below:
Official I Resolve To . . . Store
Official I Resolve To . . . Promise
Official Daily Resolve Merchandise
Official I Resolve To . . . Worksheet
2009-2018 I Resolve To . . . Challenge Photo-Resolutions (AKA Daily Resolves)
COPYRIGHT © KIM M. SIMPSON, I RESOLVE TO® . . . INC. * ALL RIGHTS RESERVED