So with all the hype, why are more and more companies are airing their “Super Bowl” ads before the game?  It’s kind of like reading the last chapter of the book first, or reading the answers to the crossword puzzle before you even start.  Is it just me, or does it take all the excitement out of it?  I am a huge football fan, some would even say fanatic, but this is the one and only time I really look forward to the commercials.  Knowing that so many have already aired, I am kind of disappointed.  Guess I’ll just have to sit back and watch the game and use commercial time for a potty break, drink refill and a chance to grab a bite to eat

Did you make a New Year’s resolution? If not, there’s still time—after all, the year’s still “new” until you remember to stop dating things 2011, which for me always takes a month or two.  Anyways, why is it that we feel compelled to come up with a list of “resolutions” only when the New Year begins.  Shouldn’t we aim to improve ourselves or set great expectations throughout the year?  I have a short list of resolutions/expectations that I am setting for myself this year.

Organization
It’s funny how I can so easily help others with this task but seem to fail at it when it comes to my own stuff.  As with most things I put other people’s needs ahead of my own.  Well this year, it’s all about me.  Now I don’t mean this in a rude or arrogant way.  In many ways, I have “let myself go” for awhile now.  Anything above my basic needs (food and shelter) I have put off and have focused my energy on someone or something else.  I think this happens when you become a mom, “you” are no longer the most important thing in your life and you turn all of your attention onto others.  I have decided that this year, my focus is to become more organized in life from everything to weekly meal planning, organizing my business, personal time, etc.  This should allow me time and opportunity to focus on “me” for once and for all, right?  I used to love to do some of the simple things in life but not being “organized” has left me little to no time for myself.  I don’t know about you but running around like a chicken with its head cut off gets kind of tiring!  I can’t tell you when the last time I read a book, actually read articles in a magazine, watched an entire TV show without a laptop on my lap or just did nothing for the sake of doing nothing.  These are all things I used to enjoy but now I feel like if I do nothing for even one minute I feel like I am wasting time and should be doing one of the million things on my to do list.  I have lost the ability to relax and take time to smell the roses.  So one of my goals for this year is to find my ability to get organized, find some “me” time and sit back, relax and enjoy life to the fullest.  Who’s with me?!?!

1 a week
I don’t know about you but the sheer thought of dieting seems about as exciting as a trip to the dentist.  It always seems like a lost cause and after I set an unattainable weight loss goal, I get discouraged and give up practically before I even get started.  Well this year I am going to put it in a different perspective.  Instead of saying or thinking I need to lose 50 lbs this year, I need to lose one pound a week.  Now that seems doable doesn’t it?  50 pounds seems like a HUGE amount but yet 1 pound a week seems like nothing.  Not to mention there are 52 weeks in the year so if I do reach my goal I am 2 pounds ahead of where I wanted to be – woo hoo!

Prioritizing
I made the huge leap of faith 8 years ago to leave corporate and work with my husband in our own business and haven’t looked back since, not even once.  There is something very empowering about being your own boss.  I will admit though, it’s not for everyone.  I never thought I could do it.  The sheer thought of the concept of working at home to me meant hours of watching talk shows, and doing whatever I want, whenever I want and squeeze a little work in here or there.  It’s not like you are punching a time clock or anything, right?  Ha!  That couldn’t be farther from the truth!  You have to be self motivated, if you don’t work your business no one else if going to.  With that being said, you can’t let your business work you either.  One of my goals this year is to prioritize more and set realistic timeframes and expectations.  Just because I “can” work at night doesn’t mean I should or at least not every night!  How else am I going to meet goal #1 above and squeeze in some “me” time.  I also need to prioritize my projects, by adopting the first in, first out rule.  I tend to do the small quick projects before I start on the more time consuming ones and sometimes that’s just not right or fair.

Before you take a look at the big picture make sure you take time to focus, and that is just what I’ve done.  I didn’t blurt out a bunch of resolutions on Jan. 1^st to for the sake of doing it.  I actually put some thought into what I would realistically like to accomplish this year, above and beyond the “usual”.  There is no time like the present to get started, whatever the day may be.

Whatever your great expectations or resolutions are for 2012, I hope you experience the growth and personal development you are looking for.