The Resolutions -- Part II

image via By Its Own Design (from a beautiful book that Honora made!)

Alright, time for the next three of my six 2011 Resolutions... Here goes:


#4 -- Get Smart.

I mentioned in my looking back post that most of last year's worst moments occurred when I wasn't trying hard enough (or trying at all)...when I was well, sort of "phoning it in". It's hard friends, I'm not going to lie -- I feel like I spend most of my time doing three differently things at once, all of them shittily. (I know, I know...but it's a good word, yes?)

So part of the "doing less" this year is an attempt to be better at what I am doing, being smarter, more focused. (I love this article via Abbey about not letting all of the little constant distractions {like that ever pinging blackberry} prevent you from doing the really great things.)

I want to be a better listener (because that's when you're really learning), I want to dive into a few things and get really good at them, I want to "specialize" a little more and "generalize" a little less. I also want to make it a priority to read more. I'm rarely happier than when I'm reading, and I read an abysmal number of books last year...

Here are a four specific goals I hope to meet in 2011 to get my learn on:

• Read 15 books (doesn't seem like a huge number but oh so much bigger than last year's total)
• Finally Learn how to (really) use my camera and seriously hone my photography skills
• Learn Photoshop or Illustrator.
• Become a geography rock star (Every time Audrey asks me where a country is I have to tell her to ask Bryan...sad.)

completely killer bookshelf image via Quiero

#5 -- Practice Gratitude.

I think one of the most genius ideas of 2010 was Chelsea's pact not to complain for a week. So simple and lovely, yet it somehow seemed revolutionary to me. I mean really, do I want to go through life boring people with complaints of how busy/tired/hot (think the entire month of August) I am??

I think, for me, the best way to curb the complaining is to amp-up the gratitude. I want to spend a few minutes of every. single. day. of 2011 pausing in gratitude, reveling in it.

I have a good life. I need to acknowledge that more.

image via my lovely mary ruffle...


#6 -- Court Fear.

So I saved the hardest one for last...

I'm not so much of a risk-taker. I tend to play it safe...almost always. I read this quote on Abby's blog a few months ago, and it's constantly rattling around in my head:

"Any idea that makes us nervous or scared that it won't happen, we know we're onto something"

Usually when an idea makes me nervous or scared I sort of mentally abandon it and go the low-risk route instead. It's sad, (and frankly a little embarrassing to admit) but true. And in the past year, I've met and become friends with several amazing ladies who are risk-takers...they own their own businesses, they jump at new opportunities, they're fearless (or at least they seem fearless, which is important in and of itself). It's inspiring.

I want to court fear more in 2011. And honestly I'm not exactly sure what that means or how to do it, but I'm not scared, so that's something...

Tree Man poster (yes, I am afraid of heights) via the amazing Debbie Carlos...