How’s that New Year’s Resolution Doing?

At the end of June, half of 2012 will be passed. Time to look at that New Year’s resolutions we made back in January.  Five months ago I set out to improve my personal organization skills.  While it’s technically a couple of weeks before my evaluation is due, in July I suspect I’ll be too busy to get into that left-brain frame of mind. I’ll be toting kids to any body of water, setting up the sprinkler when that’s not possible, and setting up fans when that’s not possible.  Oh and wiping popsicle sticky off of counters and ice cream drips off of car seats. And hopefully reading my favorite summer classics, like Gifts from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindberg.

But back to the resolution update. Change has happened. I’m happy to report that I have consistently performed better at keeping track of my daily and weekly schedule. My organization notebook has become an indispensable and helpful part of my daily life. I use a weekly to-do page.  I put important papers in the front pocket and have regular sections for current sport schedules, church events, kids’ activities and other recurring parts of my life. I have a system for noting phone numbers and addresses that works.

Most importantly, while I’ve had different organizational methods before, I’ve stuck to the system this year.  Not perfectly of course, but the difference is notable. I’ve hit on stuff that works for me. The rewards have been simple: peace of mind, encouragement, a boost in confidence and self-esteem.  Most gratifying has been less embarrassment from having forgotten dates, times or events!

So how are you doing with your New Year’s resolution?  Next I’m going to kick it up a notch and go for financial order. Stand by for some great information from Mary Hunt, finance columnist for Women’s Day Magazine and author of the inspiring, super practical and easy to digest book, Debt-Proof Living.

-posted by Donna Detweiler, who remembers that in order to develop a new habit, you have to keep at it for 30 days. So if you’ve made it 5 months, you’re well on the road to permanent change!

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