October Objectives

It's October already.  ALREADY.  We're over a week in.  So, clearly, I have thought carefully and hard about these objectives and I am NOT just hastily scribbling these now.

1. Accounting.  This will happen, honestly. I will track my spending from yesterday onward.
2. Cultural.  We have a shelf downstairs that is full of library books.  The problem is, I get distracted by my new, shiny, sexy books that I've just got, and I end up renewing and renewing the worthy but older books.  So I've decided that I have to read the most renewed books first.  This led to me reading Police in the Hallways (renewed 15 times), which made me so miserable, so sad, so despairing, that I cried on the subway while reading it.  More than once.  But it's about time to get through this stuff!
3. Physical.  I'm taking swimming lessons on Tuesday nights, and our instructor wants us to practice once a week, so my final mini-resolution is to go to all the classes and practice at least once.  The problem with practicing is that municipal pools in the city leave a lot to be desired.  For example, there's a nice enough pool in Williamsburg that has extended lap swimming and is on my way to work.  Only problem is that you can't just rock up and pay for one swim.  Instead, you appear to need to be a member, which is $150 for a year.  Ahem.  Riverbank Pool, owned by the state, not city, is glorious, and $2.  That's where I found myself last night, sharing the pool with just one other person while I practiced my drills before waiting for my touch football league.  I caught up on my Five Year Diary and watched fireworks over southern Manhattan.  Not a bad Monday night.

September Reckoning

1. Physical:  Body brushing.  I did actually do it most days, albeit not a few of them where I was so sweaty from a morning workout that it was weird and grim. And I think it did add a certain firmness of texture to touch, if not view, and that made me feel good - which is the point, I think, as I have kept it up since. 
2. Accounting: Didn't really do spending.  So see next month's objectives...
3. Cultural:  I have indeed been watching things from the Netflix queue, albeit things that are tv series.  Well, basically, I finished watching Scandal and have started watching The IT Crowd.  But that's more than I was doing before, and I'm enjoying it.  So I think I'd like to keep this up, and it seems vaguely likely, too.

September Objectives

Wait, what?  "Where is the August reckoning?" I hear all two of you cry.

Coming.

But, for now, the September objectives:

1. Physical:  Body brushing.  I have a body brush loitering in the bathroom, dangling on a hook that I use for my spectacularly ugly but durable shower cap (zebra print, giant pink rosette, and generally massive).  I don't use the body brush very often.  But, for the month of September, I shall use it every flipping day.  I shall be doing a highly unscientific test of whether it has any effect on my skin texture.  The fact that this coincides with a plethora of ugly insect bites that need scratching has nothing to do with this resolution.  Nothing.
2. Accounting: Our household is about to return to reality, after a year of sabbatical bliss, and we are doing the long-distance thing again.  Only this time I am on a non-profit salary rather than the big bucks of Big Law.  Therefore I'm on a mission to record each and every expenditure I make this month - where, what, how much.  We have changed spending habits a little but, I fear, I have not altered as much as I should have, given my now far more limited income.  So, this is it.  Time to work out what I'm spending, where, and so what unnecessary expenses can be shed that don't really bring me much joy.
3. Cultural:  Our Netflix queue has 86 titles on it, and we rarely watch titles, but instead just add them.  Time for that to change.  My plan is to watch one a week - one, obviously, that my other household member does not want to watch, or is happy to watch separately.  No (more)* Netflix adultery for us. 

* That is a confession for another day and a different blog.  

August Objectives

For August I wasn't sure.  Apparently I've decided to read all of Game of Thrones (I know, I know).  But, what with running around - work, going for a visit home - I wasn't sure what to do.  Luckily, a friend came to the rescue, inadvertently at least. 

Anyway, she was saying that she always finds excuses not to work out.  Because "punishment" for not working out - i.e. a forfeit, price - was not enough, she'd pay that.  But she's a super dependable, good friend - so what if her not working out punished us both?  Hence the deal:  she and I work out twice a week during August, not counting our soccer games.  It's not much.  But if either of us misses a session, there's a hellish price to pay:  A Kardashian show.  We have to watch one.  With no internet, no breaks, no phones to play with.  Just all Kardashian, all the time.  That's if we miss one workout.  If we miss two, the price doubles, so it's now THREE Kardashians (one for first session, two for the second sessions).  If we miss three, it's seven Kardashians.  So that is some serious incentive.

So far, we're on track.  We're involving others to keep us honest.  It's going to be... horrible if we miss anything.  So we just can't.  CAN'T, I tell you. 

July Reckoning

A pretty simple one, but I did manage not to weigh myself, and haven't done yet in August.  I definitely link how I feel to how I'm eating and exercising, but it's nice to link that to something specific - i.e. how well I'm treating myself - rather than weight.  Going to stick with this one, I hope.

July Objectives

I've definitely fallen off the wagon regarding objectives. Rather than heading into this halfway through the month, I'm going to point out just two objectives that are, in fact, linked. 

I've been reading a book on exercise that emphasizes building muscle and interval training. So I'm doing three sets of weight training per week, as well as one interval workout - either a timed metabolic workout, or countdown workout, and maybe a High Intensity Interval Training session every fortnight. 

The book also emphasizes that a lot of weight loss is muscle, rather than fat. That's not great, and doesn't really change one's shape. The best shape I've been in has involved serious weight training, so I'm going for it. The book, however, claims it's not about cutting calories, but one look at the eating plan indicates that that is a load of rubbish. Rubbish. Anything that makes you completely cut out booze, cheese, and snacks other than celery/almonds is trying to make you cut calories. So this is irritating. 

Nonetheless, the book does suggest something else that am adopting - throwing away the scales. Just no more. I weigh myself with great frequency, and the results do affect my mood and happiness more than I should. So I'm aiming for more veg, more healthy living, but no more increasing my discontent and negative self-image. 

So far in July, I've not weighed myself. And I feel better. I know I need to exercise. I know I feel good when I eat more veg and get out in the garden. And I've been doing it. 

If I were hesitant, this weekend provided affirmation of a previous resolution to relinquish negative influences. I gave up (most) women's magazines - particularly the style ones. A friend had a few for a train journey for our weekend away. They were utterly ludicrous, infuriating, negative, and stupid. I was so glad I don't spend my money on them, and realized how much better I feel without them providing a false sense of what I need and what I should be buying. It's great. So, scales, you're done, too. 

June Objectives

JUNE!  Already a week in, and I've been dithering, again, about my goals.  But here they are:

1. Physical.  After the success of the May challenge, I'm feeling pretty good.  I got a free subscription to Women's Health and, although I have reservations about this publication (given that "health" seems to mean losing weight and getting cut, which seems to be a pretty narrow definition of health), I thought it might provide inspiration for shaking up my exercise routine.  And, of course, it has!  Given my knacky knee, I liked the idea of cutting out regular cardio for what she calls a "metabolic" workout - you do a set of weight-bearing exercise intervals twice a week, plus three overall strength routines, and a HIIT (high intensity interval training) run - basically a mix of sprinting and recovery.  I've been doing those in May, and honestly, my fitness has improved incredibly quickly, and my knee doesn't feel any worse than if I do a long, slow jog/walk, so I'd rather have an efficient way to get myself fit that I actually really enjoy, even if I feel like vomiting afterward.  No, really, it's fun.  Promise!
2. Cultural.  It's summer time!  Take advantage of summer stuff!  Basically, I want to get to the BBG and Brooklyn museum at least once each during June. 
1. NB:  I am now FOUR books behind on my reading, so the hour at home, three times a week, is back ON.  ON, I tell you.

May Reckoning

May sped by.  And, possibly, had the highest fulfillment of objectives!

1. Physical - The May Challenge.  Other than the last week's bonus workout, I managed all of these - an average of over 10,000 steps a day, and the four workouts.  Pretty sweet.  Of course, I've eaten like an absolute monster during that period - NOM! - so it's not exactly resulted in too much firming, but the other half noticed that I am MUCH fitter than I was, and that's definitely down to doing two HIIT - High Intensity Interval Training - runs a week.  And I would not have done those without the May challenge.  Yay!
2. Cultural - this I've done a lot - I've just sat at home, reading.  It's been great.  But I still have a lot to catch up - the first week of June has been less effective in reading, it has to be said.

May Objectives

Oh, May.  We're already nearly halfway in - ahem - no excuses here. I've felt a little paralyzed by coming up with this month's challenge and, in ostrich fashion, have decided to ignore it rather than actually dealing with my inertia.

So this is belated, and these aren't full-blooded "yes I'm so excited resolutions," but... something, right?

1. Physical. Well, here, a friend and I have set ourselves a goal. It's to do two weights sessions, two cardio sessions, and a bonus "other," along with 70,000 steps a week. It's a lot, but doable - and the reward will be not just the completion, but also a meal at Fatty 'Cue. Because we can. I have set up a spreadsheet to track the progress, and last week was very much a success. Get in!
2. Cultural. Last year, I read over 50 books, as I'd intended (using Goodreads as my measuring methodology). This year I set myself a goal of reading 60 books.  I'm currently three books behind the pace to achieve that goal.  I have, for the most part, kept up my March resolution of reading when I have a seat on the subway. But I'm still not making up the shortfall, and so my new resolution is to set aside an hour to read at home four days a week. I spend so much time on other "noise" - the internet, tv, and I'm not really interested in those in the same way. So here we go.

April Reckoning

April - not so springlike, after all.  Still, the objectives...

1. Gastronomical - we were supposed to try out a new one each week.  Didn't really happen - weeknights were busy, and we were away for a weekend, and so, really, it just didn't work.  Bummer.  But we did two new ones, which were pretty good - and one of them, at least, I intend to visit again (Puerto Viejo) on a highly regular basis - Dominican breakfasts = fab.
2. Environmental - Well, I haven't done something every day, but I (and the significant other) are being far better at going out and weeding regularly - every few days.  I've been properly using the composting, too - we used a lot of compost for turning over our soil and enhancing the soil before planting some herbs, tomatoes, that sort of thing, and giving a new lease of life to the plants already there (I hope!).  Additionally, I've been regularly attacking the evil Japanese Knotweed that's in the back garden, and our trees have been savaged by a proper arborist, who has given us back sunlight!
3. Cultural - Well, I failed to learn to use Adobe LightRoom.  Hmm.  Maybe that's a summer thing.

 

April Objectives

April! The bringer of Spring - well, sort of, as it's currently 42F/4C, and that's only the "Real Feel" because it's finally sunny. Bleurgh.

Nonetheless, it's time for April Objectives.

1. Gastronomical - there are a million restaurants and bars in the neighbourhood. We go to the same ones all the time. So it's time for a new one a week. Hooray!  [Note: this has already been achieved for Week One. Huzzah!]
2. Environmental - Gardening! Trying to do something every day. Yesterday I took photos for the arborist who is going to trim our trees, and I'm going to do something today - check out what it is that we need to do this month, basically. Hooray!
3. Cultural - I have Adobe Light Room. I don't know how to use it. I would like to learn that. This month is the month!

 Also - does anyone know how to play cribbage?

March Reckoning

So, March: How was it for you?

1. Physical: Plan (and carry out) workouts for the week. Well, since the update, I've not done any of that, mostly because I have been on holiday and it was absolutely amazing. I did do a lot of walking, we did yoga on the beach two mornings, and I went tubing (lots of arm work! and arm sunburn, too, but that's another story). So unplanned.
   
   This was, I have to say, not a great success as a resolution. But I think it is worth thinking about what I can do, exercise-wise, during the week and making sure there is a balance - some strength work, some cardio, some stretchy stuff. And this week, that's happening, for example - I've already done a Pilates session and have a beginners' vinyasa thing today (stretchy), have cardio on Sunday (football), and so should do a strength session Thursday morning. Bosh! Anything else is a bonus.
   
   
2. Cultural: Whenever I have a seat on the subway, I have to read my book.  Again, the holiday interfered with this somewhat, but I read a LOT while on holiday - and it was good.  And I do think the sitting down rule should work. Except yesterday, when I was catching up with podcasts. Ahem.
   
3. Apparent: Wear earrings every day. I've definitely been doing this more, and I do need to find a few more pairs for everyday wear. Overall, though, it's been fun.

March Update

1. Physical: Plan (and carry out) workouts for the week. Well, I've sort of managed that. Sort of. Just not this third week of March. And I've not managed to do the exact ones that I planned, but they have made me feel guilty about not working out, so I've done a little more than previously.
   
2. Cultural: Whenever I have a seat on the subway, I have to read my book.  Well, that's not been perfect, but the resolution has certainly made me read more. Of course, I've managed to pick serious books that require a lot of reading and slow going - but they've been phenomenal so far. 
3. Apparent: Wear earrings every day. This has not happened 100%, but I'm definitely, again, wearing them more than normal. It's just not going to be something that I do that often, but I'd forgotten how much I like a few pairs I own, so definitely going to wear those more often.

March Objectives

With February safely out of the way I'm back off the wagon and have a new set of goals for the month.  Which are as follows:

1. Physical: Plan (and carry out) workouts for the week.  I'm not planning on a specific number, but I am hoping that this will spur my use of my planner, and will be something I actually stick to. So the resolution is a twofer - and, of course, that's not at all cheating. Ahem. 
   
   
2. Cultural: I listen to podcasts a lot. I adore them. But I need to read books! Books! On Goodreads I set myself a target of 60 books this year, and I'm failing miserably: I've read 6 and it's March. I'm so behind! Therefore I need to get on reading, particularly as I have a backlog of exciting-looking library and Christmas-gifted books to read. So the resolution is that whenever I have a seat on the subway, I have to read my book. I can't keep defaulting to Football Weekly, Savage Love, The Bugle, and (my current favourite) How Did This Get Made?
3. Apparent: My other half noticed that I don't really wear earrings much anymore. And he's right. I have lost a lot of one half of a pair of earrings I really like, and I have found that so disheartening, particularly after one that I adored from Kenya (so really not replaceable), that I sort of gave up. But I want to start again. So, for March only, it's earrings every day. EVERY DAY, I tell you!

So that's March. You?

February Reckoning

Well, here's the February reckoning.

NBIF - this was pretty straightforward, actually. Other than one or two weak moments, it's been good - I've managed to go out to restaurants, hang out with friends on cold, damp nights that screamed for a spicy red wine (that was consumed by others), and go to a Super Bowl and Oscars party without much stress or envy. 

Physical - BIKRAM. Oh, Bikram. Well, I've been twice, which is not quite the eight attempts. I've had a lot of early mornings this month - far more than normal - and you'd have thought that would mean that I'm good at getting up - three mornings a week, why not four? But I love my lie-ins, I need my sleep, and it just proved too much. But I've been, and it was definitely The Monthly Project goals that got me there. So I'm going to hopefully keep it up once a week, because I have felt great afterward. So I'm hoping for once a week. Hoping.

Cultural - I've been doing it!  I've managed to choose loooooong articles, accidentally, but that's what interested me. But I've also been able to read more in general. We also went through our old magazines, got rid of loads that I'm never going to read, and going to make this a regular activity.

Environmental -The January Cure has been up and running. I have a much more beautiful bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, and closets, albeit each with a bit more work to be done. Seriously, my bathroom shelves are unrecognizable. I've particularly enjoyed buying flowers for the house each week - the different colours, smells, and arrangements have been invigorating and made me feel both far more grown-up than usual, but also generally happier - as if I have indeed invested in our home, as Apartment Therapy suggested I would. Damn you, lifestyle bloggers, for being right!  [Fist being shaken]

Achievement!  (and if you think they don't look good, remember the befores... Seriously)

February Update (2)

Just over halfway through the month!  So, progress has been made on some monthly goals, not so much on others...

1. NBIF - Raging success.  Although, having said that, I'm currently in the throes of my first real "grrrrr I want a drink" moment. For starters: I'm on a train, and, somehow, trains are made for booze. They just are. Or cups of tea. Or both. Plus, a couple of young men next to me have a bottle of spirits each, and are slowly making their way through them, adding generously to their soft drinks. I want to punch them. And this is after surviving (and very much enjoying!) last night's Valentine's dinner with my beloved at what is becoming our favourite local restaurant. What's more, both of us forewent booze.* Additionally, I've managed to persuade a few others to try it, to varying degrees, and some are definitely seeing the benefits. Early mornings are so much better. A colleague told me his ability to do Bikram and focus is massively improved. Speaking of which...
2. Physical - BIKRAM.  None.  Nada.  Done nothing.  But this week I have no early starts, so THIS IS THE WEEK. FO SHO.
3. Cultural - I've actually done this!  Although I somehow managed to choose a month in which there was a double issue, so that makes it a lot easier. Nonetheless, I've not only read the three articles - including some of the super long ones, and not the restaurant reviews! - but more, and gone back and chucked out a million old ones that did not have a minimum threshold of two or more articles of interest.  I've even started reading some of those...
4. Environmental -  I'm not really doing the January Cure each day; it's too much at the moment with super early starts and being utterly exhausted as a result. I have been catching up at the weekends, however, and putting things in the outbox to get rid of (although it would have been handy to know I can start emptying it, which will start with abandon on Monday).  My kitchen looks better thanks to the prescribed clear out, and smells glorious thanks to the prescribed flowers.** The cupboard for my overall project is by no means done, but goodness it's better already. 

So some successes, some work to be done, but I am rather happy with how February is turning out, and I already have ideas on what March's resolutions will be.

* Having said that, the couple next to me were so extraordinarily annoying that I wished I could drink to work up the courage to tell them to bloody shut up.
** Freesias, if you're interested.

February Update (1)

The January Cure (done in February) - or JCDiF, as I handily refer to it - states that, after all that categorizing and listing, you just choose ONE project - one! - to do for the month.  Handily, other things one has to do along the way - kitchen sort out, bathroom shelves sort out, files/paper sort out - are things that were on my list, so that has meant that several projects I listed are going to get done without selecting them.  Phew.

So out of the many, many projects I listed, I've chosen the dreaded SPORTS CUPBOARD to do.  And it is dreaded, indeed.  It's an absolute mess.  The "sports" bit comes in the bottom of the cupboard, where a mass of our sports equipment is jumbled, along with a witch's hat & cloak from Hallowe'en, and goodness-knows-what-else.  In the same cupboard we have:

• A "holiday" box, with various bits and pieces we only use when on holiday or at home - oyster card, foreign money purse, etc.
• An "electronics" box, with a billion cords, plugs, and things for charging things I don't think we own anymore.
• Cushions for our outdoor chairs.
• Bedding and sheets etc. for the upstairs sofabed
• Linens and candles and various other things we use for hosting and the dinner table.
• Wool and knitting needles - WHAT?  I had forgotten I even owned these.
• A hammock I bought in Brazil with a friend in 2000 while there on holiday.  It has never, ever, ever been used.   

In an attempt to force me to do this, I'm shaming myself and putting these up on the Interwebs.  Sigh.  



This cupboard is a disaster. Not honouring the beautiful green lightbulb, that's for sure. I have to say, I don't think it 100% fits in with AT's instructions for how to chose the project - "A project that will make a noticeable difference in either how you use your home (organizing, flow), how something works (repairs) or how things look (decluttering, decorating)" - but it will make me feel better, for sure. TIME TO GET IT DONE

February Objectives

February, February.  This is a tricky one.  This is because I have, for the past few years, already had a February resolution:  No Booze.  NBIF, or Drybruary, as my charming and brilliant friend suggested, is now a standard resolution for me, and I've slowly persuaded a few others to come on board - more this year than ever.

Why do I do it?  It's good to go a month without booze.  See how you feel!  I genuinely feel less sluggish in the mornings by the end of it, and also virtuous and pleased with myself, which is not to be dismissed.  The first time I did it, I gave myself FIVE passes.  Then I slowly reduced the number of passes each NBIF, such that last year I had no passes - and for a Leap Year, no less!  Despite Valentine's Day and the Super Bowl.  I choose February because a) it's the shortest month; b) I can't do January because it's my significant other's birthday then - plus, that's too much of a shock to the system after December's excesses; and c) March is miserable and long and horrible, the worst month of the year, and the one in most need of booze.

All this is a precursor to saying that this month is breaking the rules because I have four goals, not three.  FOUR!  But I'm hoping to get them all done.  And the fourth one (listed first, confusingly, of course) is something that I already do.  I like to list it to get credit for it, that's all. 

1. NBIF - as already explained. No passes for me this year.  ULP.  I see this as a spiritual, physical, health, soul, whatever resolution.  For real.
2. Physical - BIKRAM.  I'm going to get sweaty and hot and stretchy, and try to do Bikram twice a week for the month. I love Bikram - it makes me feel light and tall and creates great posture, and if I can get my backside there, it will help.
3. Cultural - We get The New Yorker.  I never read it.  We have STACKS of these bloody magazines piled up, all full of articles that I know I want to and should read, but just can't bring myself to actually read. So this month, my resolution is to take the mag on the train and read at least three articles - even if just the film reviews - from each of the magazines out during February.
4. Environmental - the delightful and aforementioned Joanna put me onto the January Cure from Apartment Therapy, mentioning she might do it for February.  So I'm going to follow her lead and fill all those hours when I would usually be getting sozzled (joking, mum and dad and employer!) and do the January Cure in our place.  There are so many projects that we haven't done, little corners we want to sort out in our otherwise extremely lovely apartment; this is the boost and stimulation we need to do it!  This helps you do a little each day and get yourself into the great apartment you should have. 

What are your February goals?

January Reckoning

JANUARY'S GOALS:

As you may remember, January's goals were:

1. FITNESS:  Do four weeks of the 100 Push Up Challenge. 
2. CULTURAL: Go to the Met, the Guggenheim, and the Whitney. 

The reckoning:

1. FITNESS:  This morning I did Week 4 Day 1 of the 100 Push Ups Challenge.  It was, frankly, awful.  I'm clearly a wuss.  But did it I did, for a total of 97 push ups, and on we will continue, as far as possible.  So it's not completing four weeks, but the goal is what made my significant other force me to do it - as a stick/carrot, it worked!
2. CULTURAL: Well, we went to the Met and the Guggenheim.  The Met was overcrowded and a bit too much, but the exhibitions we saw were beautiful.  The Picasso at the Guggenheim was the inspiration for this goal, and was one of the most amazing exhibitions I've ever seen (I'm a sucker for the big old horndog, what can I say?).  While we didn't make it to the Whitney, the motivation for going there was an exhibition that it turns out is on all year.  Let's hope we actually make it... but in the meantime, we have made use of both our Botanic Garden and Brooklyn Museum memberships this month, so pretty good.

So not a raging success, but a success nonetheless - more museums than I've managed in a while, and far more push ups!  Roll on February.

January Update

Well, the monthly projects are continuing, albeit at a slooooow pace.  We went to the Picasso exhibition at the Guggenheim on MLK Day (it just tickled me that it was that day we went to see an exhibition paintings/drawings that were solely black and white). We also finally went to the Met - more updates about that on January 31.  Yes, it's tomorrow.  Ahem. 

The 100 Push Up Challenge continues, albeit a little slower than I'd like.  Luckily, I enlisted the support of my other half in this endeavour - well, actually, he enlisted himself, knowing my failure rate in the past - and that has made a massive difference to whether I actually do the push ups.  Because, as in previous efforts, when it gets to Week 3, it gets miserable and I am inclined to give up.  For example, Week 3 Day 2 consists of five sets of push ups, with 90 second breaks between each set, and the sets run 14, 19, 14, 14, 19.  Yuck.  And ouch.  Week 3 Day 3 is obviously worse.  And January 31's set - FINALLY into Week 4, but that helps with the resolving - is grotesque.
 

January Objectives

Of course we're over halfway through the month, and I'm finally getting round to stating what my monthly objectives are for January.  Ahem.  Anyway:

1. FITNESS:  Do four weeks of the 100 Push Up Challenge.  I usually get to Week 3 and give up.  I've done two weeks and the two-week test, and hoping to amp up and at least complete four weeks.  It gets revolting fairly soon, but it is good for me.  I'm sure.
2. CULTURAL: Go to the Met, the Guggenheim, and the Whitney.  This is already looking bad, as I've failed to do any of these so far, and it's January 21 already.  ULP!  Oops.

Welcome

What?

Welcome to The Monthly Project! Each year I attempt New Year's resolutions, but find that it's hard to stick to them. For examples of previous and overly ambitious resolutions see here (although I basically achieved the green thing). And here (actually, did manage the off auto settings, a mere two years later). And here. I have also, on numerous occasions, also sworn off resolutions, as seen here and here.  Ahem. So here I am, living proof that resolving really does not always work. 

2012 was a little different, however, because although I still set myself overly ambitious goals for the whole-year, I also set myself a series of monthly goals. I did this a few times in 2012, fairly successfully. So this blog is an attempt to try out monthly goals.

Why?

My theory behind the Monthly Project is that if I set myself small, manageable goals with an end point in sight, I'm more likely to achieve them.  (Note: There is, I believe, a body of research behind resolutions and their utter failure, but I feel that's something for folks to google rather than back up this project with anything vaguely methodical or scientific. That's for a far more serious endeavour).
I've not much of an attention span, and I like ticking off things on lists, that sort of thing, so short-term goals make me feel rather proud and provide a sense of accomplishment. 

And, in some cases, the shorter goals may well end up sticking more than a big resolution.  A basic one such as washing my face every night has led to me doing that more or less every night (yes, I know I should have been doing that anyway, and yet).  While I don't do crosswords every day, I'm doing them a lot more since my "do one every day" month last year.

How?

Of course, there are some ground rules for these monthly goals.  They can't just be "go to the gym 12 times" each month.  They have to be different as we go along.  Goals involving exercise, in particular, are troubling and therefore I do want to do something specific and not a mere "lose weight" one. Additionally, if I have a goal that involves exercise then I also must have one that enriches my brain or soul. Maximum number of goals is three per month.

Where?

Although I'll be continuing with my regular blogging at gracegoesabroad, my main way to track these goals is here.  I like to compartmentalise.  And to blog.

When?

At least once a month, with hopefully a mid-month update, each month in 2013.  We'll see how we go.