My 2016 word is...

This year I want to be Brave. It may seem like a strange word to focus on, but in reality it's exactly what I need to do. I go along with people all the time above what I prefer because I don't want to rock the boat. I want people to like me so I just say yes, even if I don't want to do something.

This year I want to get better at saying no or I don't want that or I am not comfortable with that. This to me takes bravery as I have to tell people whom I would normally go along with that I don't want to. I will lose friends because of this, but I have to be brave enough to remember the ones worth keeping, the ones who matter will continue to be my friend.

• I need to be Brave in saying no to eating out when I know my goal is to lose weight.
• I need to be Brave in saying no to myself when I want to skip a workout.
• I need to be Brave in saying no to buying that "treat" on the way home from work.
• I need to be Brave in trying something that can help me in my career rather than saying no.
• I need to be Brave in saving money for things rather than buying whatever strikes me fancy.

So many things to be Brave about this year, but I can do it. This is my mantra for the year and it is doable.

Do you have a word you're focusing on or a goal you want to hit in 2016? Tell me about it!

Follow @NeverTrade2013

2014: Happiness

I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.

~ Martha Washington ~

Today is the day we all share what resolutions we will tackle this year. Usually mine involve loosing weight, running faster, getting a better job, blah, blah, blah. This year I chose to do things differently. I am making a resolution to be happy. I have specific things I want to accomplish this year, but I honestly believe the only way I will reach them is by being happy.

I know the year won't be perfect. I know I won't be perfect. I know as much as I try, I will occasionally fail at what I want to do, but I vow this year to not allow it to effect my happiness. It's a set-back, not a reflection of my true self. I will be happy that whatever I failed at, I had the opportunity to do it.

So, this year I will make happiness a priority. I will let go of the negative things and people in my life to find ways of connecting with those people who have been supportive, to do things I love, and to just be me. I tend to not allow my true thoughts and feelings come out because I don't want to offend someone, but it never bodes well when I do that. It negates my sense of who I am and my sense of worth. If I want to be happy, I need to be who I truly am, not who I want people to think I am.

What are you vowing this year? Do you have specific goals?

Follow @NeverTrade2013
 

Some specifics

Well, here is me writing down some specific goals to go with my resolutions from yesterday. These are the things that each year I try to accomplish and one new one. What specifics do you have in mind for 2013?

Eat healthy

Exercise

Lose weight to reach my goal weight of 140

Train to run a sub-

     2:50:00 half marathon

     60:00 8k/5 mile

     35:00 5k

Use my camera more

Write a book (1918 Influenza Epidemic)

To this end, I've decided to take on a few physical challenges (anyone else remember Double Dare?). These won't be the only ones, but this is where I am now. Hopefully throughout the year new ones will present themselves.

13 races in 2013

Tribesports

Dolphin Challenge at Virginia Beach: 8k and half marathon

100 Day Challenge presented by John Bingham

Welcome to 2013!

A new year, a new start. Every year we set resolutions and every year we hope that by the end of the year we have accomplished them. I do them every year. Every year they all seem to be the same thing - lose weight, exercise more. Yea. Anyone else?

This year I'm making a different resolution or goal for myself. There are several levels to my goals this year, but the first level are not so cut and dry. I want to focus on my feelings, my emotions. I tend to eat my emotions. I tend to let my emotions lead me. I am determined this year to get my emotions under control. I want to focus on positives. I believe if I can manage the following in my life all those resolutions/goals I normally set will take care of themselves. I will be happier with me and can be confident in my choices.

Here goes...these are all the emotions/actions I want to feel/be in 2013:

Happy

Confident

Fit

Follow through

Forgiveness

Adventurous

Courgeous

Dedication

Perserverence

Worthy

I'll probably add to this list over the year, but this is where I'm starting from. I think this is a good start to the year. 

What are you hoping to accomplish in 2013? I'll go into more detail about how I want to accomplish this over the next few days, but for now here's how 2013 is going to start for me.

Setting goals

I am working on my goals for 2013. I think I need to adjust how I view goals and it's something that I'm trying to figure out. It's a bit more difficult, but I'm hoping that by changing my outlook on goals for 2013 I will reach them. That come 2014 there won't be too many goals because I have reached my 2013 goals. Maybe next year will be difficult because I'm not having to rewrite my 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 goals.

What about you? Are you thinking about your goals for 2013? Are you having to use last year's goals again or are you breaking that cycle and moving forward?