I felt like my resolutions last year were SUPER attainable, and yet lofty enough to keep me going. Looking back, maybe 3 is a better number for next years resolutions as that is about as many as I got an A+ grade on. Here is a look back at last years Resolutions, with a grade and notes on how I did!
My 2011 Resolutions…
1. Volunteer more, doing something I love, and with the same organization(s). Ronald McDonald House & Nursing Home, possibly host a game night at each. ~ Grade: C+ ~ Uggg. This is one that I REALLY wish I had done more with. I did choose 2 causes, RMH of Charlotte & Bright Blessings. I did hold a Spring Portrait Session with Proceeds to benefit RMH, and made up a Birthday Blessings classroom set for Bright Blessings, as well as dedicated my Birthday month to giving back/random acts of kindness. But, I still really want to volunteer at a Nursing Home and do a craft night/game night. Note to Self: Re-Add this to 2012 Resolutions.
2. Grow my portrait photography business. Explore some creative marketing ideas. Dedicate myself to learning, growing and bringing the best possible services and products to my clients. ~ A ~ I can ALWAYS see room for growth in this area! Always learning & growing for sure. Some of highlights this year: Repeat clients. LOVE seeing the same families! Corporate Business growth – Carolina’s Healthcare Systems and Real Estate, as well as Headshots helped to grow my business. Photography Conference in Raleigh. New/Better Packaging for Photo CD’s towards the end of the year. Room for Growth: Network more in SE Charlotte/Ballantyne area. Grow Senior Photo business. Blog More!
3. Continue to travel with John, if possible once a month – even if it is just a day trip to the mountains. Hopefully a trip to Greece. Exploring feeds the soul! ~ A ~ We didn’t make it out of the US (boooo!), so there is defintely room for improvement! We did go to Florida in the Spring (Miami/WPB/Orlando), tried a Swamp Boat ride, HHI in the summer, and Orlando for a week at Christmas. Plus other randoms to a baseball game in Atlanta, a Photography conference in Raleigh, West Virginia several times, basketball games… nothing I LOVE more than having fun & traveling with John! Room for Improvement: Try at least 2 new places a year (this year had a lot of familiars, but still FUN!).
4. Host a monthly or every-other-month Game Night. Foster new and old friendships. ~ D- ~ Boooo! We have had a few game nights with a few different couples, but nothing like the ultra-planned out, themed events I was thinking of on January 1st! Not sure if I will Re-List this one in 2012, may be better to play it by ear!
5. Learn something new, as often as possible. Take a cake decorating class, photography workshop, try yoga (again), learn the tango… ”Unless you try to do something beyond what you have mastered, you will never grow.” ~ C.R. Lawton. ~ A ~ I learned to sew this year by taking sewing lessons in someone’s home. And bought a sewing machine! 12 months after writing this, I actually have a sewing room! With fabric! 
And I am still a beginner, so I still have a lot to learn with this hobby. I made pillow cases, aprons, a tote bag, an iTouch case… I also went to a Photography workshop in Raleigh, where I had a lot to learn. John taught me how to do “approach” shots in golf. This month I took a cake pop decorating class (such fun!) and am signed up for Wilton Cake Decorating classes next month! Joined Pinterest, which is like a craft class times a million. I’ll have to spend the rest of this week thinking of things I want to learn for next year!
6. Keep records… journal! *Try project 365, taking a picture a day for a year. If that doesn’t work out, settle for Project 52 – a picture a week for a year! ~ D ~ I have exactly 2 entries in my “journal,” including the 1st one on New Years Day! And I LOVE how I knew myself well enough to give myself an OUT on the Project 365… ahh, it was fun for the 1st month or so though. I did, however, start videoing more when I got my husband his iPhone, AND have a “Memory Board” where I keep ticket stubs, room keys, photos, etc. Baby steps!
7. Choose happiness. ~ I can’t “grade” myself on this one, as it is always evolving. I did have a rough patch when my mom was having some health issues, but I tried to turn a negative into a positive by bringing her to stay with us for awhile. This will ALWAYS be on my list, as I think it is a very good goal to have in life!
There they are! Overall, I would call making the list a success! It helped me to evaluate my priorities, as well as see what area may never be a priority (record keeping! Blah!). Excited to make up the list for 2012! Happy Resolution-Making, everyone! What’s on your list for 2012?
