Weekend Goals

In my travels through the blogosphere, I’ve noticed lots of people make goals. Then something happens and they don’t make the goal. And then get upset for not making the goal. My take on making goals is this: It’s a plan. It’s a roadmap.

For me it provides a framework of what I’d like to accomplish. I suffer from whatever the craft equivalent of ADHD might be. If’s it’s shiny and pretty and new, I’m going to chase it. My goals keep me focused. This is what I want to do. Yes I can do other things, but if I do, this is the cost. So often, I come home Friday with several things to do and go back to work on Monday and I haven’t accomplished anything at all! I’ve been busy and run all over the place, but I’ve gotten nothing done.

But, if my goal is to get in the sewing room and whatever I’m working on isn’t finished, that’s okay. I’m further along than if I hadn’t started at all. But, if I don’t plan to get into the sewing room, and I goof off all weekend, I’ve got nothing. If it’s my goal to get in the sewing room and DH wants to go to dinner, chances are I’m going with him. It’s okay to make a conscious choice to do something else, but I’ve got to know what my choices are. Goals also make me think about what I’ve got to get done and prioritize them. I also suffer from CRSS (can’t remember stuff syndrome), so if I don’t write it down, chances are I’ll forget it before the thought is finished!

For this weekend I choose:

1. Get to the bank

2. Pick up Turbo Tax

3. Finish DH’s sweater. At this point the only reason this sweater’s getting done, is because it’s for DH. Otherwise it would be a ball of yarn!

4. Begin packing. I’m leaving for San Diego (for work) next Saturday. If I don’t start now, I’ll be up all night Friday. I know me.

Now of course this is only four things, and there are other things that need to be done (housework comes to mind), but these are the four I need to get done. In the strictest sense of the word, they’re tasks, but it’s my list. I’d really like to get to the bank and Staples this evening. If I do, I don’t have to leave home tomorrow. Once I leave home, temptation abounds.

So far, this is working for me. If it doesn’t work for you, don’t do it. Of course, the most important reason not to beat up on ourselves is that this is our hobby. It’s supposed to be fun and a distraction from the everyday. We’re getting beat up at work, the news is horrible and as much as we love our families they can be needy. If we keep beating ourselves up over not meeting self-imposed goals, it takes the fun out of it. It becomes something else we have to do. Let’s keep our hobbies fun. There’s little enough fun in our lives already!

TTYL