Today was the first day back teaching and we had a relaxed day of thinking about the future, or more specifically, 2008.
I got everyone to write down their hopes and aspirations for the calendar year. Some found the concept of ‘an achievable goal’ difficult. (Evidenced with responses such as “I want to go shopping.” “I want to be 10 years younger.” “I want to win the lotto.”)
I generally avoid resolutions as I prefer to keep my expectations low and goals just seem like another opportunity for failure, like diets, reading Tolstoy and complex recipes. However, I too, tried out the goal-setting exercise with my students and have come up with this list.
- I will undertake a Graduate Diploma in Psychology.
- I will submit my thesis.
- I will get rid of my credit card debt.
- I will put on two exhibitions.
- I will be more patient.
- I will hand my reports in before the due date or at least on their due dates.
- I will say hello to the people at work in the morning and good-bye to them at the end of the day.
- I will continue playing drums.
- I will mount the dryer even though I never use it.
- I will teach Yoko and Rufus to sit, heel and fetch.
- I will replace the dead ivy and Bouganvillea in the garden.
- I will go swimming at least once a week.
- I will go to TKD twice a week.
- I will go to the cinema twice a month.
- I will wear dresses.
- I will see the dentist about this tooth.
- I will set up a computer and the internet for my father.
- I will keep up this blog.
- I will set up my worm farm.
- I will get some new glasses and wear them because contact lenses are killing my eyes.
- I will finish reading À la recherche du temps perdu.
- I will go out to the studio at least once a week.
- I will try and strike a balance between positive thinking, ‘maintaining the rage’ and my natural tendency to be cynical about everything.
- I will consider being optimistic.
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