☤ fifty -three

[as_damaged]

I remember reading, somewhere, that upwards of eighty percent of New Year's Resolutions are abandoned, many of them within the first few weeks of the year. Whether that's because people tend to set unreasonable goals, or because the superstition surrounding New Year's Eve isn't strong enough to provide the necessary motivation, I can't say.

A more realistic goal would be to indulge in reflection a little more frequently, and not leave it all for the depths of winter. To change when change is necessary. To act instead of merely reacting. Manageable goals with concrete progress markers might not be as impressive as quitting smoking cold turkey, or losing a hundred pounds, or writing a novel, but they have a better success rate. That, at least, seems worth a resolution.



[ooc; ...convolutedly, that's her secret resolution. >> to be less passive and more of an agent in her life.]

Comments

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[worksmart.livejournal.com]

House would probably tell you that people give up resolutions which require them to change. Pick one involving self-gratification and you're on to a winner.

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[as_damaged]

That's probably true.

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[worksmart.livejournal.com]

Of course it's true. We like instant gratification, a hard slog is only worth doing if we enjoy the results. Someone who's eaten enough burgers to push the scales a hundred pounds left of healthy isn't going to be enjoying the prospect of switching to a life of salads.

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[as_damaged]

Why are you restating a point I've already agreed with?

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[worksmart.livejournal.com]

I'm expanding it. It's the basis for a conversation.

...and I was waiting for you to come in with a thyroid based excuse.

text;

[as_damaged]

I assumed you were using 'overweight' as a slight on a hypothetical person's character, not an actual medical condition.

audio

[taravata.livejournal.com]

Monkey see, monkey do.

audio

[as_damaged]

In making resolutions, breaking them, or talking about them?

audio

[taravata.livejournal.com]

Makin' them. More 'bout announcing them, then gettin' it done.

audio

[as_damaged]

Like most holidays, it's just superstitious tradition.

audio | 1/2

[taravata.livejournal.com]

A cheap gag's more like it.

audio | 2/2

[taravata.livejournal.com]

Sorry. Don't mean to argue with you, ma'am.

audio

[as_damaged]

That's all right, really.

audio ][ /bothers you everywhere lmfaoihegklnds also lol full moon

[oshutup.livejournal.com]

'Manageable' is good, though I suppose it's worth considering we can sometimes manage more than we expect.

audio ][ /takes it allll foreverrrr

[as_damaged]

That's true. But unexpected abilities tend to manifest in times of dire need; for most tasks, psychologically speaking, there's an ideal, appropriate level of challenge. People who complete their resolutions tend to have a specific breakdown, or to form support structures.

audio ][ <333333333

[oshutup.livejournal.com]

True.

[ Pause... ]

Did someone you know commit to the idea of writing a novel as one of their resolutions?

[ He's...bemused. Among other things. ]

audio ][

[as_damaged]

No one I know personally, but I'm sure several people at least do, every year.

But it's a decent example. There's a marked difference between saying, "I'm going to write a novel this year," and "I'm going to spend twenty minutes each day working on a novel this year." The latter you can't push off til next December; it's the same goal with a more structured approach.

audio ][

[oshutup.livejournal.com]

Would you ever consider endeavoring to write one?

[He's aware there's a saying that everyone has a story in them but not necessarily a book. Or perhaps he has that slightly wrong. He's not positive.]

audio ][

[as_damaged]

A novel? [She's not offended, she's just never entertained the idea. So she pauses, just a moment.] I don't think so. Fiction isn't really my forte.

Would you?

[orangetoughguy]

Ever thought about writing a book?

[as_damaged]

I've written for medical journals, if that counts.

[orangetoughguy]

It totally counts, but I'm talking about books normal people can read. You know you buy it in one store then go have coffee or somethin' next door while you read it.

[as_damaged]

It's a nice idea... But I'm really not much of a storyteller.

What about you?

[orangetoughguy]

You could make a killing with self-help.

Naw I can't even tell a joke.

[as_damaged]

The self-help market is glutted already, I hardly have anything new to add.

And that's just not true.