Then I turned philosophical. That hardly ever happens.
Not to take anything away from accomplishment, but it shouldn't be a surprise I improved at something I practiced at a few times a week for a year.
A whole year can make a big difference.
I started making a mental list of all the other activities I have ever tried and then been cruddy at. It is a long list. And for the most part that is fine with me. It doesn't bother me I was never a good hunter. I can live with the fact that making my mom's goulash edible seems to be an elusive skill for me. I now realize though that if I practiced ANY of the things on the list 3-5 days a week for 20-90 minutes I would be good at them. Or at least suck at less. Duh. (That is how I struggled my way up to running as far as I can now.) I am now wondering why it took me till I was nearly forty to learn this.
Here are some things I have always longed to be capable of. I have a smidgen of a background in these areas. I wouldn't just be starting from scratch. I would be starting from suck. See I am 1/10 of the way there.
*Speak a foreign language.
If I practice Spanish for a year I think I could almost butcher the language in a conversational way. I have always been envious of my students who speak multiple languages.
*Crochet.
If I were to crochet three to five times a week I could probably actually make something other than a triangular pot holder that was really supposed to be square. Maybe I could make a scarf or a blanket...a small blanket.
*Play the piano, or the violin.
I love the violin and I did briefly take lessons as an adult. Raising two rambunctious preschoolers at that time did make it difficult to find time to practice. Surely though I could find twenty minutes a day now (that I have FIVE kids.)
*Read the Bible the whole way through.
Every year I set out to do this and although I do get a little further each year I have not yet been successful. I am sure if I read twenty minutes a day I could accomplish this.
*Write better. I love to write and really give it a real attempt yet . The whole point of this blog was to actually write for an audience, not to just publish pictures of my kid eating dog food. Maybe my writing would improve if I really tried to actually write in a sophisticated manner....like in the third person even.
It is not realistic to think I am accomplish ALL this stuff in a year so I guess I am going to have to prioritize and pick one to focus one, maybe two depending on what I choose.
How about you? Do you have a goal? Or better yet have you already accomplished a goal? How did you manage to accomplish it?
Hmmm...there are lots of things I suck at :)
ReplyDeleteI'll have to think about the ones that I actually care about sucking less at.
My dad forced me to learn piano as a kid. That's actually nice now that I can play somewhat. I think it's tough to keep trying when you initially suck at doing something. For instance, I tried golfing and I'm really horrible at it. It doesn't lend itself to going at it 3 times a week. I just decided I have no skill as a golfer.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to be able to do home improvement things around my house. So far I'm practicing patching walls and painting.
Can't we just wake up one day, knowing how to do these things? Why does it have to take effort?
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm lazy.
Writing takes practice. I'm not the best, but I have seen an improvement since I started this blog. Keep after it. You will be happy with your progress.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us for the Train ride. Have a great week!
Ah your posts always make me laugh!
ReplyDeletemine is not to gain or loose weight this year. just stay where i am.
ReplyDeleteit is alot harder than it sounds.
Your newest follower from FMBT ;)
ReplyDeleteJodi @ http://www.makesmamasmile.blogspot.com
I can't play anything... I wish I could play the piano, but I would never take the time to learn.
ReplyDeleteMy goal would be to get a novel published.
ReplyDeleteI did take piano lessons as a kid. I liked it at first, then grew to hate it but my parents wouldn't let me quit. I was miserable and finally flat out refused to go to lessons anymore so they gave up.
I have a long list. Probably way too long because I never get to do any of those things well.
ReplyDeleteI decided long ago to be a Jill of All Trades, and Master of None. It's the process of learning something new that I love, not the 'perfecting it' part.
ReplyDeletePS...I love your blog. It's one that I'm always happy to see at the top of my blog roll. Happy Tuesday!
Goals are my enemy!!! I never achieve them. I always set out w/ good intentions, but then something else comes along and I'd rather do that. That is until something else comes along. ADD much!
ReplyDeleteOne of my goals at the start of last year was to finally open an etsy store to sell the things I make. Then I found out I was pregnant and put the store on the back burner while I moaned about the pregnancy, then birthed the baby and then started raising him. I did finally get around to opening my store, although I chose to do it on facebook rather than etsy. So I guess I did accomplish my goal, even if it took almost the whole year to do it.
ReplyDeleteHi, im following you back from FMBT. thanks for the comment and following my blog. have a wonderful day
ReplyDeleteHi there! I am your newest follower from the Tuesday Hops :). Nice blog, I look forward to reading some more. When you have some time, be sure to stop by my blog and say hi! Have a good one :)
ReplyDelete-Sassy
http://lasinglemama.blogspot.com
I am so proud of you for accomplishing your goal! I have a nice list that I start out with every year with the best of intentions. I too would like to read the Bible the whole way through. I would also like to find time to walk on my treadmill 2-3 times a week. I think I go into these things with an all or nothing attitude. I mess up and I get discouraged then I give up. A nasty cycle. I know I do it and yet I continue to let it hinder me. Here's praying I can do better in the future. Love you blog as always, hugs!
ReplyDelete