I love clean slates and blank pages.

For me, it means new chances, fresh starts and more opportunities to make the most out of life.

Whether we are coming from a place of difficulty or a place of success, there is always that place up ahead: a chance to learn and grow or a beginning of a new adventure.

I think that no matter who we are, where we are or what circumstances we are in, we all have a chance and a choice to close one chapter and open another.

Resolutions are not exclusive to the New Year.

If we choose to, we can turn our lives around at any given moment at any time we want.

We can only be bound by the limits we set for ourselves.

And if we believe that anything is possible, then everything becomes boundless.

Half of the year has almost gone by and I ask myself, “What do I want to do differently this time? What do I want to change?”

I want to set goals for myself this month. I think it would be more realistic to set a shorter time frame than to make lofty goals for the year that I may not likely accomplish.

I’m a procrastinator. There I’ve said it.

And after years of dealing with this bad habit, I figured the only way to beat the big P is to list down simple goals that would build one over the other until it generates momentum.

It’s time to stop going with the daily flow and to start charting my direction.

My personal goals for May 2008

1. Write in my journal everyday.

With my new Moleskine, this goal has become increasingly easy. (I think my notebook addiction is slowly evolving to Moleskine addiction. I’ve shelved all my notebooks and just carry my Moleskine everyday.) So far, I’ve written everyday in my journal since the first of May and it’s been a really beneficial habit for me. Among the things I write about, I always make it a point to chronicle all the gifts and blessings I receive everyday. This keeps me in a state of gratitude always. Besides I love writing and doing what I love makes me happy.

2. Finish reading Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret.

I’ve actually finished reading this book from cover to cover once. But I have this tendency to read without really absorbing the message of the book especially if I’m distracted. Sometimes the excitement of finishing the book right away makes me miss the important parts and the essence of what I’m reading is lost on me. This time when I read The Secret again, I will really focus on it and take it to heart.

3. Write at least 2 blog posts a week for my passion project.

I’ve always wanted to pursue my passion project but procrastination hits me every time. The good thing is I always manage to kick myself in the butt and start over again. To follow my own advice, I’m trying to keep my tasks simple and accomplish one thing at a time so I don’t get overwhelmed and end up accomplishing nothing. I’ve already written a new post for May about pursuing one’s passion. That means one more article to go for this week.

4. Start to gather materials for my Vision Book.

This is another passion project that I’ve always wanted to do but never made the time to. So to get the ball rolling, I will just do one thing and gather all the materials I will use. When that’s done, I’ll take on the next step.

Have you set your goals for the month?

Post about it in your blog or share it with someone you trust. If you’re a procrastinator like me, sharing your goals can help you kickstart the process of accomplishing them plus other people can help encourage you to keep on going when the big P hits again.

At the end of the month, write your progress report and see what you’ve learned from it.

Photo credits: blank pages, moleskine journal, Secret book, Vision book

Tagged as: goals, journal, moleskine, passion, Rhonda Byrne, The Secret, vision book