I have a list of goals that I want to accomplish.  I don’t know where it is – it may be tucked away on a scrap piece of paper somewhere.  The point is, this list is full of items that I want to do.  You probably have a similar list – it is usually  written on New Year’s Day when you’re feeling optimistic about the upcoming year and hopeful that this year will be the one where you actually accomplish those goals.  But if you’re like me, by February the list is long-forgotten, out-of-sight in a drawer somewhere, only to be remembered again next New Year’s Eve.

I do this every year.  I think to some extent that we all do.  My list usually includes things such as the following:

• lose weight
• get healthy
• finish school
• read more books
• work on my photography
• etc., etc., etc.

Each year the items are the same.  But this year is different.  This year I’ve actually completed some of the things on this list.  I have lost weight and I have been getting healthy.  I also finished school (finally).  And let me tell you that it feels good to check some of these things off of that list, whether they’re written down or not.

Maybe it’s because I’m on a roll or maybe it’s because now that I’m done with school I have more free time.  Whatever the reason is, when I saw this book at the bookstore, it spoke to me.  Literally called out my name from the shelf.  My husband, being the sweet person that he is, bought it for me from Amazon and I’ve been anticipating using it ever since.

Well now is the time.  Let me tell you a little about the book so you’ll understand where I’m going with this.  It’s aptly named, “YOU CAN DO IT (in all capital letters just like that), The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-Up Girls.”  (I’m going to guess that guys can probably do it too.)   Its mantra is: Dare to dream, learn something new, do something just for you.  Sounds pretty cool, doesn’t it?

It’s divided into seven sections:

• Dare
• Create
• Learn
• Play
• Deal
• Connect
• Dream

Each section has a list of things to do.  In the dare section, for example, there are things such as:

• Travel – Roam Where You Want To
• Dancing – Bust a Move
• Speak Up – Public Speaking

The Create section has items like these:

• Painting – Paint a Picture
• Gardening – Dig This
• Beading – Bead It

You probably get the idea.  Each item offers suggestions on how to get your merit badge in those areas.  It also includes helpful tips from a “mentor” or someone who is an expert in that field.  There are even additional resources such as a list of books or websites if you need outside assistance.

So, I am pledging right here and now, that I am going to start doing these things.  In fact, I have already started.  Earlier this summer I “championed a cause – activism” when I raised funds for breast cancer research.  I’ve also done new things recently such as “Go world wide – building a web site.”  I’m going to start with those.  Then I’m going to move on to new items such as knitting (I’ve always wanted to do that), public speaking (I’ve been meaning to join ToastMasters for months), and cooking (a continual work in progress).

Once an area is completed and I have received my merit badge, I will post about it here.   I’ll give my step-by-step process along with pictures when possible.  If nothing else, I am doing it so that I can say that I did it and here’s the proof.

And hey, if it helps motivate someone else to get out that list of theirs and get going on their goals, that will be even better.

What goals/projects would you work on?

RELATED POSTS:

YOU CAN DO IT: Getting Organized

YOU CAN DO IT: Building a Website

YOU CAN DO IT:  Championing A Cause

YOU CAN DO IT: The Merit Badge Handbook

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