Desk Day

Paperwork has a way of building up if you are not careful about taking care of it regularly. And it does not matter terribly much if said paperwork is on physical paper or not; digital builds up almost faster than physical these days, at least for me. The physical stuff is just a bit more obvious in its existence and pervasiveness.

In the process of becoming more organised (a process which is ongoing and likely perpetual), I have tried a variety of strategies for dealing with my paperwork in all its varieties. Some strategies have been more useful than others, but I have yet to find the ‘magic bullet’ strategy, the one that will always work, no matter what the situation. Of course, I am fairly certain that strategy does not actually exist, so I make do as best I can with what I have.

The other night I did a “desk day” session, gathering up various bits and pieces of paper, unopened mail, &c. that I had in my room and going through them. I also pulled down my box of receipts and attempted to impose some level of organisation upon them. That was less successful, though I did get some basic sorting done, at least. And I have all the most current receipts on top of the pile . . . that’s something, right?

The goal of a desk day is reasonably straightforward: reduce the overall amount of paperwork to manageable levels and stay on top of things as they come due. I am fairly certain I can get on top of the physical paperwork. Now I just need to work out a solid plan for tackling the digital piles. While they take up no physical space they do take up quite a lot of mental space that could be better used for other things.

Sunday and Goals

I got up earlier than I normally do on Sunday (need to change that habit; getting up earlier should be the normal thing) in order to write out the talk I gave in sacrament meeting today. I'd known about the talk for a month, which is somewhat unusual, but even with the extended time period I spent most of that time just thinking about how I wanted to approach my topic. I was asked to speak about Institute, and the other speaker was our current Institute teacher (and the regional Institute director) Brother Chapman. Overall I think my talk went well, though it was probably a bit short. I am pretty sure I started talking faster as I went along.

I also got a new calling this week. Previously, I had been the Institute co-chair (responsible for making sure the teacher has whatever they need, setting out hymnals, choosing the hymns, making announcements at the beginning and close of Institute, &c), but now I am the Gospel Doctrine teacher. It's a pretty big change, and a much more intensive calling as far as preparation goes. I know I am up to the challenge, but it is still a bit overwhelming to think about at times.

On the other hand . . . this new calling means I definitely need to stay on top of my focused scripture study, so it provides wonderful focus for a couple of my goals for the year. Win!

The evening was spent preparing dinner (red beans and rice, except I used a can of kidney beans and a can of black beans), cleaning up after dinner (hurrah for a clean kitchen!), and poking around on Family Search and Bible Videos. All in all a most excellent Sunday.

Goals

I haven’t normally been one for much official goal-setting, at least not of the "New Year's Resolution" variety. It always seemed a little artificial to me, and there are also all the jokes and comments about how New Year’s resolutions seem to inevitably fail or be forgotten. Since I don’t like the idea of setting myself up for failure and ridicule, setting New Year’s resolutions hasn’t really been high on my list of priorities.

It just so happens that this year I found myself wanting to make changes in my life and set goals right at the turn of the new year, so I’m going to be setting goals that could be viewed as New Year’s resolutions. These goals fall into several broad categories, and I’m working to make them specific and attainable while still being things that inspire growth and personal improvement.

Physical
I want to improve my overall physical fitness, with a focus on strengthening my core muscles and bringing my diet more in line with the principles found in the Word of Wisdom. I’ll be using the Core Program and body weight training in addition to my week-day walks, at least for a start.

A second, related physical fitness goal is bringing my sleep schedule around so I am waking up by 06:00 each morning while still getting at least seven hours of sleep. The net result of this will be me getting in to work earlier, which means I will be able to leave at an earlier hour and still have a goodly amount of time to do things in the evening. I know this will be a challenge for me--bedtime always has been--but I also know that I will be much better off by doing this.

Spiritual
I want to read (again) the Book of Mormon in 2012. Since the course of study for Sunday School this year is the Book of Mormon, as long as I keep up with reading each week I will read the entire book by the end of the year. I also want to read the George Albert Smith manual (Relief Society course of study) and Daughters in My Kingdom.

On the non-reading front, I again want to attend the temple at least once a month, and I want to do better at my visiting teaching. I know that both of these are very important things, and that I can do them.

Social
Hold game nights at least once a month. I have loads of board and card games, and they need to see more play time.

Write and post at least one blog entry a week. Need to stop half writing and never posting them. I also need to make sure my blog is laid out the way I want it to be.

Literary
Read 120 books this year, and have most of them be books that I already own (instead of books bought new that year) or books I’ve borrowed. A corollary goal is to only buy books in 2012 that I know I want to devote the shelf space to.


All of these are completely doable. They will provide challenges, but not overwhelming ones, and the overall result should be a more balanced life. I really desire that.