My 2012 Goal- January

So my goal was spurred by a few moments/epiphanies/realizations:


1. I have realized I am kind of mean sometimes.
2. This is not who I want to be.
3. I want to be known as someone who is kind and someone who builds and uplifts others.

Then I heard this quote by President Monson: 

“When we deal in generalities, we shall never succeed. When we deal in specifics, we shall rarely have a failure. When performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported, the rate of performance accelerates.” 


And I thought about my former roommate, Kasia, who is an amazing person. When we met for roommate prayer every night, we would share what we did for someone that day. I decided to try that up again and record it (be accountable). If nothing else, it's gotten me to think more about what I do for others and try to focus more on those around me. It has also helped to take an abstract goal like "Be kinder" and make it more tangible and concrete. 


Here is the record for January.


Jan 1- Instead of running off to do something else after church, I stayed to help fix lunch
Jan 2- Asked mom what I could do to help and then immediately went and did it (cleaned bathroom)
Jan 3-Did dishes at dinner to help out
Jan 4- Called back the girl who I visit teach even though I really didn't want to talk on the phone (yeah it's been a rough day, okay)
Jan 5-Instead of leaving the baby in the bouncer chair and using my time to clean up so I could go home on time, I had the thought to play with her because I knew she had been at day care all day and probably had not had one-on-one interaction.
Jan 6- Tried to be nice to my co-worker and resisted the urge to get offended when she was condescending. Told her I hope she has a nice day.
Jan 7- Supported a friend in my ward who was getting her Endowments out today by going to the session with her
Jan 8- Decided to sit next to someone in the ward that a lot of people talk poorly of.
Jan 9- Resisted the impulse to feel offended and was still nice to that person.
Jan 10- Smiled at a stranger
Jan 11- Tried to be really kind, genuine, and cheery on the phone after a long day.
Jan 12- Was friendly to my new co-worker at the gym.
Jan 13- Mopped the floor
Jan 14- Called one of my sisters to see how she was doing
Jan 15-Made garlic bread for the missionaries
Jan 16-Visit taught
Jan 17- Asked my co-worker about her weekend and tried to genuinely care. Tried to see co-workers as God sees them.
Jan 18- Noticed someone in Institute didn't bring scriptures, so I let her use mine and I shared with someone else
Jan 19- Read a book to the boy at my job at Fitness World when I could have been cleaning up so I could leave earlier. Sought to build kids, love kids, not just make sure they don't kill themselves.
Jan 20- Expressed emotions to parents instead of "shutting off" and running from problems. Tried to humble myself and confront issues (another rough day, ok)
Jan 21- Went to the temple. Tried to be kinder to Mom and less critical.
Jan 22-Gave someone the benefit of the doubt when I could have felt offended, hung out with some people all day to be nice, even though I felt like a third wheel
Jan 23-Told mom I loved her
Jan 24-Gave someone a sincere compliment
Jan 25-Attempted to be better at keeping in contact with old friends by writing them an email and telling them things I like about them
Jan 26-Rough day...uh...smiled at a stranger?
Jan 27-Made some scarves for children in the homeless shelter
Jan 28-Consciously tried to be less competitive during frisbee and to be kinder to people while playing
Jan 29- Made food for the missionaries, prayed for them, tried to get over the fact that I don't like one of them
Jan 30-Prepared the spiritual thought for FHE
Jan 31-Started planning a birthday party for my friend