Heather Haddad

I like to make new year’s resolutions because I belive setting goals is an important step to achievement! I also like to take the opportunity to review my prior year and see if I’ve made any progress in my life towards my ultimate life goals.

Last year’s resolutions were:

1. To figure out a good work/life balance so I can enjoy my time off instead of stressing out, and still get everything done that I’d like

2. To go to the gym 3 days a week

I think that I have accomplished #1. Last year at this time, I wrote a blog saying: “I am really struggling with balancing my life. Yesterday, I saw my husband for 45 minutes. I was at Fumee working from noon until 3 AM and came back the next day at 10 AM. I am overwhelmed with the amount of work I have to do, and am frustrated with not seeing the fruits of this labor.”

Things are much better now. We have an employee, and I get one day off a week, sometimes even two! I also don’t have to clock as many hours as I used to. Life’s pretty chill now: in fact, I actually feel guilty sometimes for not being more stressed out!

Resolution #2 was pretty hit or miss through out the year. Which brings me to this year’s resolutions:

Personal:

#1 to take the 10:30 AM yoga and pilates classes at my gym 4x/week

#2 to stick to a diet…it’s about time.

#3 to visit my mom! I haven’t seen her in over a year! I see my dad and sister a lot since my sister visits every summer and my dad and I always go on cigar trips together, but I miss my mommy!

#4 to finish the pile of books on my nightstand that are half read. Amongst them: Anna Karenina, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, The Courage to Be Rich, and Grimm’s Fairy Tales

#5 to get health insurance

#6 to consolidate and begin repayments on my student loans

#7 to save up for a down payment on a house

Then I have some business goals, but I have decided to keep those off the blogosphere for now.

All in all, 2009 was successful for me. I feel that I am better off at the beginning of 2010 than I was at the beginning of 2009. Business is strong, sales are up, tips are up, and time off has increased. In 2010 I hope to see some really great things out of Fumee. I predict that 2010 is the year we finally get this all figured out and running smoothly, as well as the year that we make some great strides towards financial security.

PS, I know some of you have been worried about my cancer situation. My results came back better than expected, but still conclusive for pre-cancer. I do have to have a surgical procedure but the good news is I’ve caught it early and I’ll live. =)