I realize it’s January 4th, but I am still writing, choosing, and organizing goals for 2011. A pessimist might consider that a bad sign, but I am not a pessimist; I think it’s a sign of thoughtful determination and stick-to-it-iveness.

According to the only source I’ve consulted, fewer than three percent of adults write clear goals for themselves. That fewer-than-three percent, however, can accomplish up to ten times what the other ninety-seven percent accomplish. Sorry, I have no idea how that was measured.

I do, however, have an idea for how I, and perhaps you, might measure some of our 2011 accomplishments. Let’s say we take me seriously (hey–no laughing!) and accept the challenge to make as many of the Creative Gifts as we can between now and December 2011. I made a paltry one Creative Gift this year, so if I make just ten of the twenty-four gift ideas, I will have accomplished ten times as much as I did last year.

Of course, I increase the likelihood of achieving that by writing clear goals. Hmm…if only I had a good organized planning system.

Enter our wonderfully productive and generous Norwegian friend, Harriet, with a Stitching for Literacy Creative Gifts planning calendar.

She’s gathered and organized ideas from the twenty-four posts, brainstormed and shared her own ideas, and made space for notes, the S4L Book Club book-of-the-month, deadlines, and progress. Best of all, it’s colorful and pretty, so we want to look at it and be reminded of our commitments. Best best of all, she’s done the work for us, so all we have to do is call it up on our computers or print it out and get busy crafting.

Woot, Harriet!

Of course, tweak as desired. Alter or swap projects at will. Make birthday or baby gifts instead of holiday gifts. Make napkin rings for your own use. Just get stitching, crafting, and creating. Remember, studies show that increasing creativity increases happiness. Here’s to much happiness in 2011!

Setting clear, written Creative Gift goals doesn’t get any easier. Has anyone started yet?