In honor of the NHL finally getting it together. This isn’t an actual NHL game, but hockey is hockey. This has nothing to do with my post.
This is normally the time I’d review last year’s goals, but I don’t want to depress myself. Here’s a basic recap of 2012 without getting into specifics: I didn’t meet any of my goals. I did accomplish a lot, but not necessarily anything I had planned. I don’t want to completely ignore goals – I perform well with a to-do list. I am, however, hesitant after last year’s major fail.
I’m not really sure what to expect from this year. Last year I set goals based on me working full time (40 hours/week) as an accounting assistant, the hubs working full time (70+ hours/week) at the recycling center, writing part time (10-20 hours/week), getting healthy (home cooked meals and exercise), and saving the world. Let’s look at what changed:
– hubby started a new job in February
– I stopped cooking in March
– only worked out once a week by April
– stopped writing my novel by May (couldn’t fit it all in)
– family visiting in June and July
– gave my notice in August
– Aunt Linda moved in Memorial Day weekend
After Linda moved in life settled down, but a few other things popped up. The biggest shock to me was that quitting a full time job doesn’t translate into 40 hours/week of writing. It’s more like 20 hours menu planning/cooking, 10 hours on other household chores (bills, cleaning, grocery shopping), 2-4 hours exercising, 2-4 hours blogging, 2-4 hours reading, 2-4 hours writing articles, football games on all weekend … where does my novel fit in? Exactly.
On top of all of that, I spent most of November and all of December not feeling like myself: massive weight gain (10 lbs, 1 pant size, in 6 weeks – while working out 3-4 days a week), increased blood pressure, regular heartburn, trouble sleeping, and piercing, debilitating headaches. I’d finally find some time to write and just couldn’t stay awake or focused long enough to make any progress.
With all of that behind me, I’m inclined to think this year has to be better! For one thing, I figured out the icky-feeling (there’s a lot of truth to the myths about turning 35 – the doctor found some funky hormone levels and thinks I’ll be feeling normal again in a month or two). Another perk is that Linda and I are in a groove. We have our at-home days and our errand-running days. I know when I write best and am most productive – I no longer go to the gym or grocery shop during those times. I’m figuring it out.
Considering all of that, I’m looking at 2013 and setting a reasonable bar. Here goes:
1. Get healthy: It’s not about weight or size. I want to feel good, sleep well, and cut back on my Tums consumption. I don’t know yet what that looks like, but I’ll know it when I feel it.
2. Pitch Callie: I finished, edited, and re-edited this novel after having my critique partner review. Time to introduce her to the world.
3. Finish Ashley: I wanted to finish this last year but seriously misjudged my time. I’ve already got a good start on her and shouldn’t have a problem finishing (as long as I make time to write her).
4. Get more gigs: I need to write and edit more for money. I have the time and talent, I just don’t know how to get the clients. I’m scraping pennies together to go to conferences and take classes – I still need to translate that into contracts.
That’s it. Not too specific, but definite. Enough goals to keep me busy without setting myself up to fail. Open ended enough to challenge me for 11 months. A to-do list that doesn’t overwhelm me.
Your turn: what are you doing this year?
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