Last year, I set some goals for myself. Resolutions, whatever you want to call them. For about 6 months, I did a once-a-month update to see how I was matching up to them; here’s a quick review of 2011:
- Jacob, Jacob, Jacob, Jacob.
This was a vague goal – but mostly, I wanted to focus on quality in terms of my time with Jacob. I really feel like I did that. I’m marking this goal ACHIEVED. - Continue to write nearly every weekend.
Well, I managed this right up until the summer, I think. As my classes got more difficult, I gave up writing time to focus on school. But still, I kept writing and have continued to produce new work, including revisions to the manuscript. I’m marking this goal ACHIEVED. - Submit manuscript to at least 5 contests.
I have submitted to 12 contests in 2011. Results for a few outstanding. ACHIEVED. - Send two submissions per month.
I did this consistently through the summer. Again, as school took precedence, I let the submissions fall to the backburner – though I did continue submitting. I will mark this one PARTIALLY ACHIEVED. - Complete NaPoMo.
Woo hoo! I did a NaPoMo! ACHIEVED. - Spend more time geocaching.
Well, no. With so many plates in the air – school, Jake, work, Donna, writing, manuscript revision, the house, a social life and a fair bit of travel in 2011 – I just didn’t have time. NOT ACHIEVED. - Participate in Donna’s Poetry Tow Truck exercises.
Yes, though I often didn’t post them. ACHIEVED. - Actually get back to Nic Sebastian on that Voice Alpha guest-blog invite. And maybe write a guest blog. I did! I wrote the guest blog, which you can read here if you’re interested. ACHIEVED.
- School, school, school.
Yes, I am well on my way to a graduation in summer 2012. ACHIEVED. - Think about finding a new job, or learn to balance work/life more appropriately in this one.
Oh boy! A promotion, a better work/life balance. A wonderful thing. ACHIEVED. - Act less on impulse and more out of kindness.
I think I have managed to do this mostly. I feel comfortable with where I am. ACHIEVED. - Weed out the negativity.
Oh have I ever. ACHIEVED. - Make time to blog twice a week (it stimulates the muses, you know).
I think, on average, I actually managed this. ACHIEVED. - Take more pictures.
Yes, I did this. Not many more, but still more. ACHIEVED. - Stick with kickboxing.
Yes! I did this! Having a sparring partner really helps, and Becky has been a wonderful partner. Though I have missed the last few weeks due to that respiratory thing, I am looking forward to getting back to it! ACHIEVED. - Lose some weight.
Yes! I did this too! I have lost 23 pounds since July. I feel so much better, and I am amped to keep going! ACHIEVED.
So I think 2011 was a great year. Out of 16 goals, I achieved 14.5 of them. That makes me really happy.
Stay tuned for 2012: looking ahead!
Way to go, Rachel, and thanks for the great Voice Alpha guest post!
impressive! That you not only did this stuff, but made this list.