Friday, December 30, 2011

A New Year . . . and Resolutions

Anybody else coming?


It's that time of year to first look back and then ahead.

Definitions
resolution - A firm decision to do or not to do something 
goal - The result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.

I know a lot of people hate the idea of New Years resolutions. I don't have a problem with them. I'm a goal-setting person and a list checker offer. I love the list I made for myself for the last part of December and the feeling of focus and accomplishment I felt as I've been marking things off.



I'm also realistic. No way will I always be able to achieve the goals I set. But if I don't strive for something--and keep a reminder of it in front of me--I'm guaranteed to do nothing.

And the "keep it in front of you" is important. One year on New Year's Day, I wrote a list of goals for myself for the year in my journal. One included writing in my journal every day.

Um . . . the following year on New Year's Day I opened that journal again for the first first time in a year and saw those goals again.

Epic fail!

Whether I call them resolutions or goals, these are mine for 2012:
  • Query A Change of Plans
  • Make changes suggested by editor
  • Go to Kaua'i for 10 days in January -- I know, this is a tough one, but I gotta visit the grandkids! *sigh* It's such a terrible sacrifice. NOT!
  • Finalize the cover  for A Change of Plans in case I self-publish
  • In February attend Life, the Universe, and Everything (LTUE)
  • In March go back to Kaua'i for grandson's baptism
  • In May attend Storymaker
  • Finish my 2011 NaNo project in time to give the published book to my granddaughter for her  birthday in July (she's the main character).
  • Work through issues with my SciFi project, including doing a simple outline for turning it into a trilogy
  • Attend League of Utah Writers Roundup
  • Get a basic outline for my 2012 NaNo project (sequel to A Change of Plans)
  • Attend the Authors Incognito retreat for NaNo
  • Be glad it's not an election year . . . for me.
What about you? Are you a resolution / goal person? Do you have some things you'd like to accomplish in 2012?

22 comments:

  1. Wow, you've really got it all mapped out!
    My biggest goal is to complete my third book by this summer.
    Happy New Year, Donna!

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  2. I totally a goal person! Helps me stay sane :)

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  3. Wow! It sounds like you'll be attending lots of conferences! That's awesome, and I'm a little jealous. Thanks to the teaching gig (which, you know, pays the mortgage and stuff), I can't attend many events like that. ;)

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  4. That's a nice comprehensive list. You are way more organized than I.

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  5. You have awesome handwriting! Dude. Mine looks like a third grader's, lol.

    And you've got it all planned out. I think I need to come with you to Kaua'i. You know, moral support and all :)

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  6. Great list! I did some resolutions for this year. I need to be more organized because I have quiet a few projects I want to finish.

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  7. Resolutions/goals/lists...all good in my world!

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  8. I'm more of a do it and it's done type of person. But wow you really map things out..haha

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  9. Excellent goals, Donna! I wish I could put visiting Kauai on my resolution list :)

    All the best to you and your family in 2012!

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  10. Good luck with your goals, Donna! I'll be querying this year, too. :)

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  11. Loved the post Donna,I today wrote a poem about this past year in readiness for the future of the new year.

    Happy and healthy New Year to you Donna.

    Yvonne.

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  12. Great goals, Donna. Sounds like it will be a great year. I'll see you at LTUE!

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  13. Happy New Years, Donna :-)

    You've got great goals, but I must admit the one that gives me the warm and fuzzies is the story you want to finish for your granddaughter because she's the main character. How cool is that?

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  14. Good luck with your goals!

    I'm a resolution/goal person. Though I'm still thinking about what I want to do in 2012 . . .

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  15. Definitely a goal setter rather than a resolution maker. And I try not to set myself up for failure. My goals tend to be highly achievable.

    Happy New Year, Donna! May it be a blessed one! (And may we both find an agent in 2012!)

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  16. Going to Kaua'i twice will be a reward for all your had work! How wonderful for you. I am going to try to exercise and diet more this coming year. I think that's it!

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  17. Oh my gosh - your list is magnificent. Both of them, actually :)

    I am huge on resolutions and goals, but I haven't been "feeling" it yet, so I haven't set many. Pathetic, right? Ugh! I need to hop to it!

    However - I will see you at Storymakers and hopefully LTUE too! Wahoo!

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  18. I like the idea of making resolutions and setting goals in the new year, except that the only reason New Year's Day is on January 1st is because a French king decided to rewrite the calender, making his birthday the first day of the year. Celebrating a king's birthday just doesn't feel right to me.

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  19. Have fun in Kauai!! Yes I used to be a goal oriented, driven woman but now I take it all one day at a time. Healthier that way. Blessings to you for a wonderful New Year!

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  20. I like your list! Sounds like you'll be busy. All my goals are in my head at the moment. I do need to write them down and post them above the desk. Now I just need to use the desk more when I work :). I know you'll get the story for your granddaughter in time. I know she'll love it.

    Have a happy New Year!
    Melanie

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  21. HNY!

    why are there so many good writers' events in utah?
    maybe i need to move...

    way to be organized!

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