2011's been a bit of a turbulent year. There were high spots (Rome and Vienna), and very low spots (the family crisis – guess I'd better not blog about that, but I do still believe that people are nice until proven otherwise. Certain people have been, ahem, proven otherwise in 2011 and I'm staying clear of them until they decide to alter their behaviour).
Last year's goals: well, I'm still rubbish at saying no and I haven't found a form of exercise I like enough to stick to. I have made some progress on the 'working smarter' front. It meant making some painful decisions; however, I know I've made the right ones, so hopefully 2012 is the year I'll get back on track.
I think the way to do it is to make 2012 a tortoise year. Quiet, slow progress. No mad rushing. And keeping it organised so things don't fall between the cracks. It does mean that I'll have to be a bit selfish, and I do have a problem with that – I'm a fixer, so it feels wrong to say no when people ask for help. However, I had a lot of things dumped on me in 2011, and as a consequence I didn't get as much work done as I needed to. I don't intend to repeat that. So I guess that's going to boil down to very clear communication (do I mean "nagging"?), pacing myself better, and going back to using a diary/schedule/to-do list. As for the exercise – I don't enjoy exercise and probably never will, but I need to stop making excuses and just get on with it.
So my resolution this year is to be a tortoise. I know what I want to do workwise, and I know what I need to do for my health; it’s all doable, provided I just get on with it quietly and don't let myself get distracted.
Next step: find a picture of a tortoise and stick it above my desk to keep me focused :o)
What are you going to be this year? I’d love to hear your goals, resolutions and plans!
8 comments:
I'm rubbish at sticking to NYR's. So my resolution this year is not to make any! But saying that I am determined to get some of my stories off to editors this year instead of chickening out by just keeping them in my bottom drawer! Caroline x p.s slow and steady is good BTW.
Kate,
Good luck with your "tortoise" year. You've more than earned the right to take it slow and steady! I tend to be a natural tortoise (staring off into the clouds instead of getting word done) that needs to borrow some of the organizational skills and drive of people like you ;-)
I'm due with my second baby in May and my oldest is starting school in late January. My goal is to get a rough draft of a new medical romance done and submitted before the baby gets here and oldest one's school is done for the year. After that, no real plans, I'm just going to see where life takes me. My oldest is still young enough that I remember what an upheaval a newborn can be! ;-)
Hoping 2012 brings you all the success and happiness you could wish for.
Caroline - good for you in getting those stories out. The worst that can happen is that they say no - and they might give you some useful feedback so you can tweak and resubmit. Go for it!
Jill - well done in setting yourself a goal, and all the very best with that. And although it's tricky writing with a newborn... well, my career as an M&B started at my second child's bedside when she was 6 weeks old (her first Christmas). M&B loved the partial, bought the full on her first birthday and it was published on her second birthday, so it can be done. Go for it!
Carol - thank you. You, too x
Happy New "Tortoise" Year, Kate! I hope that this year is a fabulous one for you!
Lacey - thank you! Hope yours is great, too xx
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