Friday, January 1, 2010

New Years Resolutions?


Traditionally at this time of year people take time to reflect on the accomplishments, good decisions and bad for the past year, and set some goals for the coming year. I think it's a natural human trait to stop and assess where we are in our lives. The closing of a year is a good time to think about what we want to accomplish in the coming year.

When I was a much younger woman, New Year's resolutions were a popular tradition. I've noticed that it's a tradition that seems to be passing away pretty much. And perhaps that's not a bad thing. Resolutions somehow are so concrete that they set us up for failure when we can't keep them. Personally, I believe setting goals is more positive. A goal is something you can strive for, yet it isn't a failure it you don't reach that goal. It's a destination, not the journey.

I have some private goals that I won't share. Unlike some who write blogs, I believe there are some things not meant to be shared with the general public. If you believe you are a close enough friend to inquire about my private goals, drop me a line!

But there are some professional goals that I feel free to share with you, my readers and fellow writers.

A) I want to finish four books this year. Finish, polish, and submit them. That may be a relatively modest goal, but I'm a veteran of the "life interferes" wars so if I accomplish more I'll be very happy, but if not... then four books will be very good.

B) I want to develop a feasible promotion plan that doesn't rob me of time to write OR time with my family. I have noticed the internet can turn into a sinkhole that swallows every bit of time we allow it to take. That's time that never can be recovered. So all those minutes I kid myself that I'm promoting my books? They won't be happening in 2010.

C) I want to read and meditate more. There are days when I swear that my mind is so fuzzy I can't put two thoughts together. Life bombards us with so much sensory input its a miracle that any of us are sane. So I plan to make time for more quiet space in my life.

D) I want to physically meet with my friends. There's a problem with this. Most of my friends live in other parts of the world. So... I can either travel so I can visit with the friends I have. Or I can make more friends locally. It seems to me that both options should be doable. So hopefully, I'll be traveling more this year.

What about you? What are your goals for 2010? Tell me about them. I'll draw one poster at random for a free book--one of my e-books of your choice.

anny

7 comments:

  1. I was 50/50 on my resolutions last year, so I also decided to switch to goals:)

    -Write at least 2 books
    -Submit more
    -Have at least two releases this year.
    -Finish at least one wip.
    -Attend at least one professional conference.

    (tossing confetti at you and the grandkids:) Happy New Year! I reeeeeaaaalllllllllly hope I get to meet you this year!!

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  2. ooh, I like the meeting with friends part! Any time you're over this way...

    My goals? (Don't do resolutions either.) Quite simply to greet each new day and give it my best.

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  3. Great goals, Anny.

    My goal is to make better choices every day, in all aspects of my life. I figure that covers everything. :-)

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  4. No goals...just see what turns up in life and go from there

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  5. I do know I want things to be different this year and that does involve setting some goals. I want to maintain a high fruit/vegetable intake on a daily basis. I want to continue to enlarge the cleared spaces in the house. So looking forward to the new year.

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  6. When we were younger, we'd write out our NYs resolutions then open them the following NY.
    I like your prof goals. Let me know if you come up with a good one for marketing.

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  7. I just want to be well. Called Dr and getting the ball rolling to find out what the heck is my problem??
    RE: the fat cat, I would have to get a new basket for Miss Kallie, she's about this ones size. She can put your leg to sleep if she stays in your lap long.,LOL

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