I guess it’s that time again. Time to write a sort of “accountability” post and try to hold myself to the goals I’ve made for myself for the coming year.
While I did “o.k.” last year, I want to improve for 2023. So, on Jan 1st I sat down with my brand-new Traveler’s Notebook and snazzy new (to me) fountain pen and scribbled (literally) down what I wanted to accomplish this year.
Let me apologize for my penmanship. I will cling to the excuse that I’m left-handed in defense of my sloppy handwriting until the day I die! If only I had my dad’s penmanship. He has the nicest handwriting, for a man, that I think I’ve ever seen.
Taking some of my own advice (corroborated by some insightful reader comments), I’ve decided to be a bit broader in my goals.
Anyway, here’s the list :
“Read more / finish one book” : I’m still working on Vahalla Rising by Clive Cussler and Jabin Kainos and the Manifest Chronicles by Vince Mancuso and think I could probably finish them both. I’ll settle for just one, though.
“Take better care of myself. Work out, walk, bike. Make it an excuse-free year.” : While I’m not yet where I’d like to be on this one, I have made some headway and will cut myself some slack because the week is only three weeks old. I’ve been going on walks almost daily and that’s a good start.
“Let the people important to me know how valuable they are.” : While pretty nebulous, I will be honest as to whether this gets done. This one stemmed from a scare over Christmas concerning my dad’s health. He was fine, and it was a good wake-up call for someone who’s been smoking for over 60 years.
“Don’t dwell on failures and regrets” : Another nebulous one but, again, one I plan on being totally honest about.
“Journal more and find value in it” : While I didn’t say “journal every day” (See? I am learning!) I have been doing so and taking a more relaxed approach to it. I will jot a few things down in the morning and then come back in the afternoon / evening with an update or more musings. I’m still looking for the value which everyone tells me is there. Again, the year is still young. As of this writing, I have been doing this every day.
“Draw more.” : Any amount would be ‘more’ so I think I’ll do o.k. with this one :)
“Be less lazy.” : Self-explanatory, I think. A yearly one, as well.
“Be a better person.” : One I strive for every year and like to think I do o.k. with.
I think “Get back to my writing routine” will be creeping onto the list as I’ve been very lax with that for the past few months (which, I guess, is obvious). Sometimes the distractions overtake the motivation and that’s where I’ve been, which makes me glad I didn’t decide on writing to make a living. Seriously, though, a better focus on getting back into a writing routine is due and something I’ll definitely be adding to the list.
What resolutions / goals are you setting for the new year?
Let me know, down below!
I don't know that I've ever made any new years resolutions. For those things that are most important or that I want to focus on, I take small, intentional steps toward. For example, I don't ever say I want to lose weight. I say Im going to do 15-30 minutes of an activity daily. Doesn't really matter what so long as I establish a pattern. For writing a novel, I'm starting with some chapter outlines, maybe writing some scenes, and then eventually pages, but I'm not going to "write a novel" this year until I look back and discovered I've written a novel 😉
No resolutions for me either, Mark, and that’s good...because I’m sure I would have broken all of the by now!