July 8th Resolutions

I decided to make resolutions for myself in July. I needed to set some goals and that was just the time to make them. Here are my resolutions and how I fared.

Originally posted July 8, 2009:

I’m making some new resolutions. Why not? Why make January 1 the only date where we impose formidable goals for ourselves? Besides, I'm tired of the January resolutions (that maybe didn't work out so well.)

Actually, I sort of like the idea of a mid-year goal. Yes---I know. The year is more than half-way up. Even better, though! I’m making a resolution to do things that I’ve actually already started.

I think I’m going to impose time-limits and reviews on my resolutions. See how they’re working out for me or if they need to be tweaked in a few months.

Now, without further ado, my resolutions:

Do a better job with my record-keeping for my taxes. (Pictured—me giddily thinking how nice it will be to write stuff off on my taxes next spring.) My inspiration for this resolution was a recent post on Diane Wolfe's blog. I’m going to use the stuff-everything-into-an-envelope method. But at least that means that I’ll have the receipts next year. I was really kicking myself this past March when I did my taxes---I could have written off many things if I’d just kept the darned receipts.

Update: I’ve got a big paper bag stuffed with receipts for everything from pencils, paper, and printer ink to hotel and gas receipts for my trip to Memphis. I give myself an A+ on this resolution. Tax season? Bring it on.

Keep more on top of social media, marketing, and publishing trends. I have this really foreboding feeling that everything is about to turn topsy-turvy and if I don’t pay attention, I might go the way of the dinosaurs. If we’re all heading to e-books I should just keep my mouth shut and try to adjust. Que sera sera. And I need to find out exactly what the heck Flickr is (and why the application leaves out the ‘e’ from its name. Which really irritates me.)

Update: I’ve kept on top of social media, but I still don’t understand Flickr and its odd and annoying spelling. I give myself a B+ on this one.

Read more. I miss the time I used to spend reading. Nowadays I’ve just got to schedule it in instead of acting like it will just spontaneously happen. But I think you’ve got to keep reading to be a good writer. Besides, there are so many books on my to-read list right now. And spending time at my local bookstore (and having the staff know who I am) has got to be a good thing.

Update: I have read more. It was in spurts and I didn’t make a dedicated time for it, but I fit it in daily. I’ll grade myself as an A- for this resolution.

Balance my writing schedule better. So I’ve got to write, revise, and market all at the same time. I just need to get over it, stop complaining, and thank my lucky stars I'm in this situation. Figure out how to keep from shortchanging one book for the sake of the other.

Update: I’ve still got room to grow for time management. The days I followed my plan, it worked out really well. The problem was when I got off-course and ended up taking time away from my family. My goal remains to finish writing tasks before 2:00 each afternoon. Grade: B.

Just say no. Because I can’t. And my time is getting completely eaten up by stuff I shouldn’t be doing.

Update: Bleh. Grade: C. Or maybe a D. :) I tried to divest myself of one big responsibility but then was talked back into doing it! I’m a pushover. But I’m working on it.

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Sooo….it went pretty well, overall. I think I’ll keep these same resolutions and check back in with my progress later. I think I do better to have resolutions that get updated and graded every 5 or 6 months. :)