Last updated on December 27, 2011 by Liza Hawkins
Can you believe it’s almost January already? Twenty-freakin-twelve??
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| Photo: Then Again Photography |
I don’t know about you, but 2011 has flown by for me, and it hasn’t felt like an orderly pace either. More like mayhem and chaos – in a good way.
You may have heard stories of a 1979 Harvard study (or a 1953 Yale study, depending on who you talk to) showing that in order to be successful, you need to set goals – written goals. Turns out that study never happened at Harvard (or Yale). However, based on hearing about these mythical studies, and wanting to see if the rumors were, in fact, true, Dominican University did create a study of their own. And guess what? The study showed that people who wrote down their goals were more successful at meeting them. Imagine that. Here’s the article with more detail, if you’re interested in reading further.
As it turns out, even though I seem to operate well in mayhem and chaos, I actually prefer order. I guess most of us do; it’s simply a matter of focusing long enough to make it happen, and writing down our goals.
Also? It’s a matter of creating an action plan, complete with listing the barriers that might get in the way for each goal, in addition to mapping out how you’ll get there. (This action plan part, by the way, is the hardest part of all. I know. Who has the time, right? Make time. The “action plan” piece can make such a positive impact to your success.)
Here are my 2012 goals (so far) – action plans still looming:
- Create a true editorial calendar, not just for (a)Musing Foodie, but also for my freelance work.
- Organize my office (newly created in 2011) so that I’m able to run the freelance portion of my writing from a more business-minded perspective – read: file drawers and folders vs. piles.
- Find a good deal on a new, bigger, stronger laptop before my “little laptop that could” finally kicks the bucket. Soon.
- Carve out more evening and weekend time where the laptop is shut and family-time is primary (#1 should help with this).
- Start writing a novel.
- Find another conference to attend.
- Spend more time with my girlfriends.
- READ. Like real, genuine books. (My book club will be happy, and so will I).
- Continue running more 5Ks, and maybe even a 10K (yikes!).
What are your goals for 2012?
Does that mean you are thinking of running the 10k with me? (YEAH)
Your goals are similar to mine. Want to keep each other accountable?