Today’s blog post was to be an assessment of last Decembers goals for 2012. I’ve just looked back over them and am quite saddened by my lack of forward movement. I don’t particularly want to put them back out here for all to see my “failings”, but isn’t that what blogging is? To be honest. And that’s one thing I did post about a few months ago. Being as honest as I can on here, without it being at the detriment of family or life. So on that basis, lets look.
1. Read 50 books and in a variety of genres. I didn’t hit 50, but I wasn’t far short. I have started reading books outside of my preferred genre of crime, though I still veer towards crime fiction when choosing.
2. Start Pilates and another form of exercise. A complete and utter failure. I need to work on this.
3. Write book two. I’ve started, but due to having my head in the clouds, or up my arse, in goal number four, I have spent a lot of time doing re-writes for book one as I’m still looking for representation.
4. Have a publishing contract for book one. As I just said. Head up my arse.
5. Lose a stone in weight. This I did do! In three years I have lost three stone. I’m pleased with this. It’s been a long and slow journey, but I stuck to it and didn’t give in and I feel so much better and I’m in size ten jeans!
6. Make more quality connections when blogging. I changed from Blogger to WordPress this year and making that change has meant that I practically had to start from scratch. I also haven’t put as much time into blogging as I’d have liked, but I do like my new home on WordPress and I’m happy with how it’s going, and I love connecting with those of you I do.
7. Keep in touch with the people who are important to me. I do try and keep in touch with family and friends, even if it’s a simple text message.
So, as you can see, I didn’t do so well, and some goals were completely unrealistic.
I’m still finding it difficult to come to terms with the restrictions my ill health places on me. The fatigue and pain cut back on too much social activity and this can make me a little on the grumpy side. Luckily for most, Miss grumpy tends to only be seen by those closet to me!
It’s not all doom and gloom, there have been positives this year.
- I received valuable feedback from a literary agency and have done a re-write on my novel.
- I’m taking positive steps for my health by having acupuncture to help with the migraines and insomnia.
- I joined a book club, so I am both socialising with like minded people and widening my reading choices.
- I recognise I am lucky to have some really great friends.
I have also created a positive plan of action for 2013 which I am really excited about and will explain further in Wednesdays blog post.
I’m not a New Years Eve fan. But whatever you do today and tonight, I wish you nothing but wonderful things for 2013.
Annalisa Crawford says
Congratulations on the weight loss – a stone is fantastic! The transition between book one and book two is always hard because there’s usually so much still to do for book one, as you mentioned. I hope book two goes well for you next year!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Annalisa. I am thrilled about that loss. It’s been a long journey but I did it. Still a little more to go, but the bulk is done.
I’m hoping to get into gear with the first draft of book two starting this week. New year motivation and all 🙂
yasminselena says
I think your positives are really commendable. You should watch the last bit of Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead – Andy Garcia’s speech to the camera about his perspective on trying to achieve his Top 10 things : ) You’ve networked and made new writer friends, it’s been aces having you on my FB Circle : ) xx
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you for your lovely comment Yasmin. It has been absolutely lovely meeting you online this year. I will see if I can google my way for the end of that movie. Thanks!
Margot Kinberg says
Rebecca – First, congratulations on your weight loss. It takes effort and discipline to lose weight and keep it off. Good on you! It takes effort, discipline and lots of patience to get one’s books published, and I know you can do that too. Good on you for not giving up. Keep writing. Please. Keep. Writing.
As to the rest of your goals, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to admit I didn’t reach a goal. But that’s OK. If you aim for the stars, you might land on the moon, if you know what I mean.
A very good 2013 to you!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you for that Margot. You have been wonderfully supportive this year and I’m glad our blogs crossed paths.
Sometimes it feels really hard to keep going but I do, even if only at a snails pace and as you drew similarities with the loss, I can keep moving forward with the writing.
At the minute I’m motivated again. I’m holding onto that for as long as I can!
Vikki (The View Outside) says
I’m so jealous that you had last years list!
Onwards and upwards Rebecca 🙂
Happy New Year honey xx
Rebecca Bradley says
I got my list from last years blog post Vikki. My 2013 goals are coming up in the IWSG post 🙂
Happy new year. Here’s to a good one 🙂
crimethrillergirl says
Even if you didn’t manage to fit in everything, it sounds like you’ve made some really positive achievements. Congratulations. And on to 2013 – may it be filled with happiness, success and lots of books 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you. I suppose it’s easy to look at the negatives. Especially when put out for all to see. I’m hoping for more positives in 2013.
Happy new year. Have a great 2013!
Jane Isaac says
Your successes are definitely to be celebrated. Way to go, lady. Have a great 2013 :))
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you Jane. It’s always very easy to look at the negatives. Especially when admitting them publicly.
I’m feeling motivated for 2013 though, so watch this space 🙂
Happy new Year Jane. Wishing you much happiness and success for the coming year. X
Margaret says
I’ve just had a look at my goals and projects for 2012. Some I managed some I didn’t. I think it’s the same for most people. It’s good to be positive about it all. Well done for the weight loss that’s an achievement to be proud of. I’m not a fan of New Year’s Eve either but have a good 2013:)
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Margaret. I hope you had a good evening.
It’s probably unrealistic to believe we can meet all goals. Especially when I set some Unrealistically high. I’ve actually learnt a lot this year I think.
Wishing you all the best for 2013.
Linda King says
Rebecca – well done on all of it! It’s great to have goals to strive for but not achieving all of them is ok! I wish you every happiness and good health in 2013. See you on the 100k group page! x
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Linda. There were good things in there weren’t there? 🙂
Sometimes it’s hard wading through the negatives to find them, but they do need to be acknowledged.
I’ll see you on the challenge page!
Have a great 2013!
Elle Turner says
Looking at your positives I think you’ve achieved a lot this year. All the very best for 2013 🙂 xx
Joanne Phillips says
It sounds very positive to me – hitting your weight loss target is an amazing achievement, especially with an ongoing illness ( I know how hard that is). Tips, please??? 🙂 As for the rest of it, it’ll come. I’m happy to have found you and your blog, and I’m looking forward to sharing your journey in 2013. Happy new year, Rebecca xxx
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Joanne. Its been a slow road. Tips? The only one that worked was the same as with writing. Not giving in when it wasn’t going well. You know that time where you think – sod it, I’ve broken it anyway, I’ll just eat more- it’s being there and not eating more because its still about putting as less in as you can. The same as with writing I suppose, just we aim to keep putting out!
I’m also glad our blogs crossed paths. Here’s to a positive 2013 for us both!
glynissmy1 says
Happy New year! Great list to live by. I am trying to get organised in 2013 … not sure if I will manage it past Feb! LOL
Rebecca Bradley says
Happy new year Glynis. We do always start off well don’t we? It’s just keeping up that momentum that’s difficult.
Wishing you a great 2013!
tara tyler says
so you reached goals that werent spelled out, thats awesome! life can change our paths for us and you had a great year! keep up the good work!
and happy new year!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Tara. You’re right. I did hit some and there were positives. I now need to be even more positive in 2013 🙂
Mrs P. says
One of my goals this year is to ‘get out more’ to other people’s blogs, so hello!
This is a very honest post, but I’m glad that you focused on your positives / achievements too. I always see a set of goals as a work in progress, and figure that it’s probably not realistic for all of them to be achieved neatly in one year. I pretty much always carry some of my resolutions over, and am pleased if I manage to tick any off the list…
Happy New Year and all the best for 2013!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks for stopping by Mrs P, it’s lovely to see you here! And Happy New Year.
You’re right. Particularly with big goals, they do tend to roll through the years until achieved. Which shows in my next blog post where I’m still determined to get my goal 🙂
Kirsten says
I think you did fantastic on some of your goals! I don’t think I even came close to reading fifty books . ;(
And I’m really glad you came to WordPress. 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Kirsten. WordPress is much easier to use I find. Though more difficult up set up initially 🙂
As for reading goals. If I’m enjoying a book I can get through it fairly quickly, but a lot is dictated by life and time. I’d still like to read more but I’d be more of a reader than a writer and I’m trying to do both 🙂
julierkendrick says
Good luck Rebecca I look forward to reading about your successes this year. 🙂
Julie x
Joanna (Lazuli Portals Trilogy) says
Your weight loss achievement is fantastic; I’m just donating my size 10 jeans as I’m quite certain I’ll never fit into them again! (And if I can, then I’ll reward myself with a new pair!)
We’ve just changed to WordPress too, so I know that feeling of starting over. I find I spend more time on WP blogs than other platforms, as it’s so much easier to keep up-to-date with comments and feedback.
Health-wise, I understand, as I’m in the same place as you with finding what balance works best for me. It’s still not right, and it looks as though I’ll need to let a few things go.
Good for you for using your year-in-review to plan the best year-ahead you can. Have a good one.:)
Rebecca Bradley says
It’s really really difficult finding a balance and some days I’m just completely knocked off my feet and it makes me so frustrated. That’s why I have to try and learn to accept it, but no, it’s not easy. I wish you well with finding your own balance.
As for WordPress, I hated the initial getting to grips period, it seemed so difficult, but I much prefer it now and I’m glad I changed. You’ll get comfortable with it the more you use it.
Have a great year.