I've never been much for New Year's Resolutions, despite my goal-oriented nature. In fact, I have never put that much emphasis on New Years, in general. Sometimes I don't even stay awake til midnight. What can I say? One year in California we decided to party with the East Coasters at 9pm, watch the ball drop and head to bed. Its just not my thing.
Instead, I usually set professional goals for myself in the fall (its probably the former teacher in me). This past September I launched this blog and embarked on my 10 month war against dabbling.
I also set personal goals for myself on my birthday each year. This past year I created a list of 37 Things To Do When 37. I am proud to say that I have accomplished many of them...but still have 4 months to try and complete them all. We shall see. If not, come April 17th I will be transferring some of them on to my 38 Things To Do When 38 list. :)
But this New Year is different. 2012. Whoah.
Why?
Well, first, I am going to be running the ING NYC Marathon on November 4th. This will be my very first marathon. The longest I have run is the NYC Half Marathon (13.1 miles) in March 2011. This is huge! And I am focusing on this goal from this day until November 4th. So, 2012 to me means building running endurance, taking lots of boot camps to strengthen and slim down my entire body, and overal mentally preparing. I have always said I wanted to run the NYC Marathon before I turned 40...so November 4, 2012...Bring It!
Secondly, I have enrolled to participate in Julie Hedlund's 12 x 12 in '12 challenge. What does this mean? It means that I will be working to write 12 Picture Book Manuscripts in the 12 months of 2012...one per month.
There are monthly prizes for participants, guest posts from those in the picture book industry and a great community of fellow particpants in the Facebook group Julia has set up for the challenge. You can also follow the #12x12in2012 hashtag on Twitter.
So....yes, 2012 looks to be a busy one. I look forward to sitting at my favorite pub on December 31, 2012 and raising a glass to accomplishments! I might be raising that glass at 6pm before passing out from exhaustion...but midnight or no midnight, this girl is getting it done in 2012.
Now I have some work to do...excuse me. :)
What goals have you set for yourself this year? I'd love to hear all about them. And if you are a Picture Book writer, please consider joining 12 x 12 in '12. :)
Happy Writing!
I think we are kindred spirits, Marcie :) You celebrate New Year's the way I do, and your birthday is 3 days after mine (although I'm a smidge older than you :)) I also tend to set goals at the start of the school year, although I have no legitimate excuse for that! Love your goals. I have the same 12X12 one, but I will not be running the NYC Marathon. A half-marathon is enough for me, thank you very much, and I haven't even done one of those for many a moon. My husband and my brother run the NYC Marathon every year, though!
ReplyDelete(And if you were wondering, the definition of smidge as it is used above is more than 3 days and less than a decade :))
Wow Marcie, congratulations on your goal to run the NYC marathon. I am always impressed with people who manage marathons. Like Susanna, a half-marathon is, and will probably remain, my longest distance.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to have you on board for the 12 x 12 challenge! It's going to be a good year!
Good luck in your marathon training!You are going to have a great and productive year, I can FEEL it!
ReplyDeleteScorpio power...my bday is October 31. I'll be 29 years old (again). And no way will I be running in any marathon! However, I will happily cheer you on! Susanna, come on over and share my birthday cake!
ReplyDeletePower to you! I'm a fellow marathoner, but I've never done NCY. I'd love to do one of the big east coast marathons. Maybe before I turn 40.
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