Monday, January 21, 2013

Belated Year-end Review

So, confession. I did not make any resolutions this year. Nary a one.

I had good intentions, but we were on vacation, then life was coming fast, and next thing I know, here I am, 3 weeks into the new year with nothing done.

But if you recall last year's discussions about resolutions vs. goals, well, let's just say that I always have goals I'm working on. And I actually did accomplish quite a bit this past year.

So today I'm giving you my top 5 goals accomplished in 2012:

1. I ran a half marathon. To be honest, it still boggles my mind that I ran for 2 hours and 15 minutes straight. That's a long time. And I don't know if I can ever make myself do such a thing again. But I did it ONCE! And man was I proud of myself. (You won't mind a little bit of pride to seep through here, will you?)

2. I started the Hacky Sack Club with the fabulous Amy Sonnichsen. This was not a goal I set, but rather something that grew from connecting with a kindred spirit. I am particularly proud of this one because I tend to be extremely reserved. Did you just die of shock? Yes, despite all the crazy videos I've posted in the past year, I am a VERY reserved person. Not shy, per se, but I do tend to keep my talents and deepest passions inside. Breaking out of that just a little, and sharing myself a little more with others has been surprisingly satisfying. So THANK YOU for indulging me with it all. And P.S. It's still open to members! ;)

3. I moved half-way across country without dying or killing anyone. Overexposure to the question "Are we there yet?" almost did me in, but fortunately we discovered the cure in time: "Here, play with my iPod."

 4. I finished writing a book. A book I've been in love with since the idea first struck me. We shall see what happens with it from here, but let's just say that IT'S AWESOME! I know, humility and all that. Sorry. But if I don't love it, how can I hope others will?

5. I signed with an agent. *Heehee* I still giggle when I say that. And I still sometimes go back and read the e-mails to make sure it's real. In truth, I don't feel like this is something I really accomplished, but rather something I've been working toward for a long time that finally came to pass. But since this IS a writing blog, I thought it should count.

So how about you? What did you accomplish in 2012?

12 comments:

Jessica Bell said...

Wow, you've done a lot! So proud of you about the agent. It's very rare these days, it seems. I wish you all the best of luck with that! :-)

Stina said...

You have been busy, Janet. I once ran a marathon distance just for the heck of it (I was on my own at the time). I ran it in less than 3 hours and my friend told me I had better enter a real marathon after that accomplishment. I never did. :)

Dianne K. Salerni said...

Oh, I would say that signing with an agent IS an accomplishment! That's a lot of accomplishments over one year. I hope 2013 sees just as many!

As for me, in 2012 I stepped outside my comfort zone, wrote a book in a new genre (even though I didn't think I could pull it off) and surprised myself with where it took off from there.

Old Kitty said...

Compared to you? NADA! LOL!!! Yay for your most AWESOME 2012 year!! More to come! Take care
x

Anonymous said...

Running a half marathon and signing with an agent are both AWESOME!! CONGRATS to you!

Myrna Foster said...

Thanks for sharing these!

I've never ran anything longer than a 10K competitively, and I have yet to feel like I've finished a novel. I'm hoping to get there with my novel in the next couple of months, though.

Hmm. Last year, I started a reading program that worked and found that teaching preschoolers to read is pretty awesome. :o)

Bethany Elizabeth said...

So you must have signed with an agent while I was off on blogging hiatus, so let me so OMG CONGRATULATIONS I DIDN'T KNOW THAT'S FANTASTIC I'M SO GLAD FOR YOU THAT'S GREAT NEWS!!! :D :D :D

Sounds like a wonderful year!

Susanna Leonard Hill said...

Awesome, amazing accomplishments! Congratulations on all of them, Janet! I don't have much to show for 2012 - I visited a LOT of colleges with my son - does that count? :)

Slamdunk said...

Definitely a packed 2012.

You could have said "cross-country move" and stopped there--and I would have applauded you.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Janet .. what a lot of ticks - running that marathon must be amazing ... then the Hacky Sacky Club, and the book and the agent ... and then that move across the country ..

I'm tired just now - gotta take care of myself ... !!

2013 is my year ... just about to get and go with it .. a new life ahead .. cheers Hilary

LTM said...

VERY impressive w/the half marathon! That's something I don't see myself ever doing... LOL! :D And moving--ugh! That was my 2011!

Super congrats (again) on the book and the agent! I think you and I need to do another challenge myself! :D I've got to get Rouge #2 done...

As for my 2012, oh, yanno. A little of this and a little of that. :D xoxo *hugs*

nutschell said...

Congrats on your many achievements! Finishing a book and getting an agent are things to be proud of!
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com