Before I contemplate my resolutions ("goals") for 2008, I thought I would take a look back and see if I accomplished what I set out to do in 2007. Won’t you join me?
In 2007, I resolved to…
Finish my M.A. in Humanities. I accomplished this in May.
Apply to the MFA in Creative Writing program at Bennington College. I had actually forgotten about this resolution. I was fixated on MFA programs toward the end of 2006 but have been caught up in finishing my MA and working on my certificate in Women’s Studies. I won’t rule it out for 2008, however.
Develop a five-year plan… but don’t be constrained by it. I drafted this out over the summer. I actually went to ten years, though there are a lot of blanks to fill in.
Celebrate my fortieth birthday. Really celebrate it. I think spending a week in my favorite city-- London-- counts as really celebrating my fortieth birthday.
Keep learning… even when I’m not in the classroom. I didn’t take any non-academic classes as I had planned, but I did learn a lot about teaching a class. I am not completely satisfied with this one, though. I should have learned more this year.
Be as good to myself as I am to others. This is another one I don’t think I accomplished entirely. It’s a work in progress.
Take a chance on something big. I wrote and sold my first novella, but I don’t know if that counts as something big. This was intended to be my wildcard resolution-- to encourage myself to say “yes” to whatever adventures the universe throws my way. Not an accomplishment so much as a reminder.
So… what to resolve for 2008? Travel, education, health, adventure… what else? I have four days to figure it out!
What do you resolve to do in 2008?
at 10:37 PM Life. Love. Writing. Friendship.
Sex. Books. Movies. Travel. Politics. Feminism. Academia. Insomnia. Rants. Raves. Chocolate. Lots of chocolate. Some names have been changed, some stories have been embellished. Thanks for stopping by and beware of the dog. Read more...
Ah, resolutions… I make them all the time, although at any other time of year I call them goals (the unenlightened inhabitants of my home call them lists), so I don’t generally get worked up over “resolutions.” I think I may “take a chance on something big,” however. That is, if I can recognize something big when it comes my way…
Wishing you peace in 2008,
Amy
Well, I see you have stolen some of mine!
To be blunt, I did so well accomplishing my 2007 goals, I am a bit intimidated for ‘08. I think, keep going in this direction but not be so rigid about my writing schedule. Open my mind to the other things I maybe, kinda, might want to do or be called to do. To not take myself so seriously in some aspects and *more* seriously in others. Read more! I have gotten to the point where it takes me weeks to finish a book I could normally ‘eat’ in a day. That is horrid. Play with my kids more. As they grow up the ‘play’ is different but I don’t do it nearly enough. And finally: ban the word ‘should’. Should should be expunged from the world! I can spend hours, days, weeks, months shoulding all over myself and it never does a damn thing other than make me feel like a failure.
Aren’t you glad you asked!
Hope your holidays are and continue to be wonderful.
xo
S
Thanks, Amy! Same to you and Tom.
Sommer, your accomplishments in 2007 stagger me. I’m not kidding. If I were half as productive as you, I’d take 2008 OFF.