When I reviewed the past year of my life, it felt as if I hadn’t done a whole lot simply because my original goals list was largely undone.
However, I decided to make a list of what I did do (and many of these things I had to learn before I could do them!)
Just for fun, I thought I would share my list. Don’t worry, I won’t show you what I didn’t do. I like this list better. And you don’t have to read all of it – go ahead and skip to the bottom if you just want to catch the main point of all this.
1) Signed a book contract
2) Started website (with help of my publisher J)
3) Had my professional pictures taken for publicity
4) Devotional published in the Benefits Package
5) Sold Benefits Package books to friends and family
6) Promoted Benefits Package at craft fair with Merrie Hansen
7) Attended Writer’s conference in Kansas City (HACWN)
8) Learned google was my friend when “how?” was on the tip of my tongue (I could
Learn it myself)
9) Learned how to use gimp (free Photo Shop type software)
10) Redesigned website (by myself)
11) Designed header
12) Added newsletter sign up
13) Added PDF files on a page to download
14) Added Contact me page through google docs
15) Added social media buttons to website
16) Started Twitter account (still figuring out that one)
17) Wrote 124 blog posts (including)
18) A to Z challenge 2012 (26 posts in one month!)
19) Prologue and 13 Chapters of serial story (also “lost chapter” for giveaway.)
20) 3 short stories for website
21) Started using Pinterest
22) Started FB fan page
23) App tabs on FB fan page
24) Posting on FB: how to schedule
25) Uploading pics and videos to website and FB
26) Designing FB candy/cover photos/profile pictures, etc.
27) Christmas video series
28) How to use Google + hangouts for interviews
29) How to edit videos with Windows movie maker/upload
30) Started You Tube channel
31) Various posts for my writers group
32) First Edits on my book Bruised Reed
33) Wrote 2ndbook in series (still editing)
34) Experimenting with voice and subject of blog and videos
35) Set up Good reads account
36) Planned and wrote A to Z 2013 blog posts ahead of time!
37) Planned video series for 2013 (starting after A to Z challenge)
38) Planned book club questions for Bruised Reed
39) Other research and reading
40) Beginning networking
41) Trouble shooting my computer and getting it fixed!
42) On leadership team of writers group: helping to plan 1st conference and do website work
43) Homeschooled my two kids
44) Taught a girls Wednesday night class at church
45) Cooked lots of meals for my family
46) I no longer shake in my boots if I have to deal with a bit of HTML (don’t know a lot, but I can adjust a couple of things now)
47) Forwarded my old website to new domain
Whether by procrastination, the legitimate pull of life or a course correction to my marketing, one list didn’t get done. Some of it just as well left behind. But a list I never expected did get done during my learning curve year. Discovering my voice and purpose, learning about doing this thing called marketing and getting closer to seeing my book in print.
Life doesn’t always let us get to what we think is important. At least not in the way we think it should be done. It’s helpful to have a fluid plan, one that moves as life moves.
Reevaluate, readjust, and redirect our energy.
What are some of your accomplishments from the past year of your life? Did any of your accomplishments surprise you?
photo credit: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net // David Castillo Dominici
