Quarterly Check-In On New Year’s Resolutions

I’m surprisingly pleased with my Q1 results regarding  my New Year’s Resolution Implementation Program. Call it something serious and you take it more seriously–at least I do.

Here’s my quarterly update:

1. Lose 35 lbs and keep it off.–Since last December, I lost a total of 10 lbs which I have kept off to date. 
2. Exercise 4-5 days per week.–More like 3-4 days a week. Two days of cardio, two days of toning.
3. Follow a low-carb eating regimen.–Hit and miss. But getting back on it again. It works, it’s just hard to limit sweets. They are my favorite reward.
   
4. Self-publish my novel, The Six Train to Wisconsin.–60% done. Createspace is formatting interior, book cover is created, ebook is being formatted by me. Blog tour and book tour are being set up. Reviews are being requested. 
5. Find a full-time job and move back to a major or minor city.–This got back-burnered while I work on #4.
6. Submit my third manuscript to agents and publishers.–After I finished revising in January, I sent out to a few agents and editors from the SCBWI Summer Conference because they had a time limit on submissions. I’d like to get beta reader feedback before submitting to a wider range of agents. 

2012 New Year’s Resolutions

It’s that time of year again. We say goodbye to last year’s failed attempts and start fresh with some goal setting. So here are my 2012 New Year’s Resolutions:

1. Lose 30 lbs and keep it off.
2. Exercise 4-5 days per week.
3. Follow a low carb eating regimen.
4. Edit my YA manuscript and submit to 30 agents.
5. Submit my adult manuscript to 50 agents.
6. Finish drafting my third manuscript.
7. Edit my third manuscript.
8. Spend more time playing with my dog, Emerson.
9. Go to Hawaii or Germany.

2011 Resolutions Update

Resolution #1: Lose 35 lbs in 2011 and keep it off.

Status: Lost 22 lbs total and then gained half back by the end of the year. Overall, I lost and kept off 10 lbs.

Resolution #2: Finish drafting my second novel by May 2011.

Dunzo!!!!  Finished drafting March 31! Finished editing July 1. Started querying agents in mid-September. Got a couple requests. Did another round of revisions.

Resolution #3: Send out queries until someone falls in love with my YA novel.

Sent out 117 queries for my first book. Waiting to hear back on a full request. Decided to revise in January/February and attend SCWBI conferences in January and April.

Resolution #4: Meditate and play with Emerson more.

Taking walks once or twice a week with Emerson. Meditate a couple times a week.

Resolution #5: Speak my mind  when asked.

Find I enjoy saying no. It’s nice not to bow to social pressure and do things I hate. People tend to appreciate tactful honesty a few weeks after the fact.

4/5 done pretty well. That’s a B. I can live with a B. But next year, I’m going to tackle the weight loss with absolute gusto.

Update on NYE Resolutions

Resolution #1: Lose 35 lbs in 2011 and keep it off.

Progress: Dropped 1 more lb.

Resolution #2: Finish drafting my second novel by May 2011.

Plan: Finish manuscript in March and begin revising in April because my teacher has offered to look at it for me.

Resolution #3: Send out queries until someone falls in love with my YA novel.

Progress: Sent out batch of queries this week with new revised manuscript ready to go.

Resolution #4: Meditate and play with Emerson more.

Progress: Meditate before bed most nights. Snuggle with and petting Emerson. Haven’t been playing with him enough.

Resolution #5: Speak my mind  when asked.

Progress: Disagreed with two people. Politely. And said No when I didn’t want to do something.

 

How are you going on yours? If you had a rough start, Chinese New Year is coming up, so get focused because you get a do-over!