This
week, news programs review the past year. The good and the bad, mostly the bad.
Do you spend this time reviewing your life, career? Or are you thinking ahead
about the coming year?
The
name of the first month of the year comes from the Roman god, Janus, the
two-face god. Statues, like the one to the left, show him looking forward and backward. The time
between Christmas and New Year’s is a good time to do both.
Looking
back, 2015 was a good year over all. The high point was the birth of a
granddaughter, my son’s first child. Enjoying time with my other two
grandchildren, one (8 y.o.) is a reader like her grandmother as well as
a writer; the other (5 y.o.) taught me how to play Candy Crush. I’m not sure that
was a good idea. LOL. Reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, enjoying
fairly good health. Two trips to Arizona to visit our son and his family,
two to Indy to visit with my sister, a couple of shorter trips around
Michigan, my first airplane trip in eight years, which wasn’t too bad. And I
got back to sewing—something I haven’t made time for in years—making a jumper
for my older granddaughter and a dress for her doll.
On
the writing front, I released two books—The
Protector (An Outer Rim Novel, Book 3) and The Case of the Fabulous Fiancé (An Alex O’Hara Novel, Book 2). I
also wrote a short story for The Roses of Prose holiday collection. Alas, the
Christmas novella didn’t make it. Time got away from me. Maybe I could make it
a Christmas in July release. Hmmm.
What
does 2016 hold for us? Plenty of surprises, I would guess. I’ve already started
the next Alex O’Hara book, and I even have a title—The Case of the Meddling Mama. Hopefully, more trips. More time playing
with the grandkiddies. More sewing. Better time management. That’s the key. I
tend to go in spurts, getting totally immersed in a project to the exclusion of
everything else. Not good.
In
the past, when I’ve written goals (resolutions), I’ve tried to make them
specific (e.g., finish three books). While that’s good since it’s measurable, I
need to make one overall goal. A balanced life. Vague but more important than
the number of words written per day or books released. Keeping things in
perspective might be a better way to express the concept.
Share your old year accomplishments and/or new year goals. While you do that, I’m putting aside my computer to play with the grandbaby.
Balance . . . what a great goal! If one part of our life is out of sync, the rest often fails to compensate. I'm glad to put an end to 2015 with all its upheavals and start anew in 2016. Finding balance sounds like that solid rock upon which to build!
ReplyDeleteOoh, love your last sentence. Very appropriate. Hope your 2016 surpasses all the previous years!
DeleteI took the chance this year and quit a full time job to find balance. I'm glad I did it. I have more time for my family and less stress. I hope you have a wonderful 2016!
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Melissa. I'm glad there's less stress in your life.
Delete2015, in my opinion, went by too quickly and I don't feel I achieved a great deal, although I did have two mysteries released and managed to get one of my early romances out as an ebook. I'm looking forward to 2016. It's time to restart the energy.
ReplyDeleteI'd say 3 books released is a LOT, Maris. Restarting the energy sounds great.
DeleteI made a significant career change in 2015 - I retired after working for 38 years. Plus, we moved from Michigan to Montana, and we had some challenges when we got here. For 2016, I intend to work out a schedule to keep my writing on track, since I retired so I could do writing full time. I agree with Nancy, it's called balance. I wish you great success in your releases! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, Connie, for working out a schedule. That's what I need to do.
DeleteBalance and keeping things in perspective is definitely the key for me. This past year, I renovated two houses in two different states, and am now ready to concentrate more on my writing.
ReplyDeleteWow, Darcy. Renovating 2 houses? In different states? That's amazing. Best wishes on the writing.
DeleteI'm looking for more balance in 2016 as well, which could mean finding a way to turn off the noise in my head from a stressful day job so I can enjoy my life more....and write more.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Leah. I hope you can find that way to turn off the noise. Enjoying life more sounds easy but so hard to accomplish. Best wishes on that.
DeleteI released 4 short stories/novellas in 2015, and I completed a novella that was VERY late and sent it to my publisher. For 2016, I have the goal of managing my time more wisely and having a set writing and editing schedule. I need to finish several projects, especially in early 2016. Sounds like you had a great year. Mine was good, but yes, flew by way too quickly!
ReplyDeleteI'd sure like to know how to slow down time. So many projects, so little time. :) Good luck to you in 2016.
DeleteVery interesting Diane!
ReplyDeleteHere's wishing everyone a Blessed and Prosperous New Year!
Pamt
Thanks, Pam. Same to you!
DeleteA "balanced life" resonates with me. Weighing in on how to keep all the juggled balls airborne without losing my footing. Thanks for a thought-provoking post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. So often I feel like I'm going to lose my footing.
DeleteGreat post. Last year was a bit of a roller coaster so I'm hoping for a smoother ride in 2016.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with that, Marissa. So many ups & downs in this business.
DeleteCongrats on the great year. =) Mine was pretty good too. I still have to make my post about it and figure out my goals for 2016. I'm like you in I get focused on one thing and ignore others. not sure it's a habit I can break.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patricia. Maybe I need a timer so I'll quit what I'm working on and get in exercise or house chores.
DeleteBalance is key. I've lived both ways, and balanced is definitely better. I think each of us finds our balance differently, too. My balance includes working hard when it's time to work, but playing hard when it's time to play, and compartmentalize my life so I can focus on one thing at a time. It's odd, but works for me.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a wonderful 2015, Diane, and may your 2016 be even better!
Thanks, Alyssa. Compartmentalize. I should try that. It all adds up to finding balance. Best wishes to you in 2016.
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