January 31, 2011

Update on My New Year's Resolutions

So, about a month ago I listed my goals for 2011... now, it's time to look back and see whether I've made any progress toward my goals...

Here are the goals I set and my progress toward each:
  • Find a good job. After leaving school, I am not bringing in any money. I have to find a job, and I need to do it quickly. I've put in a lot of applications and I'm hopeful. Hopefully, this is a January resolution instead of a year long resolution.
    So far, I haven't found a job.  However, I've had two really good interviews.  Both are for good jobs that I would love to have!  I should find out whether or not I was selected for the first job sometime this week, and I have a second interview for the second job this week.  The waiting is killing me.  In some ways it is good because I can still hold out hope that I'll get one of the jobs... but in other ways, it's bad because I am so excited about the prospect of getting one of the jobs that I just want to be told that I have it.  I guess the good/bad ratio depends on whether I get either job.  If I get one, then I hate the wait.  If I don't get one, then I will want to go back to the waiting period where I still had hope.
  • Run a half marathon. I completed my first half marathon in 2010, but I didn't run the entire thing. I had to walk quite a bit. This year, I want to run all 13.1 miles.
    No half marathons yet.  In fact, I haven't worked very hard on my training for it... however, that all changes today.  I'm starting to eat right and train today.  It's time!  Hopefully, at the end of next month I'll be able to report that I've made progress toward my goal!
  • Run a marathon. My husband and I have decided to sign up for a full marathon after we complete our half marathon, and I want to run the entire thing.
    Same as the previous... nothing to report yet... but everything changes today!
  • Start selling my jewelry. I've decided to take another leap this year. I'm going to try to believe in myself and start up an etsy store and sell my jewelry. I'm also going to contact some local bridal stores and see if they will carry some of my jewelry. I'm hoping to start taking custom bridal/wedding party/ bridesmaid gift orders.
    I haven't started selling yet.  I still need to figure out some tax and other business type things.  However, I've been working on making jewelry and trying new techniques so that I have something to list when I open my store.  I think I will try to create a jewelry catalog this month so that I have something to show bridal stores when I talk to them!
  • Blog at least 4 times a week. In 2010, my blogging was spurradic. I had months where I blogged a lot, and other months where I hardly blogged at all. In 2011, I want to make sure I blog at least 4 times each week. I also want to improve the photos I take for the blog.
    Well, I think this is my 12th blog for January, so that is not quite four times a week... but a lot better than last year.  I'll try to increase to my goal next month and keep up the blogging all week long.  But, I'm happy with 12 blogs this month.  It's a pretty good improvement.  I just have to work to get even better!
  • Learn to make glass beads. My wonderful husband bought me a lampwork bead making kit for Christmas, and I can't wait to try it out. I have wanted to learn to make glass beads for awhile and want to jump in and do it this year.
    I haven't set up an area where I can work on making glass beads yet.  I also need to purchase the correct eye protection.  It's still going to happen this year... just not in January.
  • Get back in shape. The last few years have been difficult on me. I've dealt with depression, anxiety, and my father's suicide. I let my workout routine get away from me. I want to start working out regularly and get myself back. I think it will improve my confidence and make me feel better all around.
    This one is the one I'm the sorriest about not working on yet.  It's so easy to put it off for a day... every day.  Then, at the end of the month you haven't done anything.  Today that changes.  I've taken out my work out log/ food journal and I'm going to hold myself accountable.  February is going to be a great month!  I'm ready now.
So, as you can see, I haven't made much progress toward my resolutions.  But, I'm trying not to be too hard on myself.  I have the whole year to accomplish these things.  I'm re-evaluating and figuring out what I need to change to make them happen going forward!  Right now, the most important thing is finding a job, so I'm putting a lot of time ad energy into finding a job... but that doesn't mean I can't work on the other things at the same time.

Kell

5 comments:

Dawn Doucette said...

How do you eat an elephant?
One bite at a time!

Taking the first step by looking for a new job is a biggie Kell! Once you have that secured, the rest of the pieces of the puzzle will start to fall into place. In part because your mind won't have to worry about the $ so you can pursue things you enjoy (jewelry) and things that are necessary (getting back in shape.)

I'm here to support you on your journey! Good luck with the two job prospects!
{Hugs!}

Kell said...

Hi Dawn! Thanks for the encouragement. Finding a job is tough. Right now, I'm a bit of a mess because one of the jobs I interviewed for is my dream job... and I'm supposed to find out about it this week. So, I just keep thinking "call me and offer me the job" over and over again in my head. It makes it hard to do much else. We're also in the middle of construction on our house (we started renovating our kitchen before Christmas... and it still isn't done). Once the kitchen is finished andI find a job, I think I'll be able to relax. I can't waitto get my life on whatever track it is supposed to be on!

Patricia JL said...

Good luck. Especially with the marathon. I'd die if I tried!
The bridal shop idea is great though, I hope you find one. Just remember when you start, keep good records. With mine I have a chart for sales, supplies, post office expenses, vendor fees and shopping cart fees. When I took it in to get my taxes done, the H&R lady probably wanted to hug me! So good, neat records are a must in my opinion.

Kell said...

Hi Patricia!
Thanks for the suggestions. Taxes are one of the things that have kept me from selling up to this point. I don't know how taxes work when you are self employed. I will definitely get myself organized (a big task for me ;)) and keep good records though!
Kell

Patricia JL said...

Bah! I have no idea how taxes work either, I went to H&R Block for that. I just know you collect sales taxes form instate sales. Out of state sales, I think you're suppose to collect, but from what my dad says, no one does. SHH, don't tell the IRS.

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