How did I go with my 2021 goals?
To say that 2021 has been a big year doesn’t really do it justice. With the literal and figurative storms I’ve dealt with, it’s a marvel I got anything done! Today I look back at my goals for the last 12 months, and share whether I achieved them. Come and join the reflection!! →
To say that 2021 has been a big year doesn’t really do it justice. In my part of the world, COVID-19 continued to wreak havoc, sending us into multiple lockdowns, and there were several natural disasters. On top of that, I moved out on my own for the first time, started new roles at my day job, and even set up my own publishing business! So life has been pretty hectic.
Back in January, I predicted that the next 12 months would bring their own set of challenges, and I…wasn’t wrong. We can’t always control the things that happen in our lives, but one thing we can control is how we deal with them. And screaming at the top of our lungs is definitely a valid option!! I went into 2021 with my eyes open, and decided to approach it with an attitude a little like the below…
Let’s just say it stormed pretty damn hard in 2021—both literally and figuratively in my state. Sometimes I danced and sang when the sh*t hit the fan, and sometimes I belly-flopped onto my bed and wanted to never get up again. I’ve tried to make the most of it, managed to get through it, and am honestly pretty happy with where I’m at right now. So that’s success! I hope you’re all as well as can be, and thanks again for another great(?) year!!
I set myself *only* five goals for 2021, with the intent of being able to dedicate more time and effort to each. That was definitely a good call! With so much going on this year, I think I would have gone mad if I planned to do anything more. Let’s see how I went…
Publish 3-4 content posts + 1 update post per quarter
ACHIEVED?
SUMMARY: Throughout 2021, I successfully published 4x content posts and 1x update post each quarter, except for Q2 where I published 3x content posts. My final update for the year is coming tomorrow! I don’t know how I used to weekly or fortnightly, but I suppose it’s been a busy year! I’m proud of the new content I’ve put out there, and thank everyone who has engaged with it.
Finalise publishing pathway for Holding Up the Sky
ACHIEVED?
SUMMARY: This was one promise to myself I intended to keep…and I did! Back in September, I announced my decision to self-publish my contemporary YA novel Holding Up the Sky after almost 2 years of querying agents and publishers. I’m so excited about this, and also slightly terrified! This book baby of mine will be published in late 2022 by my new publishing business, Southscript Press.
Outline books 1-3 in the Graceborn series
ACHIEVED?
SUMMARY: Early this year, I spent some time ironing out some key problems and filling a few gaps in my WIP fantasy series Graceborn. I then fulfilled my goal of outlining books 1-3, so that everything in the first half of this 6-book epic ties together neatly. I’ll be the first to admit it’s a bit of a complicated story—but so what?! That’s the type of fantasy I most enjoy reading!!
Prepare First the Song for beta readers
ACHIEVED?
SUMMARY: I think I shot myself in the foot a bit with this goal! After reviewing beta feedback from book 1, and considering the new outline for books 1-3, I made the decision to start a whole new draft for First the Song (Graceborn #2). So it was never going to be ready for betas in 2021. I’m currently a bit over halfway, so expect beta reading to happen in the second half of 2022.
Read at least 40 books
ACHIEVED?
SUMMARY: I had a bit of a slow reading year this year. Moving into my new place took a massive toll on my reading energy and motivation! In the end, I didn’t quite manage to reach my 2021 Goodreads challenge of reading 40 books…but I was close. Instead, I read 35 books, and while I was tempted to change my goal, I decided that would defeat the purpose of having a goal in the first place!!
What goals did you set for yourself in 2021? How many of them did you end up achieving? Congrats on getting through ANYTHING during this wild year!!
Rebecca Alasdair
I'm an Australian indie author who hoards books, loves dogs and coffee, and has a tendency of staying up all night!
10 Comments
Andrew McDowell
Around late summer/early fall, I set a goal to limit the number of times I login to each social site to three a day per site (morning, day, night), and after being successful at that, a few months later I took it further and reduced it to two logins per site a day, which I’ve been able to keep.
Unfortunately, my goal of completing at least one more book still hasn’t been met. So, for next year, I’d like to try and establish a daily writing routine/schedule, which so far has not been easy with everything else going on in my life.
Rebecca Alasdair
That’s a great goal with reducing the social media usage! It can be such a drain, both mentally and on time. Well done for finding a healthier balance!!
On the writing front, it’s frustrating when things don’t work out. And the last two years have made it really hard to set good routines. My fingers are crossed for you in 2022!! 😊
Andrew McDowell
Thank you!
Alex
Hi Rebecca! I remember you talked about how busy it was. But you did a lot. I’m so proud of you 🙂
2021 was definitely a tough year. You did great though. I support you. 🙂 Go Rebecca 🙂
Content Posts: YAY 🙂 Your posts are awesome too! Great job on meeting your goal.
Publishing pathway: Awesome! I know things are scary. But, you’re doing well. I believe in you. 🙂 🙂
Outline: 🙂 🙂 That’s impressive! Nice work. It’s a great feat. Awesome job once again 🙂
Prepping First Song for Beta Readers: We all shoot ourselves in the foot sometimes. That’s okay 🙂 You did your best. You’re doing well this year too. 🙂
40 book goal: You came really close. I wish I could read 35. I can’t even read half of that in a year. You did awesome! Go Rebecca!
Good question. I’m awful at setting goals, so I don’t think I really set any except for drawing at least 30-40 drawings a month, which I surpassed. I think I drew too much though as it got me very tired after a while. I need to cut down on drawings. I pushed myself too hard.
I also hoped to write some short stories, but due to busyness and the toll of pandemic stress, I couldn’t.
But, I love what you wrote – “Congrats on getting through ANYTHING during this wild year!!” You’re right. I should be proud of myself for having drawn so much :). Thanks, my friend. Take care.
Rebecca Alasdair
Thank you so much for your lovely comments Alex. I know we can all be too hard on ourselves sometimes. It’s great to feel productive and all, but we should celebrate the small things too, right? Congrats on all those drawings – that’s truly impressive!! 😀
Alex
Thank you so much, Rebecca!! You are kind and awesome. 🙂
You’re right – I’m very hard on myself and often do not celebrate small victories. But, I should and I will 🙂
Thank you so much again! You are impressive with getting so much done too. Kudos! :). You rock.
Rebecca Alasdair
You’re most welcome, Alex. Happy New Year!! 😊
Alex
Happy New Year, Rebecca! Thanks for always being a kind friend 🙂 :).
Tomas
I tend to give myself goals that are very achievable when it comes to hobbies. I expected that working on book two and paperback of book one will cut into my reading time, so I gave myself a goal of 20 books, reached 25. And while work on book two wasn’t always idea, I made some progress there.
Likewise – the impending lockdowns meant I set myself no official hiking goal, though I counted with 500km as realistic and 700kmas optimistic. I don’t know the final number too precisely yet, but I ended up around 900km.
I planned to move out last year too, but the early year lockdowns had me to postpone that into 2022 quite early. Hopefully, it’ll go well this time.
All the best for you into 2022. Hopefully with your book two ready for me to beta read, can’t wait 🙂
Rebecca Alasdair
Wow that’s amazing Tomas!! I suppose one thing we all have to remember is to include some wiggle room in our goals. Or at least be ready to adjust them when life brings us something we hadn’t planned for! Congrats on what you’ve achieved, and all the best for 2022! 😀