I always love reading about people’s goals and resolutions for a new year. I think I’m drawn to the concept of striving in general. And while I’ve always been a striving sort of person, I don’t think I’ve ever felt as successful with following through on New Year’s plans as I was in 2011. The one-word theme git ‘er done really worked for me — I actually managed to keep it fresh in my mind from beginning to end. Having said that, when I look back at the things I said I hoped to get done in 2011, I can actually only cross one off my list:
Thesis- Three in-process papers submitted to journals
- Reading Getting Things Done
- Rach and Todd’s wedding quilt
- Finish or discard the 50-some blog post drafts I’ve started
- Roll over 403b into Roth IRA
- Cross off two or three more states on my life list
But man was that thesis a doozy!
Otherwise, papers are still in process (but two of the three involve collaborators so I don’t have full control over that). And I’ve only got about 50 pages left in GTD, so not too bad. The quilt — what can I say, Rach? I’m lame. Blog drafts . . . now there’s 106 instead of 50. The 403b rollover I wisely deferred until 2012 because this year will be the lowest income we’ve ever had. And while I couldn’t cross off any new states, I did manage to see new cities in North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Even if at a cursory glance it looks like I didn’t really git ‘er done the way I intended, I feel quite satisfied with the year. Spending time with my Grandpa in his final days is not the sort of thing I would set a goal for, but it is one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done. And when I wrote that list I didn’t realize that I would soon feel an urgent need to go back to therapy for the fourth or fifth time — I can’t believe I’m losing count; that doesn’t seem like the sort of thing you should have trouble keeping track of — but so I did. And just to kick it up a notch, we went to couples counseling, which is about 1000 times harder than individual therapy. But I’m proud that we did that, and that we pressed on for six months even though there are always times you want to quit because you might still be able to protect some little corner of your precious ego. Therapy wasn’t exactly something we got “done” (instead we graduated and lost those benefits and our awesome counselor) but it made me and our marriage stronger; now that’s a pretty dang good year. I also succeeded in making a book for Neal, something I had been working on since April, but was only spurred to completion by this timely post from On Call Mom. (Thanks again, lady!) That’s exactly the sort of thing I would start and never finish in years past, but not this time.
So the unexpected moral of the story is that as turbulent as 2011 often felt, it was also incredibly fulfilling and growth-inducing. And as it ends, I feel a deep sense of peace and satisfaction that while I didn’t do everything I wanted to, I did the things I needed to.
Oh and also, I’ve decided not to let 2011 end for me until February 29. I’ve got a new one-word theme for 2012, which I’m equally excited about, but I think git ‘er done will serve me better for at least a couple more months. And since I’m an adult, I can arbitrarily end my years whenever I please. So here’s to two more months of git ‘er done!
Impressive! You really inspire me. Can I count the next 18 years (or at least until Anson starts sleeping through the night) as one year?
Comment by Ishkhanoohie — January 4, 2012 @ 7:41 pm
Why, yes, you can. I give you permission!!
Comment by llcall — January 6, 2012 @ 5:51 pm
[...] my 2012 doesn’t even start for two more months — see how ahead of the game I [...]
Pingback by 2012 Goal #1: Done. « Don’t call us, we’ll call you — January 5, 2012 @ 7:48 pm
Thanks for the shoutout–you’re awesome!
Comment by Kate — January 6, 2012 @ 10:32 pm
Your blog is always my favorite to read
I think it’s the thought that counts when it comes to resolutions. As long as we’re striving for something, the rest will work itself out. Also, it looks like you and Addison had fun together on your adventures!
Comment by Kristin — January 8, 2012 @ 1:58 am
[...] The culmination of my “git ‘er done” year is that I want to fully implement the Getting Things Done system in my life. So I’m going to document the stages I’m going through over the next few weeks (before 2011 really ends). [...]
Pingback by Getting Things Done: Collecting « Don’t call us, we’ll call you — January 19, 2012 @ 5:31 am
[...] I’m going to document the stages I’m going through over the next few weeks (before 2011 really ends). I’ve already covered Phase 1: [...]
Pingback by Getting Things Done: Processing, part I « Don’t call us, we’ll call you — January 19, 2012 @ 5:32 pm
[...] So I’m going to document the stages I’m going through over the next few weeks (before 2011 really ends). I previously posted about Collecting and Processing, part [...]
Pingback by Getting Things Done: Processing, part II « Don’t call us, we’ll call you — January 22, 2012 @ 11:11 pm
[...] So I’m going to document the stages I’m going through over the next few weeks (before 2011 really ends). I previously posted about Collecting, Processing, part I, and Processing, part [...]
Pingback by Getting Things Done: Processing, part III « Don’t call us, we’ll call you — January 28, 2012 @ 12:12 am
[...] So I’m going to document the stages I’m going through over the next few weeks (before 2011 really ends). I previously posted about Collecting, Processing, part I, Processing, part II and [...]
Pingback by Getting Things Done: Processing, part IV « Don’t call us, we’ll call you — February 8, 2012 @ 12:14 pm