Deliverable

I’m looking back at a post that I made on January 1st, 2006. It’s a list of things that I said that I wanted to complete by the years end. I suppose you could call it my “Bigger Picture” goals of 2006. As I type this it appears likely that I will not accomplish all of these things. As I read down the list I realize that I made progress in some areas, but not in others. It’s no surprise that I was most successful with the goals that were the most clearly outlined. I was not successful with the goals that lacked clarity and planning.

Having said that, I come to the list of “Things I (said I would) complete before years end, 2006.”

• Publish the book with a “real” publisher and get paid for it. I will more clearly define what I mean by “the book” and “real publisher” as the year goes along. Stay tuned. (incomplete) – I did not publish the book with a real publisher. I got a lot done on the book over the summer.
• Be in a play (complete) – I did one play this past year, and auditioned for several others. I was called back for some of these but ultimately did not get the part(s).
• Get paid to act… either in a film or tv or a play. (incomplete) – I wasn’t paid to act this past year.
• Take a real vacation. I’ll more clearly define “real vacation” as the year goes along. (complete) – I took a weekend off with M.
• Create a nurturing home environment… one that provides a safe haven from the chaos that is New York City. (mostly complete) – This was the goal that I was most successful with. My living space is a hell of alot better now than it was 12 months ago. The amount of clutter than I’ve removed is breathtaking. I’ve moved beyond that, and living that way is no longer palatable to me. I have a couple of projects planned for the beginning of 2007 that should put the finishing touches on my space.
• Accumulate one month of living expenses in savings (incomplete) I made some progress in this area, and I do have a better handle on my income/vs/expenses than I have had in the past, but I have not accumulated one month of living expenses in savings.

Habits

• Cook for nutritious meals for myself consistently. (”Consistently” to be more clearly defined as I go.) (incomplete) – I never had a plan for achieving this. I never clearly defined “consistently”.
• Maintain a consistent sleep schedule. (”Consistent sleep schedule” to be more clearly defined as I go.) (incomplete – See “Cooking Nutritious Meals” above.

I’m not writing this post to beat up on myself. I simply want to be honest about what I have and have not achieved this past year in these areas. I feel as though I’ve grown a great deal in the past 12 months. I know why I did not meet these goals in 2006, and feel like I am better equipped to set clearer goals for 2007 that I will successfully achieve.

The way that I treated monthly goals in December worked well for me. I plan to “rinse and repeat” that for each month this year. It occurred to me that having goals for the year would help me choose the projects I focus on each month. I’ll review these periodically and add/modify/change as needed.

These things I will complete by years end, 2006:

• Publish the book with a “real” publisher and get paid for it. I will more clearly define what I mean by “the book” and “real publisher” as the year goes along. Stay tuned.
• Be in a play
• Get paid to act… either in a film or tv or a play.
• Take a real vacation. I’ll more clearly define “real vacation” as the year goes along.
• Create a nurturing home environment… one that provides a safe haven from the chaos that is New York City.
• Accumulate one month of living expenses in savings

Habits

• Cook for nutritious meals for myself consistently. (“Consistently” to be more clearly defined as I go.)
• Maintain a consistent sleep schedule. (“Consistent sleep schedule” to be more clearly defined as I go.)

I feel motivated to complete these things. I believe that I can do it. I will find the time.