New Year's Resolutions for 2013 |

Last year I wrote out my New Year?s Resolutions. And though I failed to achieve many of them, I decided to start of 2013 with more bold and daring promises. While there are things I would love to have happen in 2013 (like never again worrying about Guillain-Barre Syndrome), this list is confined to only the things I have some sort of control over.

So, in no particular order, here are my Resolutions:

1. Continue to get back into shape. The last two years have seen me confined to the couch far to much for reasons beyond my control. But the last month or so, I?ve been able to start rebuilding my body?s core muscles (neck, back, shoulders, chest and abs) through physical therapy. Success breeds success. I?d like to be able to get back on the elliptical machine as soon as my broken toe heals, and get back to the point I was pre-GBS at the very least. I think that is doable, as long as I pace my exercise to compliment my healing.
2. Get more out of my weekends. I?m not talking about working more or writing more, but getting out with the kids and doing more: go to more of the islands in Puget Sound; go canoeing on Lake Washington; go hiking in the Hoh Rainforest; go to more local baseball games. My sedentary life the past two years has led my kids to believe that it?s okay to stay inside all the time, and I want them to enjoy the great outdoors?not fear it.
3. Write another novel. This is probably the least challenging of my resolutions. Writing is what I do now. I fully expect to write two, if not three books this year, as well as finishing all the edits for Nowhere Wild. It does depend on my work situation, but I would consider it a very unsuccessful year if I didn?t write at least one book.
4. Keep my technical skills up. Since I?ve been out of work the last few months, recovering and focusing on building my technical writing business, the fear has grown within me that my technical skills will soon be out of date. Technology moves so fast. Somehow, whether it be through contributing to an open-source project, or by returning to the work force as a part-time or full-time programmer, I want to ensure that my skills keep me in-demand for the foreseeable future.
5. Rebuild my circle of friends. I said this last year, and I?ll say it again. I want to rebuild that close connection with friends that we lost during those first few years of parenthood. I?m looking forward to game nights, dinners out and in, or even trips together to see parts of Washington State with close friends, new and old.
6. Continue to build my brand. This is a key year to both master the art of public speaking, and to build the market for my writing. I hope to work through the 10 speeches needed to become a Competent Communicator at Toastmasters. I hope to be active again in the PNWA. I want to build my social media reach. I don?t have numbers goals (like 10000 twitter followers or 1 million hits per month on my web site), but I do want to continue to attract loyal followers to my blog, and to support other authors whose work I enjoy reading. I do believe in karma when it comes to social networking. You will get out of it only what you put into it.

That?s my list for now. I think those are all achievable. And I think they all add something to my life, and to my family?s life. As I learned last year, there will always be bad things that happen beyond my control. But with a little luck, and a lot of work, maybe?just maybe?there will be good things that happen that exceed my expectations too.

Happy New Year!

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Source: http://joebeernink.com/2013/01/01/new-years-resolutions-for-2013/

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