finish year update - january

So this about wraps up month one of me working on my finish year goals. I'm excited to say I've made progress on some of my goals and here's what I've been up to:

2. Submit 2 posts to (in)courage. I've submitted one and already have the idea for the second but haven't had a chance to put it all together. I'm still waiting on a response for when they'll use my submission but am excited about it!

4. Read all of my review books. I've read four books so far and am almost finished with a fifth one. I'm putting some things on hold until I can get through my stack so I'm hoping that's motivation.

- The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen

- The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter

- Love Blooms in Winter by Lori Copeland

- The Chocolate Diaries by Karen Scalf Linamen

5. Do a random act of kindness twice a month. I slacked off a little on this by only putting down one ARK (has anybody seen "Evan Almighty" to get that reference?). I made chocolate chip cookie dough truffles for my coworkers - though I ended up eating the majority :)

6. Listen to one podcast/sermon a month. I've been able to listen to eight messages in a series my pastor did a while back.

7. Complete 5 DIY projects. I finished my first one yesterday! I've been wanting a new journal to use to take notes for church but couldn't find one that I really liked so I made one!

8. Comment on one blog a week. I've done pretty good with this one. I'm keeping track by pasting the links in a draft email just so I can see where all I've been.

10. Go to 5 events to meet new people. I think I met this one by attending training to become an election official. It's something that I was presented with the opportunity to be a part of so I went. I didn't know anyone so I think that counts :)

What about you? How are your Finish Year goals coming? It's not too late to start now!

finish year goals

I've been talking about Finish Year and am excited to share what I've come up with for the year. There are other things I want to accomplish beside this list but this is my top 12. I wanted to post a picture of goals because I used different fonts and just had fun with it but you can view it here. I printed it on bright yellow cardstock and want to put it in a black frame. I've got a notebook I'm going to write in as I accomplish these goals. I want to be able to look back and see how achieving these things affected me. Some are fun while some are really going to stretch me.

1. Revise current query letter & submit to 5 literary agents.
2. Submit 2 posts to (in)courage.
3. Knit a blanket.
4. Read all of my review books (I have 10-15 books on my shelf that I got behind on).
5. Do a random act of kindness twice a month (be it giving someone a grocery or gas card or paying for the person behind me in the drive-thru - just sowing into someone else).
6. Listen to one podcast/sermon a month – something to feed me spiritually.
7. Make 5 DIY projects.
8. Comment on one blog a week. If I want others to read my blog, I need to return the favor.
9. Write 50 thank you cards.
10. Go to 5 events to meet new people (maybe it's church related or not. It's just the chance to step out of my comfort zone and make new friends).
11. Put money in savings account each month – anything is more than nothing.
12. Lead 1 person to the Lord.

2011

This has been a good year. I've done some fun stuff but am soooo excited for next year. I've just finished my Finish Year list and will share that next week. I'm excited at being able to accomplish some really cool things and have just an overall excitement for 2012. I'm believing for God to do some amazing things and am pumped about it!

Some things that I did this year:
- saw Jonny Lang in concert for the first time

- jumped off a boulder into the water really far below - I felt this was a "now I can say I've done this" moment

- went to the beach - it was our first serious family vacation in a long time!
- had the privilege of hearing Aquila Nash speak
- was able to meet Ryan Stevenson at a concert he was part of at my church

Next year is going to be crazy awesome! By focusing on smaller goals instead of really great sounding how-can-I-possibly-make-this-happen goals, it's going to be very cool to see how God works things out. Next year is going to be different than any other year because whereas I've always made resolutions for each year, this time I'll be actually able to achieve them. A whole lot of smaller steps eventually add up :)

finish year

I subscribe to a lot of blogs - it's actually probably something I need to work on purging because I just don't have the time to read them all but one that I enjoy reading is Jon Acuff. His posts are honest and thought-provoking. A few days ago he introduced the idea of Finish Year and I'm all for it. I always write out goals for the coming year but my problem is that I think too big. I write down these goals that I have no idea how to achieve instead of working on the stepping stones that would lead to those dreams. For instance, I want to be a published author. Last year I wrote down "to be published" and yet I've done nothing this year to work towards that. Jon gave the example of a friend who wants to get married. Instead of that being a goal, he's going to focus on asking at least three girls out. It's all about making it do-able instead of overwhelming. Finish Year is about focusing on attainable goals that will eventually add up to bigger ones and that's exactly what I need for 2012. This isn't a complete list of my Finish Year goals but a starting point:

- write at least two posts for (in)courage (I'm excited because I already have the idea for one of these!)

- edit my current query letter and submit to at least five literary agents

- comment on at least one other blog a week (I have a theory that if I want people to read and comment on my blog, I need to return the favor)

This is nowhere near my whole list but what I could think of off the top of my head. These three are all writing related so I haven't even listed personal and spiritual goals. I'll be sure to post my complete list once I'm finished. I can't begin working on these goals if I don't have them written down :) What about you? What would you like to accomplish next year?