I have never been one for New Year's resolutions in the past. A year was too short-term and I was more interested in the long-term. Perhaps I am victim of my own over-organization, but I always had goals laid out in front of me. When I started my school years, I strived to get all A's. Check. When I was ten, I dreamed of attending an ivy league college. Check. When I was eighteen, I said my next step after college would be graduate school. Check. After the academics came the goals for career and family. I realize these were life ambitions and not year end resolutions. But, I didn't see any habits that needed reforming or new things that needed to be done that I wasn't already doing.
As I've gotten older, the idea of resolutions has grown on me as a way to reflect upon life and realize more meaningful ways to live life. Maybe I'm trying to slow things down now that I have a child. Maybe I'm apprehensive of starting this year without a traditional "job." Or, maybe it's the MBA in me that views a resolution as a rolling forecast or business plan. The checklist method was a bit cold, I admit, and my early life did seem to pass in warp speed.
There are the lifelong resolutions to get in shape and eat healthy. In 2007, I was in wedding and honeymoon planning mode while trying to get a promotion at work (Do I hear a "check?"). In 2008, I decided to become more organic in my lifestyle, which led to the great purge of most of my personal care products, including my beloved Nars blush in orgasm! My husband and I also had "Goal Pre-Baby," meaning we dined at Michelin star restaurants (sometimes 2-3x per week), went to the Super Bowl, traveled to six countries outside the US, saw two Broadway shows and one concert, and overall crammed in as many activities as we could. That was a tiring year! All 2009 lifestyle changes revolved around parenthood and baby development. I also made the decision to leave my job and decide what I really want in a career. Still deciding...
It's the end of 2009 and, finally, I have a real resolution. One that is a yearlong and will take me through 2010 with results (hopefully) to show in 2011. I resolve to write three drafts of children's books by the end of the year. This is a 2010 goal because I'd like to attend the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) conference in January 2011 in NYC. I am even proud that it follows the SMART goal system - specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. Again, the MBA in me.
I have been thinking a lot about my writing goals these days. It's always been a dream to get published someday. In the past, I'd thought of writing a novel, but recently I've had an interest in children's books. Never did I think I'd want to write a children's book. I credit my son for this evolution. There are not enough multicultural books or teaching materials out there that will help teach my son about his Asian-Indian heritage and that is the topic I've chosen to tackle. My initial goal is three books about Indian holidays.
To that end, another resolution is to work and work on my writing. I recently found out that the essay on my mom (a very edited version) was accepted for print publication in a compilation of anecdotes and essays about the influences of the women in families. Thanks K. for blogging about this opportunity. Next year, I want to write essays/articles that I hope to submit to magazines, websites, books, and anywhere. There is a thrill that comes with seeing your byline. I always got a kick out of writing for my college and b-school papers. Even if nothing comes of this, I am excited to have a true resolution.
So begins "Project Write On." Can't blame the MBA on that one, just an inherent nerdiness.
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