12 Question (and answers) to start the year...

My manager sent over an article from the Globe & Mail about reflections on the past year, as well as plans for 2013.  Since I've resolved to write more frequently - figured I'd do both at the same time.  Maybe even encourage a person or two to share their list.

1. What went well?
2012 was the culmination of years of work - it was the year I'd start the next chapter in my life, leave my job, and go to business school. If there's one thing that went well for me - it was that I got into the school I wanted and will be attending next fall (a year later than planned).

2. In what ways did I grow and evolve?
Last year was frustrating - didn't get to start business school as planned last fall, and remained in career limbo for about 6 months.

But I've persisted. An NYT Article I read recently says:

If we are dissatisfied with some aspect of our lives, one of the best approaches is to act more like the person we want to be, rather than sitting around analyzing ourselves.

So for me - its been a year of resilience, and self exploration.

3. What were my favourite moments of 2012? Las Vegas for a bachelor party

Picnic with the family

Vancouver with family celebrating my dad's birthday

Cracking a beer around the camp fire with some friends.

4. What do I need to clean out or let go of now to be ready to start fresh in 2013?
Perhaps the past.  Or the person I thought I was supposed to be.  Either or.

5. What and who am I most most grateful for right now?

• My people - friends, and family for everything good in my life. 
• A girl that I dated that taught me the ins-and-outs of dressing fashionably. 
• A blogger that taught me about the concept of a "best self", grace & mercy, and the importance of reading. 
• Everyone that I've ever come across that never gave up on a dream. 

6. If there were a theme for me in 2012, what was it?

“This was the year of redemption.”

THE YEAR AHEAD
7. What are my goals for 2013?

1. Get prepared to change careers: High GPA & Win a competition at school 
2. See the world: Cross a few places off my Hillman Wonders check list 
3. Write more often: Knowing life doesn't gift many great stories to you - I want to be exceptional at telling all kinds of stories.

8. Which of my strengths and assets will I tap into to realize my goals?
According to Strengths Finder 2.0 my two greatest strengths are my ability to learn and my creativity. Those are the two I will focus on for 2013.

9. How will I foster my personal well-being to maintain or boost my mojo?
Write. Consistently.

Its probably the single most important way I keep sane on my own. When I head off to school I expect to spend quite a bit of time on my own - away from friends & family. Will need to get into the habit of writing to keep my vitality up.

10. How will I foster my professional well-being to boost or maintain my career aspirations?
If 2012 was the year of building out my professional network, then 2013 is the year of fostering existing relationships.

Thus far, I've grown into the professional I am because I've learnt *cough-copied-cough* the skills of incredibly talented people throughout the years.

In the last year I've made a lot of new friends. Its time to learn before going back to school.

11. How can I contribute to the ‘greater good’?
I've been with the Canadian Cancer Society for a couple of years now - but this year I want to grow the volunteer community. Turn some of our event-day student volunteers into regular volunteers. Its probably the best way to better my community before I move.

12. What will be my theme for the coming year?

“This will be the year of dream chasing.”

Starting 2013: Resolutions

“Listen to me, I said you needed to strive to be better than everyone else, I didn’t say you needed to be better than everyone else. But you gotta try. That’s what character is, it’s in the trying.”

The year starts, and people make resolutions.  Hopes abound that this year will be better than the last.  Seeking ways to be a little bit better.  

Maybe its age - lately I've seen a lot of cynicism.  Why bother making a resolution?  Those come apart after a few weeks.

I'm reminded of that great quote from Friday Night Lights.

The world expects a lot - of me, of you, of everyone.  Its quick to recognize failure, slow to recognize success.  It expects progress.

Once a year, you get to step back and expect more of yourself.  Hold yourself to a higher standard.  That's the secret of a new years resolution...  Its not about needing to be better - than anyone else or even yourself a year earlier.

Its about trying - because character is in the trying.

So in 2013 I'm going to resolve to:

• Write once a week - Either update this with life related content, or the MBA blog on career related content.  Figure if I spend more time on content and story telling - it'll bleed into my personal life.
• Slow down - Used to think life was about going out often, and chasing adventures.  My calendar was consistently a mess - and stress out paced productivity.  So this year I resolve to be more tactical with my time.  Get less done, but get more out each and everything I do.
• Take more pictures - Because this is going to be an awesome year.

Done a few resolutions in the past.  Succeeded and failed.  But this year - I'm gonna keep trying.