Happy New 2010

As one year melts (literally - it's summer here and the temperature's pushing the mercury) into another it's time to take stock of 2009 and set goals for the year ahead.
2009: personally it's been a good year. I've kicked back and relaxed, had good times with friends and seen good friends go through tough moments. Hopefully I've helped them. Career-wise -it's been a huge learning curve. Having taken a break from paid employment to concentrate on writing I've learnt a few things:Writing is hardWriters needs 'stickability', perseverence and a very thick skinWriters need goals

Goal setting and me are not something usually mentioned in the same sentence! Sure, I've made many resolutions in the past - always the same things: lose a stone in weight, get fitter, get book published - you know the score.
Curiously, I've never achieved them. (Although my son was agog when I said I would have the same resolution this year as for the past 30 years - to lose a stone. "You were 30 stone?" he asked amazed. - LOL! NO! I just never lost that original stone).
I guess the saying is true: "If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got".
What I've been lacking, I think, is clearly defined goals and steps to achieve those goals. Apparently they need to be SMART. So, here goes, these are the goals I thought of on New Year's Eve:
Writing Goals:-Write every week day in school term - think of it as a job, not a hobby-Finish current ms by end of March-Submit to 2 publishers-Finish next mss first draft by end of November ready for editing-Enter Clendon, Emerald and Emily competitions-Attend RomAus conference in Sydney-Blog once a fortnight
Personal Goals:-Spend more time with hubby doing fun things together-Finish curtains for lounge-Finish curtains for bedroom (had material for 3 years)-Paint bedroom-Get to UK to see sister's new baby somehow......-Phone my Mum once a week
Health Goals:-Walk at least 4 times a week for an hour-Eat 5+ a day!-Adopt a positive attitude and be grateful for the good things in life
Day 5 of the new year and so far:-Have written once (it's school holidays though)-Had 10 days off with husband and looking forward to another 2 weeks from this friday-Eaten 5+ a day for last 4 days and feel great!