2013

So I’ve done New Years’ Resolutions a lot in the past. I generally focus on a lot of things all in one year- getting healthy, building more relationships, doing well in my career- and it can sometimes be a little much. Even though I tend to create goals that are detailed enough that I’m working towards something specific, I don’t always deliver on them.

There were a few things I wasn’t so successful at. There a few dead weight relationships I have trouble kicking to the curb, and I still haven’t been able to commit to always going to the gym, but I am much better than I was a year ago today.

While I’m going to continue to do some of those smaller things in 2013 (reading, working out and new to come- watching more movies!)- I found that in 2012 I got the most gratification from GETTING SOMETHING DONE. In 2012 I worked hard, studied, hated every second, then got a decent score on the GMAT that I’m happy with. While I spent more time than I really wanted to for those couple of months studying, it was a really gratifying experience to work that hard, have it pay off, and cross something off the list.

So, for 2013 I have three sort of big skills that I want to learn. When you’re out of school and no longer have classes or that fixed semester of learning or things you HAVE to learn in your job, you end up not really adding skills to your arsenal. So I’m going to set that fire under my own butt to get going.

Skill #1: Adobe Creative Suite

So at the end of my time at Villanova in 2011 when I was a student, I bought Adobe Creative Suite, knowing that it is something I should learn. It was on my goal list for 2012 and it never happened. It’s now on my short list for the beginning of 2013. I really think this could help me in my current career (and blog) to understand more of what goes behind the scenes to create images- and to create some of my own. Particularly if I want to work in a start up environment some day, having the skill to help out with the creative work (at least the simple stuff) would certainly benefit me.

Skill #2: Coding

Along this vein, I’ve read frequently that learning basic coding is vital in this technology world. I will by no means be able to create something complicated, but I think understanding the system is a great move.  I’ve heard good things from sites like codeacademy.com which provide a sort of structured way to learn this skill.

Skill #3: Golf

I worked at a golf club in high school and am entirely embarrassed that I never really learned how to play. I know how to hold a club and sometimes know how to swing and certainly know how to dress- but I’ve never actually done 18 holes. I’m thinking I’m going to start by doing a course through Boston Ski and Sports Club in the summer and then hopefully finding a course nearby I might be able to go to every once in awhile. I know this would be a good skill to have in my back pocket- I’d love to be that woman in the office that gets invited to golf tournaments. I think it would be a good

Other New Year’s Resolutions

If you’re looking for more inspiration on New Year’s Resolutions, ways to reflect about 2012 or just a laugh, I encourage you to check out some of these other blogs and friends of mine.

The College Prepster is doing her New Year’s Resolutions with themes for each month. I love this idea to keep at your center.

Review what happened in 2012 to make you look towards the future like Bianca at Confessions of a Chocoholic.

Jaime, of the Prepary, wants to work smarter, not harder in 2013- see how.

Laugh about 2023 might look like at the Midwest Maven.

Chris Brogan chooses three words to focus on each year.

What’s on your list for the New Year?