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Saturday, December 31, 2011

Goals and Dreams

There's something empowering about having dreams come true. In 2011, several of mine did. Some of it was luck (I bribed leprechauns to make the NY Times thing happen), some of it was hard work (editing kicks my tail). Some of it was magical (hello new friends!), some of it was shocking (book tour?! me?!), and much of it was tiring (see: editing, book tour), but there's not a single moment that I regret.

I cannot put into words how amazing 2011 was. It just was.


And now it's nearly 2012.

I'm really not much of one for resolutions. I've made too many impossible resolutions before. There were many years where my resolution was "get my book published," but, failing self-publication, that's not something you can completely control. When other people are involved in making a dream come true, some of it is out of your hands.

So instead of resolutions, I have goals and dreams. My goals are things that I can do. My dreams are things that I can only somewhat control. It's not stuff like "win the lottery!" It's more like stuff that I can work towards, but without a little luck or help from others, it won't happen.

I have three goals and three dreams.
  • One of each is very personal.
  • One goal will require work, but will definitely happen (unless my hands fall off).
  • One goal is incredibly boring.
  • One will be very, very, very hard. But it's a goal, not a dream, so I can do it.
  • One dream is one I think will very likely happen. One dream is one I think might never.
Want to know what they are?


I am totally stealing Nova Ren Suma's idea. I've written down my dreams and goals for 2012. When if when I accomplish each goal, I'll post it here. And we can celebrate together! :)

So...how about you? What are your goals and dreams? May they both come true in the new year!
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17 comments:

  1. MarieruDecember 31, 2011 at 9:35 PM

    Wish you the best!! And I'll be waiting for those goals and dreams to be revealed!

    Happy new year!

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  2. MeganDecember 31, 2011 at 9:45 PM

    Happy New Year, Beth!! :)

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  3. jennDecember 31, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    I hope you attain them all. I look forward to cheering your success! :)

    My main goal is to finish the first draft of the novel I started in November. I'm still taking the advice from your YWP pep talk and trying to write bravely. :)

    Best of luck and happy new year! :)

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  4. Christine RainsDecember 31, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    Happy new year and all the best to you and yours! :)

    My goals are to revise and submit a couple of my manuscripts, and write more short stories.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Romance BookieDecember 31, 2011 at 11:59 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. The Romance BookieJanuary 1, 2012 at 12:00 AM

    I'm exactly the same! I don't make resolutions, I set goals for myself :). I've been doing it for years, and it's completely rewarding when you get to sit down and cross one off your list when you complete it! Oh it's amazing!

    Good Luck Beth! I'm sure 2012 will be just as incredible as 2011 :)

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  7. M. DunhamJanuary 1, 2012 at 12:42 AM

    That's a great idea for writing down your goals and dreams, and hten sharing them. I think I'll do the same, thank you for sharing your borrowed idea. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Claire DawnJanuary 1, 2012 at 5:48 AM

    Happy New Year!

    I'm also doing goals instead of resolutions, since resolutions just means decisions, and goals implies actions.

    Great minds...? Yeah, I think so!

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  9. Kelley LynnJanuary 1, 2012 at 12:07 PM

    Ooo, very good idea. Write them down and reveal them when they're complete...love it!

    Happy New Year!

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  10. JanelleJanuary 1, 2012 at 10:13 PM

    Hi Beth, Your perseverance through 10 other manuscripts and now your exciting success with "Across the Universe" has been a huge inspiration to the rest of us in the Carolina's region. Congrats oyour soon release of "A Million Suns!"

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  11. UnknownJanuary 1, 2012 at 11:23 PM

    This is the greatest idea ever. I might steal it too!

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  12. dellgirlJanuary 1, 2012 at 11:34 PM

    Congrats on an incredible year! I wish all the best for another fantastic year for you.

    Happy New Year and may 2012 be the best year yet!

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  13. MegzJanuary 2, 2012 at 8:31 AM

    You're quite a mysterious person, huh? Hehe xP

    By the way, should the giveaway prizes have arrived by now? I'm still wondering if I won anything!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nova Ren SumaJanuary 2, 2012 at 4:20 PM

    I'm honored and excited that my idea spoke to you, too! And, in turn, I love how you'll be posting here when you accomplish a dream or a goal. Now I want to steal your idea and do the same! I love it.

    Happy New Year, Beth! Wishing you a great many good things.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Melissa SpenceJanuary 6, 2012 at 8:22 AM

    Beth, I love this, but it is killing me. I want to sneak into your room and see what's on the other side of those cards!!!!!

    Good luck with achieving all your goals...and I hope all your dreams come true!

    <3

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  16. Elizabeth BriggsJanuary 6, 2012 at 4:30 PM

    This is awesome. I think I might do this too, even if its just for myself. There is power in writing something down.

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  17. kristiApril 2, 2012 at 10:15 AM

    I'm really not much of one for resolutions. I've made too many impossible resolutions before. There were many years where my resolution was "get my book Acai Berry published," but, failing self-publication, that's not something you can completely control. When other people are involved in making a dream come true, some of it is out of your hands.

    ReplyDelete

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