{"id":784,"date":"2012-01-04T23:12:31","date_gmt":"2012-01-05T02:42:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/virginiamiddleton.ca\/blog\/?p=784"},"modified":"2012-01-04T23:12:31","modified_gmt":"2012-01-05T02:42:31","slug":"mmxii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/virginiamiddleton.ca\/blog\/2012\/01\/04\/mmxii\/","title":{"rendered":"MMXII"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s that time of year again. As I mentioned in my last update<\/a>, you should be feeling guilty about what wasn’t accomplished in the previous year. But with the first week of January well underway, there’s an opportunity for new beginnings. Fresh starts! Expect that January is simply a month that ends in Y… does it really have to be the only time of year to set goals, ridicule our failures and set unreasonable expectations?!<\/p>\n

So in proper hypocritical fashion, I’ve decided to give myself a few goals (read: resolutions… I just don’t want to call them resolutions). Goals can be measurable and there will be clear evidence as to whether or not I meet these goals.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Blog\"<\/a>

Update my blog at least once a month<\/p><\/div>\n

I’ve quickly learned that I’m a fair-weather blogger and a little flighty at times with my updates. When I blogged years ago, it was primarily for the purpose of online journaling and connecting with friends (ironically a lot of my friends I knew in real life, but so much has changed with the power of social media).<\/p>\n

Now, I find my blogging is more focusing on topics that are if not related to my profession, are around my hobbies or more in depth than the days of Livejournal where you ranted about a bad day and hit “update”. I think Facebook has really taken over that medium and filled the void for many of us.<\/p>\n

I should be able to write more blog updates. I want to write more, but what’s the logic in trying to force out updates that may feel forced or pressured to deliver? It’s best if I write when inspired… I just need to avoid using that as a way of excusing a lack of updates.<\/p>\n

Seriously Virginia. At least 12 updates a year shouldn’t be that hard.<\/em> With this update, I’ve already taken care of one; only 11 more to go! ;)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Books<\/a>

Read at least six professional books<\/p><\/div>\n

This may not sound like a lofty goal, but I have to confess that I really don’t read enough. Perhaps it’s the ADHD that distracts me from settling into a good book, or maybe I just dawdle when getting ready for bed and before I know it, it’s really too late to read before falling asleep. No matter what the excuse, I want to read more. At the rate I’m going, I have more books\u00a0 and ebooks than I’ll read in my lifetime! And while I do have a fair number of books, I really don’t have as many as you would think when I’m giving myself a 50-60 year deadline.<\/p>\n

I want to read the following books this year:<\/p>\n