2012 Goals

I hope everyone is having a great New Year! Every year, I shrug off resolutions, choosing to map out goals for the coming year instead. In 2011, I chose not to have goals, since my 2010 goals went up in flames thanks to my health issues, but I am back to thinking ahead for this year. Based on demands on my time and agreements I've made, my goals are of a singular nature this year, yet are raising the bar on what I expect of myself.

1. Send my manuscript to agents.
The majority of publishing houses will not look at your work without an agent bringing it to their attention. The field is changing drastically, so I may try a different route, but as of today, I plan to clean up my manuscript, have my reviewers look it over again, and send it off to see what the publishing world has to say.

2. Step up my career plans.
There are several opportunities I plan to take advantage of this year involving my professional career. Several of them have already come to fruition; I have a contract to speak at a conference in FL in 2013, I am currently negotiating to speak at a nationally recognized regional conference this year (if we agree to the terms, I'll let you know), I am representing Indiana for a committee for a national conference, and there are some other things in the air, which I will be forthcoming about as soon as I can publicly discuss them.

3. Join UDC and DAR
Some of my contracted talks require more advanced research methodologies and I would prefer to discuss examples from my own research. Applying to both of these organizations will require me completing my own in-depth research, which let's be honest, I have barely touched my personal research in years.

4. Complex research
Hubby's family research is a bit chaotic, what with the fact hubby denies having family with the exception of his brother, there are unofficial adoptions, and both sides consist of twentieth century immigrants from Eastern Europe. But our nephew can obtain a scholarship to a private college in Florida if we can prove his Polish ancestry, so my brother-in-law asked if I could look into it. Completing this project will give me amazing examples for my presentations, plus help my nephew.

5. House decision
I'm almost afraid to place this on the list, since a few years ago my goal was to make a decision about having children, in which my body made the decision for me. Hubby and I have owned a home in Florida, hired a realtor when we moved to Indiana, decided against it, and now question if we should own a home again. We are so indecisive concerning this topic, so I hope to make a final decision this year and move forward.

Those are my goals for 2012. Care to share yours or comment on my insanity?