I plan on posting a quick update at the end of each month to chart my progress against my goals for the year.
Write more:
This month I’ve written 12,000 words, 42 pages, which is 3 chapters of my book.
That is better than I managed in any single month last year, so I should be happy about it.
But I’m not. It’s not enough. If I had done NaNo this month I would have FAILED miserably. Other things have managed to get in the way so I want MORE focus in February.
*
Read more:
I set a target of at least 24 books in 2012. As well as the Eclectic Reader Challenge 2012 (which is 12 books) I want to read more. So far I’ve read 2 books: Drowning Rose by Marika Cobbold (my Review) and Hell’s Corner by David Baldacci (review pending).
So I’m on track.
*
Stay the same weight:
There’s a story here.
I’ve posted before about my dieting Festive Cheer! and Treats are Great!. Well, I over indulged during the festivities and ended up having tests for suspected gallstones!
Thankfully, they were all clear and I don’t have gallstones, but I can’t eat anything fatty. It was my fault really. I don’t recommend going on a low-fat diet for six months and then eat this HUGE wok-full of fried Christmas lunch! Pork pies and New York cheese cake 🙂
So as far as the goal for 2012 I wanted to keep my weight static and it is slightly down this month.
How are you doing with your goals for 2012?
Are you still on track?
Pete Denton 
Hi Pete,
Fantastic word count, don’t beat yourself up! Especially, as you’re reading too!
I’ve taken to putting my goals for the month on my blog, and I’ve got so much more done. I feel accountable somehow.
Draft 2 is proving very tough for me, I can’t seem to get stuck into it.
Keep up the good work
Maria
Thanks, Maria.
I agree. I finished a book tonight so I could class it as being 2 for January. Without *shaming* myself on the blog I probably would have just watched the football!
I’m enjoying writing the 2nd draft so just keep plugging away.
Bravo on the writing. I know it’s hard, we’re all our own toughest critics. I’d try to stay the same weight but I’m having a baby June 4th so that won’t work;) end the year at pre-baby weight, that’s a thought!
Hahaha, I think pregnancy is a reasonable excuse! Thanks for stopping by and commenting, good luck with the baby.
Hi Pete I just wanted to let you know I have nominated you for a Liebster Award. You can check it out here: http://beyondconfessions.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/liebster-blog-award/
Wow, thank you very much. I love awards.
Good luck in the next Leap Year longer month of February, Pete . . . My expectations haven’t been met writing- or reading-wise with too many distractions . . . I have to buckle down as well. I’ll also look for the books you recommend. Baldacci is entertaining.
Thanks, Justin, I’d forgotten it had the extra day. I might take tonight off to recharge 🙂
You’re right about distractions. I wish I could avoid the shiny objects but sometimes they are too shiny!
Baldacci does write some great stories and Hell’s Corner was another good one.
So, I don’t do New Year’s resolutions. Ever.
However, you’ve inspired me. If I were to say, average 100 words a DAY, I would be making vast improvements (that would be 3100 words for January, which is paltry compared to what you’ve done). At least I’m fine on reading, stopping is more the problem for me there… but it does keep me from writing.
So, I’m making a February (I hate writing that month, I always spell it wrong!) resolution. I’ll post it on my blog tomorrow…
As promised, my resolution…
http://shannonhowell.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/let-it-be-resolved/
I’m sure you’ll reach your target.
Thanks, Shannon.
SorryGlad to have inspired you. Like the idea on your blog to have a February target, though not sure about the getting up at 5 to write.Don’t beat yourself up, Pete, you’re doing a great job! I like your end-of-month review. I should really do one myself!
Have a lovely day 🙂
Catherine
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Catherine.
I thought the monthly review might spur me on to get more done. It worked in January and hopefully will in February.
Pingback: Let it Be Resolved… « Shannon Howell
I scan read your post at first (I was on the train, we were nearly there, I was trying to get through as much as I could, I still had to do my make-up…) and I thought it said that your goal was to write 24 books in 2012! Haha. It’s always good to publicly announce your goals; much harder to back out of them. Sounds like you’re doing really well so far, keep it up!
Hahaha, I’ve spent years writing my current book so 24 in a year might be difficult 🙂
I like to adopt the shame myself into doing things approach. Works for me!
Thanks for commenting.
Er, goals? I haven’t set any, started last year with a whole list of them and ended the year with most of them untouched. This year I am being easier on myself. I guess that might be a goal in itself.
Sounds like you’re making good progress towards yours. Well done! 🙂
Thanks for visiting and commenting. You have a great blog. I need to set goals or I’d just watch sport and Fringe all the time!
Great start for 2012! It is wonderful you set goals for yourself! Congrats!
Thanks for commenting. February has zero words so far!
Pete, that’s a great word count. You put 12,000 words on a page in a month. That’s awesomeness. Maybe you could have written more if you sacrificed time with family or worked until you pinched a nerve in your hand. I don’t think either are good options.
You hit your best word count ever! That counts.
You made progress on every goal. I’m giving you a high five. 🙂
Thanks. I spend too much time doing nothing but I need some downtime. Thanks for the high five!
That’s a good idea to review your goals at the end of the month and see your progress!
Thanks for commenting.
I thought it was a good way to keep me progressing. February has zeros across the board at the moment 🙂
Really good progress on the book. My current book is going much more slowly, but I think it’s because I’m so busy that I’m lucky getting 2000 words a day written. Still, progress is progress. Keep up the good work.