26 Things Before 27

Another birthday has come and gone.  I have given myself one month to think about what I want to accomplish this year.

I've been thinking a lot about how to accomplish more of my goals.  I have definitely accomplished some things that I wouldn't have if I hadn't started setting goals.  But there are a LOT of goals that I didn't accomplish.  A big part is lack of trying.  A small part is losing interest in those goals.  But another medium size part I think is not setting intelligent goals.  Someone told me about setting S.M.A.R.T. goals---- as a way to set goals that you are more likely and able to accomplish.  So bearing all this in mind, I'm setting my goals for the next year and also setting a couple new rules:

1. I can tweak and modify goals a bit if I want, to make them more specific and directed or to take them to the next level if I want to expand upon something I have accomplished.
2. I can throw out a goal if I feel like it is not serving what I truly am aiming to do.  For example last year I had a goal about make-up, but as time went on I realized that this was incredibly unimportant to me.   So I can throw out a goal, BUT I have to replace it with a new one.
3. Every week, I have to report on here about my progress on 2 of my goals.  I'm hoping this will help me keep engaging with my goal and planning for accomplishing them.

Now for the goals.  I'm going to try to provide some preliminary steps that I can take to get started accomplishing these goals.  I can add steps as I progress and report on my progress getting through those steps.  So here is what I'm going to be trying to do over the next 11 months:

1.  Get a new job and move.
This is a big, big goal.  I am combining the two because they really go hand in hand and it hard to accomplish one without the other.  I am tired of taking up two goals with basically one solution.  I am currently searching for a new job; but I am not applying to jobs as often as I should.  I've finally whipped my resume into good shape and have a solid cover letter or two to work off of.

STEP 1 is to crank out those applications.

2.  Make my own postcards.
This has been a long time goal of mine and I don't think it would be too hard to accomplish.  A graphic designer friend of mine gave me some advice as to the specifications of the card should I order them.

STEP 1: do some research on the cost of ordering some cards.
STEP 2: identify 5 photos I would like to use on the cards
STEP 3: look into how to design my card (using Photoshop, using a online template from a print service)

3.  Write a script
I have many script ideas, but I never write them down because I'm lazy and cowardly.  I want to prove to myself that I can do this, even if it is not very good.  I have had several friends write scripts and they have inspired me to give it a try.  I also want to discover what my process is.  You can't learn what you need to improve on, if you never try anything in the first place.

STEP 1: settle on an story idea I want to tackle
STEP 2: outline my thoughts so far
STEP 3: identify my major problem areas
STEP 4: begin studying my screenwriting books again with this story and these problems in mind

4. Publish a poem
I write a lot of poetry (but not enough to finish a solid collection).  I think it is a rather useless art, but I would like to see if I can get a poem published.  Ideally I would like to get it published online or in some sort of zine or chapbook collection.  I don't know the first thing about publishing poetry though.

STEP 1: do some research into common ways to get poetry published
STEP 2: identify some places where I would like to submit a poem and qualify
STEP 3: select some poems for submission and fine tune them

5. Track my spending/budget
I have been rather unorganized and lackadaisical about tracking how I spend my money.  This is silly.  I would never run a budget or business like this professionally.  There is no excuse to be in such confusion and ignorance in my private affairs.  I have been using a budget system that doesn't quite work for me.  I need to spend some quality time (probably only a day or so) modifying that to something that works a little better for me personally and then stick to it.

STEP 1: Reassess my current budget structure.
STEP 2: Take stock of my current finances.
STEP 3: Develop or find something that will work a bit better.
STEP 4: Identify key rules/habits that will keep me on-top-of things and organized.

6. Apply for a passport
I don't 100% plan on being able to use a passport a lot this year, but this is something that I would like to do and prove that I am capable of doing as a sort of right of passage into adulthood.  I don't have tons of international-travel dreams but I do have some.  Having a passport makes those dreams more likely to happen.

STEP 1:  Figure out how one applies to get a passport.
STEP 2:  Figure out how long it will take.
STEP 3:  Figure out how much it will cost.
STEP 4:  Decide when to begin the application process.

7.  Get new glasses
 I spent money on getting new frames, but I chickened out of actually getting new lenses in them.

STEP 1:  Get exam and up-to-date prescription.
STEP 2:  Identify where to get the glasses made.
STEP 3:  Order the glasses.

8.  Visit Canada
I really want to visit Canada, and given where I live, it really isn't that difficult to get there.


STEP 1:  Decide where I would like to visit (Nova Scotia).
STEP 2:  Decide when I would like to visit and how long.
STEP 3:  Decide who I would like to come with me.
STEP 4:  See if it is possible to plan such a trip.

9.  Alter two items of clothing for myself
I have been wanting to learn to sew so that I can alter clothing.  So instead of the amorphous goal of 'learn to sew' I'm saying that I would like to successfully alter two pieces of clothing to fit me, preferably one top and one skirt.

STEP 1:  Decide who can teach me.
STEP 2:  Get advice as to what would be good starter items to alter.

10.  Get something tailored.
I really want to go to a tailor to get something tailored properly.  But I'm a little intimidated.  But I want to get over that.

STEP 1:  Identify some local tailors and their contact info and advice from others as to the quality of the work.
STEP 2:  Determine how much I am willing to spend.
STEP 3:  Select 2-3 things I would like to attempt to get altered (in case 1-2 alterations are not possible)

11.  Take a fitness class
I would like to get in better shape, but I would also like to take a class to learn some new skills, get professional guidance, and be around other people.  I have already signed up for fitness classes at a gym.  I just have to go to them now.   I have to go to 8 sessions of something.

STEP 1:  Identify which classes I would like to try.
STEP 2:  Get the stuff I need to attend the classes.
STEP 3:  Go to a class!

12.  Read at least 4 of these feminist books:
Lean In, Reverence to Rape, A Room of One's Own, The Second Sex,  The Beauty Myth, MaddAddam, The Feminine Mystique, Bad Feminist

STEP 1:  Pick a book to start with.
STEP 2:  Acquire book.
STEP 3:  Read book.
STEP 4:  Finish book.
STEP 5:  Pick next book to read.

13.  Organize something for Directed By Women--- a global viewing party happening in Sept 2015.

14.  Write those think piece articles I am constantly thinking about.
I have a couple ideas for articles I would like to write *someday* but I never get around to actually working on.  I think I should just get those written!  I specifically have ideas on the tv shows Pretty Little Liars and Bones, and also the movie Snow White and the Huntsman.

STEP 1:  Outline what I would like to say about one of my article ideas.
STEP 2:  Do the relevant research.
STEP 3:  Write a first draft.

15.  Buy a new laptop
Seriously need to do this.  I've got some guidance from some people recently on what to get.  I need to spend a solid day or two figuring out the specifications I want, and then find something in my price range.

STEP 1: Identify the main things I will need my laptop to do.
STEP 2: Work out what the specifications are for what I want.
STEP 3:  Investigate the price range available for what I want.
STEP 4:  Modify expectations or price range.
STEP 5:  Choose a vendor.

16.  Keep to a blogging schedule
I enjoy blogging.  But I tend to go on month-long hiatuses.  And not because I don't have anything to write about.  Usually for stupid reasons.  I would like to get into the habit of writing and turning out content on a more regular basis.  I think it will also help me figure out a writing process that works for me.

STEP 1:  Come up with a blogging schedule.
STEP 2:  Try to stick to it.
STEP 3:  Modify schedule as I figure out what works.  (Don't just abandon it!)

17.  Help a friend make her film a reality
A friend of mine has a script she is currently working on that she would like to try to film in the next year or so.  I think her idea is really cool, I enjoy working with her, and I would love to be on the team that helps get this film made!

STEP 1:  Read script. (So embarrassing I haven't read it all yet.)
STEP 2:  Educate myself on ways to get funding for the script.

18.  Start learning a little web design
I don't really know what this means, but I want to get more code and web design savvy.

STEP 1:  Figure out a good place to start/get advice from people who know about these things

19.  Finish books I have already started:
Survival of the Prettiest, Ishmael/My Ishmael/Story of B, Ode Less Traveled, Anna Karenina, Contagious (by Jonah Berger), Jim Henson: The Biography

STEP 1:  Finish Contagious (will need to return this to the library soon)
STEP 2:  Finish Ishmael
STEP 3:  Finish Survival of the Prettiest

20.  Organize a Clothing Swap or Yard Sale
I have a bunch of clothes to get rid of, and I want to meet other fashion-interested ladies in my area.  Clothing swaps are really fun and a great way to meet other people in your area and be exposed to new styles.  I also think yard sales are kind of fun and it would be an healthy challenge to have one.  So I would like to try to organize one of the two!

STEP 1:  Decide in what month it would be reasonable to expect to host a swap/sale (and decided if there is enough time to prepare).
STEP 2:  Ask others if they would like to help organize, attend etc.

21.  Develop a financial plan for my loans
I would like to take a hard look at my student loans, and see if I can come up with a payment plan that will help me get them paid off faster.

STEP 1:  Revisit all my loan paperwork so I have a firm grasp of all the aspects.
STEP 2:  Find some people I trust and who have expertise that can give me helpful advice.
STEP 3:  Explore options for paying off loans faster than my current monthly installments.

22.  Enroll in new medical insurance plan
I have to enroll in a new medical insurance plan through work this year (October actually).  It is a little overwhelming, but I can totally do this.  I want to make an informed and independent decision.

STEP 1:  Gather the up-to-date information on the plans offered.
STEP 2:  Ask others at my workplace why they opted into one plan or another.
STEP 3:  Talk to the necessary admins to get enrolled.

23.  Watch these 10 classic movies that I have never seen
Malcolm X, Blade Runner, Capote, The Virgin Suicides, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Strangers on a Train (I've seen the only the first 45 mins), Groundhog Day (so I can finally understand the references!),  Rosemary's Baby, Young Frankenstein, Badlands

STEP 1:  Figure out if any of these are available on Netflix Instant

24.  Update a YouTube channel at work
At work I manage a YouTube channel.  It has existed for ~6 years and ~600 videos.  It has not really been managed at all.  I am in the process of trying to clean it up, make it more presentable, and harness all the cool things you can do on a YouTube channel.  However I keep getting distracted or lazy.  I have improved it a lot over the past year, and now some other departments at my workplace are recognizing this.  I would really like to complete a full update to it, especially before I leave.  It is also a great opportunity for me to learn more about social media and SEO, and foster some interdepartmental collaboration.

STEP 1:  Get advice from the marketing department, especially regarding partnership and SEO.
STEP 2:  Develop plan for eliminating bad content.
STEP 3:  Reorganize existing content and develop protocol for new content.

25.  TBD I can't decide on another goal yet!  But I don't want to hold up publishing my list!  So I'll add a new one later.

26.  Private health-related goal.