Monday, November 3, 2014

Progress Report: Week 7

1.  Get a new job and move. No progress.
I didn't do the applications I was planning on doing over the weekend.  BAD.

STEP 1 spend some time job searching (by email updates have not be turning up too many good suggestions
STEP 2 is to crank out those applications.

2.  Make my own postcards. **TINY PROGRESS**
I spent some time on a couple sites looking at their templates and seeing if that was something I wanted to try.  That would certainly make it easier.  I discovered that while the picture side is relatively straight-forward, I am picky about how I want the back to look, so I'll probably have to design the back myself or work with someone to make a custom design.  I really DO need to pick a couple photos I want to start with.

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 No progress.

STEP 1: settle on an story idea I want to tackle
STEP 2: outline my thoughts so far
STEP 3:  Do a complete outline of the plot points.
STEP 4: identify my major problem areas
STEP 5: Get out my screenwriting books again with this story to help structure the story

4. Publish a poem No progress.

STEP 0: send poems to my friend for editing
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 **PROGRESS**
So I've just faced that what I'm doing now isn't working that well.  I looked into using some online budget apps or platforms because I like the idea of being able to update the info quickly and immediately.  But I don't like the idea of handing over access to my bank accounts.  I'm going to try out a new budget spreadsheet for the next couple months and get a handle on my habits and to help identify some goals.  I think this will help me decide what to do with some of my loans as well.

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.
STEP 5: Identify financial goals (like major purchases, savings goals, loan payoffs etc.)

6. Apply for a passport No progress.

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 **PROGRESS**
Got my updated prescription and ordered my new glasses.  Just have to wait for them to call me to tell me they are ready!

STEP 1:  Get exam and up-to-date prescription.
STEP 2:  Identify where to get the glasses made.
STEP 3:  Order the glasses.
STEP 4:  Receive New Glasses!

8.  Visit Canada No progress.

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 No progress.

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. No progress.

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 **PROGRESS**
I have gone to 13 classes:  1 Yoga, 5 Zumba and 7 Balletone. I do want to try yoga again. I'm also trying to do some stretching and/or light cardio on the days when I am not at class because I've been getting really stiff and last week I was really tired in class!

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!
STEP 4:  Return to each of the classes at least 4 times.
STEP 5:  Come up with fitness routine/options for on days classes are not held.

12.  Read at least 4 of these feminist books: No progress.
Lean In, Reverence to Rape, A Room of One's Own, The Second Sex, The Beauty Myth, MaddAddam, The Feminine Mystique, Bad Feminist

Still reading Flappers, and have committed myself to reading Amy Poehler's new book, and I also got Lena Dunham's book from the library, and am reading a fun romance novel a friend of mine recently self published!  Eek! So much to read!

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. No progress.

STEP 1:  Review the guidelines
STEP 2:  Brainstorm some ideas.

14.  Write those think piece articles  No progress.

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 No progress.

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 **PROGRESS**
I've decided to try to do 3 posts a week on here, and 1 post a week on another blog I write for.  I'm going to see if I can keep up with that.  I'm curious to see if it works better for me to tackle them one by one throughout the month or to get a whole bunch of them written at once and ready.

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.  **TINY PROGRESS**
There is an updated version of the script that I have to read and then send back thoughts/notes on.  Then I also have to do some research to find some funding applications!

STEP 1:  Read script. (So embarrassing I haven't read it all yet.)
STEP 2:  Follow up with my friend about how the project is progressing and my thoughts on the script.
STEP 3:  Educate myself on ways to get funding for the script.

18.  Start learning a little web design No progress.

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: **PROGRESS**
Survival of the Prettiest, Ishmael/My Ishmael/Story of B, Ode Less Traveled, Anna Karenina, Contagious (by Jonah Berger), Jim Henson: The Biography

Contagious is DONE!

STEP 1:  Finish Contagious
STEP 2:  Finish Ishmael
STEP 3:  Finish Survival of the Prettiest
STEP 4:  Read Story of B

20.  Organize a Clothing Swap or Yard Sale No Progress

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 No Progress

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 **COMPLETED**
I finally spent a couple hours figuring out everything that seemed confusing and then go that paperwork done on the last day of open enrollment!

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:  Do paperwork.
STEP 4:  Submit paperwork.

23.  Watch these 10 classic movies that I have never seen **PROGRESS**

Malcolm X, Blade Runner, Capote, The Virgin Suicides, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Strangers on a Train, Groundhog Day,  Rosemary's Baby, Young Frankenstein, Badlands

STEP 1:  Figure out if any of these are available on Netflix Instant Virgin Suicides and Rosemary's Baby are currently on Netflix!
STEP 2:  Watch Rosemary's Baby
STEP 3:  Watch The Virgin Suicides.

24.  Update a YouTube channel at work **TINY PROGRESS**
I created a new playlist I have been wanting to make for a while.  I still need to source more content from some other departments etc. and I have one video in particular that I need to get uploaded, but I'm having trouble getting it from the people who created it.

STEP 1:  Get advice from the marketing department, especially regarding partnership and SEO.
STEP 1a:  Discuss my plans with my boss.
STEP 2:  Develop plan for eliminating bad content.
STEP 2a: Develop timeline for eliminating bad content.
STEP 3:  Reorganize existing content and develop protocol for new content.
STEP 4:  Follow up with partners on two new playlist ideas I have.

25.  TBD I can't decide on another goal yet!  I think I might leave this for my New Year's Resolution.

26.  Private health-related goal. No progress.

Score:  Progress on 10 of 25 goals.

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