A look back at 2012 goals… how’d I do?

Remember this? My goals for 2012? I suppose, now that it’s January 3, 2013 that it’s time to review last year’s goals before making new ones for TWENTY THIRTEEN.

You know, it’s funny. I never used to like making goals.

Julieverse and JMP Media Professional Goals of 2012

Here we go… copying and pasting the main ideas of each goal.

Continue to be a resource for moms (parents) offering tips in education, organization, child development and fashion.

Yep. I think I did that. Not as much in organization, though meal planning is a biggie for me.

Serious income goal… I’m looking for more freelance work writing about education, development, parenting, marketing, fashion, and organization as well as clients in social media… Continue freelance writing and find more opportunities for columns and… I’d like to take on a part time blog management and social media marketing position for a larger company and website. Ideally, I’ll connect with a company with similar interests to mine: education, early education, child development where I’ll be able to write about education full time and use my marketing and public relations skills with a social media focus.

Well, woohoo! Darn. I did it! I’ve picked up a steady force of freelance writing for Rusty & Rosy, Marie Callenders and, soon-to-be live, P&G Everyday and Home Made Simple, in addition to a bit of guest posting last year.

And then there’s my job with PlayWOW as Child Development Specialist and social media representative. I mean, wow. I’m doing exactly what I’d hoped and wanted. (You can like PlayWOW on Facebook and follow on twitter @playwowtoys. But I hope you’ll do more. I’d love more engagement on both.)

Getting here didn’t happen overnight, but I am so, so excited that I’m looking at 2013 with these amazing opportunities.

Attend more conferences and seminars where I can actually walk away having learned something and met fascinating people.

So, while I attended a few conferences this year, it’s really true that some conferences are just better for learning than others. TypeA and Disney Social Media Moms were truly this for me. At Type A, which I’ve described as a Sorority Retreat for a weekend away, you get so much, and you give so much. You learn and participate all day long, and then party with your besties at night. I’m so excited that Kelby has created TypeA Advanced for this coming spring and wheeee! it will be here in Philadelphia!

I was thrilled to be invited to Disney Social Media Moms conference in 2012. I suffered a lot of separation anxiety–it’s hard to be at Disney World with hundreds of kiddies running around you and not have your own there. I had an amazing time with my friends and one never-to-be-forgotten night out with those same “besties” from TypeA. And I learned a lot about Disney World. But I also learned a lot about myself at DisneySMMoms.Their line-up of speakers was inspirational–nearly every one gave me something to take home in my heart and mind and ponder. I’m grateful to Disney for the 2012 invite. And I’d be keeping something out of this post if I didn’t say that I’m truly hoping to find an invite in my spam folder again this year!

Have a serious one-to-one conversation with a book editor.

So, in this goal I went on to say that I had this big long term goal of writing a book but needed some direction. And while, who knows?, maybe some day that will be something I do… I spent a lot of time thinking about this goal this year, and decided that it’s no longer a goal. Short term or long term. I am so pleased with not getting my life tied into book writing that, even though I have a million ideas that would all be fabulous books, I just don’t have the commitment or motivation to write one. And that means something–it means that I’m not destined (for now) to be a book author. I’ll tell you… knowing that, realizing it, saying it. It feels good!

Work side-by-side with more brands as a spokesperson and ambassador.

In my work with PlayWOW and Marie Callenders, I’m so excited to share that I’m doing just these things. I truly hope that these journeys will continue and lead to more. I’m thrilled to do longterm work with companies I believe in.

My Personal Goals of 2012

Stick to a cleaning routine

I’m getting there. I’ve found so much more balance in my life now that I have regular working hours that it seems to be working right for me. But I’m not there yet. This will be on my list again in 2013.

Stick to a finance routine.

Something I didn’t plan in January of 2012 was to attend the Pfizer Live well. Get Old. blogger conference. And even when I received the itinerary, I had no idea that I’d soon be inspired by Amanda Steinberg of DailyWorth. Oh, but inspired I was. It took meeting her and listening to her to realize that I could become involved in my expenses. Organized, even.

I still have some work to do to prepare for my taxes of 2012, because, no matter what I tried, it took until December to actually get it together. But this was an enormous step for me, and I’m confident I’ll continue in my financial learning and confidence in coming years.

Turn off the computer after school and make that time, kids time.

Moving from a laptop to a desktop and setting specific office hours for myself has made an enormous difference on not just the balance in my life, but also in the time I spend with my children. Yay!

Get lost in evening TV or reading.

Again, it’s the influence of the desktop that has allowed me to turn away from the computer and social media. I truly have 2 nights a week of TV (Tuesday and Thursday) because they are, I’m sure you’ll agree, the best nights for TV. And I try very hard to watch all of my shows each week. The laughter, the drama, the getting lost in it… it’s healthy.

As for books, I joined Big and read the entire Percy Jackson series. (Love love love the time we spent doing this and that I’m sharing so much with him. Plus the books were great!) I learned he’s a much faster reader than I, and he has a lot more time to read, as he looped me on the books. Read more about my experience in Book Clubbing with your child.

Other books this year that I read and enjoyed:

• 11/22/63: A Novel (Stephen King)–excellent. I’ve never been a King fan but I’m a huge time travel fan and just loved this book. Whoa! If you have a Kindle, 11/22/63 is only $3.99.
• Defending Jacob: A Novel (William Landay) — read it. Just read it, my friends. It’s an excellent courtroom drama novel that explores family relations theories of heredity. Of course, there’s an OMG twist at the end.
• The Song of Achilles: A Novel (P.S.) (Madeline Miller). I selected this book because it’s based on Greek Mythology and Big is so into Greek Mythology. I am so glad I didn’t have him read it with me. Not at all appropriate for children, but great story telling as Miller molds ancient stories into modern storytelling. (This one is a great price in paperback at only $8.40)
• Gone Girl: A Novel (Gillian Flynn). This was selected as one of Amazon’s best books of the year and I can totally see why. You’ll mouth drop a few times. In fact, I was reading this at the same time as many friends and every now and then we’d text or facebook each other “OMG I just got to the next part!” and the other person would be like “me too! I can’t believe that twist!” and then we’d sit and wonder which twist the other person is OMGing about because there are so many. As with a lot of other readers, the end left me with a little bit of a “really? that’s it?!” feeling. Read it anyway. The feeling is worth it.
• Wife 22: A Novel (Melanie Gideon). I finished 2012 reading a light-hearted chicklit book. It was the perfect vacation book, one to curl up in a chair reading and enjoying. This book is very social media based, and if you don’t understand Facebook, email and the like, then you probably won’t enjoy this book. The story itself is light and friendly, but as you read you take pause, often, to consider your relationships as the story is focused around a woman who is looks deeply at her own.
• The Sandcastle Girls: A Novel (Chris Bohjalian) Actually, I’m just starting 2013 reading this book… so you’ll just have to wait for next year, or visit me on Facebook or twitter (I’m @juliempron) to learn what I think of it. I always share!

Continue the exercise pattern of Pilates two times a week, plus aerobic workouts one to two times a week.

So… yeah. No. I didn’t complete this goal. But that’s okay. I’ve actually quit Pilates! (I know, I can’t believe that after 3ish years I stopped.) I still work my core, but I stepped away from my comfort zone and tried new classes like Zumba, CXWorx, H.I.I.T, Lean Conditioning, Body Bar… and more! And I feel even better now.

Continue to say “no” when people ask too much of me.

I’m starting to get good at this one.

Become more active in local un-politics.

I’m not sure where this is going, really. I’m definitely not afraid to share my beliefs and ask questions, but there doesn’t seem to be involvement to be a part of, not really. And that’s just fine. I mean. I want to focus on our family. That’s more important for 2013.

WOW! It’s now after midnight and I’m finally finished reflecting on my 2012 goals and their outcomes. And, just, WOW! I’m thrilled at the year I’ve had. This post actually felt good to write. Now writing my 2013 goals… that might will take a little more time.

(this post contains affiliate links, thank you)

© 2013, Julie Meyers Pron. All rights reserved.

About Julie Meyers Pron

Julie Meyers Pron has written 1195 post in this blog.

mom of 3 and wife, Julie is a former elementary school teacher and a Public Relations manager. She is the owner/editor of Julieverse and VlogMom, columnist for Rusty & Rosy, Home Made Simple and P&G Everyday, the Social Media and Child Development Specialist at PlayWow, and a team member of Splash Creative Media. Julie is a PTOer, volunteer, elementary educator and that's just the beginning of the list. A marketing strategist and freelance writer by trade, Julie attempts to carve out time to enjoy playing with her kids, cooking and exercise.

• View all posts by Julie Meyers Pron →
• Blog
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Google+