Your 2011 Goals: Achieved, Postponed Or Cancelled?

December 21, 2011

Each and every year, I always set goals for myself, generally in relation to my working life.

Although I’m not going to set goals for 2012 until early January (as discussed in last week’s post, ‘Bucking The End Of Year Trend — Reflecting, But Not Preparing. Yet.’), the end of the year is always a good time to reflect on goals that were set for the existing year.

And I’ll happily start!

1. Stop working 70 hour weeks

I’m pleased to say — very pleased to say! — that I managed to achieve this goal several months ago.

The problem was that I was working a full time salaried role in addition to 30+ hours writing and so when two part-time opportunities arose — one salaried, one freelance — I took them both and instantly reduced my working hours by almost 50%, while still bringing in the same amount of money each month.

2. Develop my client base

While I’ve actually reduced my client base in terms of numbers, I see this goal as achieved, as my client base has almost completely changed, developing from a handful of clients to just one or two, while still seeing the same level of income.

3. Learn a language

My intentions started off really well with this goal and I got my Better Half involved, too (we started learning 10 new French words every day), but the simple truth is I didn’t have enough time to continue with it.

I honestly do want to learn a language, so I’m going to postpone this goal and hopefully move it forward into 2012.

4. Work on a kick start / support / assistance idea I have

Although I’ve still got this idea in mind, I’ve done next to no work on it this year and I don’t believe I’m going to have the time to in 2012 either, so I’m unfortunately going to cancel it. Maybe some day!

5. Look at a move to London

I was initially looking at a move to London with my Better Half as we spend a lot of time down there with friends and family and although we did look in mid-2010 at a move, we postponed it for various reasons.

We did take another look this year, but I don’t think it’s ever going to be a permanent move, at least not in the foreseeable future — we have such a lot coming up over the next 18 months, that I think a visit every few weeks is going to be the best option, rather than a full time move.

So for that reason, I’m going to say that this goal is cancelled.

6. Increase my rates

I see this as an achieved goal, as while I didn’t increase my rates with several existing clients, I successfully applied a new rate card to all new clients.

7. Look at other opportunities

Not long after I initially set this goal, a new opportunity came up and it’s one that I’ve been heavily involved in throughout the full year.

I’ve had to stop working with some clients and it’s meant more travel than I initially planned, but the opportunity is fantastic and it’s one that I see continually developing right throughout 2012 and beyond.

For me, the last 12 months have, overall, been successful and I don’t believe that I’ve blatantly ignored any goal. Some have been achieved easily, others I’ve had to put on the back burner, but generally speaking, 2011 has been a great year for me.

How about you? Has 2011 been a good year? Did you achieve your goals?

And as this is my last blog post before Christmas, I really do hope that you have a very Merry Christmas!