Happy New Years - Some Goals for the Year

I wish everyone a Happy New Year and all the best in 2014.  January 1st is always a time of new beginnings and setting our sights high.  In recent years, it has been my tradition to set some stitching related goals for myself and to share them here.  I didn't do it last year and I wonder if that is why it seemed to be a "lost year"  as far as getting anything accomplished.  So, this year I am mending my ways and getting my goals down in writing here.  I usually aim high and then am happy with whatever I manage to achieve.  Sharing them here helps keep them in mind and keeps me honest.  So, without further ado, here is my yearly very long, very boring post!

2014 GOALS

1. Stitch for 15 minutes a day - every day.  This is the best goal I ever set for myself and has kept me on track more than anything else I have done.  If you stitch for 15 minutes every day (yes, set a timer!) you will likely keep stitching longer on a lot of days.  Even if you don't, you will be stitching 1-3/4 hours a week which isn't too shabby.  Also, and most important, I know that if I don't stitch today, I likely won't stitch tomorrow and before I know it the trend snowballs and I'm not going to be stitching at all.
2. Blog regularly.  I fell down on this hopelessly this year and as a result only a couple of diehards are still reading my blog - thank you both of you!  lol  If I post what I am stitching I can see that I am accomplishing something and that is all good.  It is another tool to keep me going which can be difficult as I cycle in and out of the depressed state which is par for the course for me.
3. One show or exhibition this year!  Doesn't have to be big (it won't be) but something to get me out there at least locally.  It doesn't have to crazy quilting either - just some sort of art or craft.  I am dabbling more now with other things which is fun and helps to get all the stash under control!
4. Write at least two articles and submit them for publication.  It's another way to get yourself out there and the research is good discipline.  Lord knows I need discipline! lol  Once again, I don't expect to get two pieces published, but I would like to at least write them and submit them - that is the goal.
5. Start taking EAC correspondence courses with the goal of getting my Teacher's Certification from EAC.  This will be long and drawn out - there are quite a few courses needed but this year I will actually start!  We'll see how far I get.
6. On a similar note, I would like to get back into teaching stitching which means getting some teaching proposals organized and getting them submitted in time for fall deadlines.
7. This year I am going to aim at entering at least two competitions with my stitching.  Not as ambitious as my related goals in other years but for the queen of procrastination it might be more realistic.
8. One item made and donated to charity each month.  This will be more difficult now that AAQI is over and done with.  I have been making them little art quilts for some time now and it was a charity that was a perfect fit for me. Expanding to other forms of stitching and crafts will make it a bit easier to accomplish though.
9. You get from something the amount you put into it so I will continue to try to "pay back? through my involvement in The Embroiderers' Association of Canada, the new EAC Virtual Threads cyber chapter and The Calgary Guild of Needle and Fibre Arts.  I am toying with the ultimate payback - teaching youth to stitch.  This is pretty scary for me to contemplate - the ultimate commitment because you can't go around letting kids down once you commit.  I will continue to mull this one around in my mind though and see where it takes me.
10. This next one is totally predictable - "the room".  I will take up a seam ripper and get in there and get it organized and under control so I can work.  Right now it is just the biggest stash closet imaginable!

I am stopping there.  Ten goals is a lot for one year and I will have to discipline myself to accomplish everything there or at least make a good stab at it.  I will report on my progress here so that I can keep myself accountable.  I usually only make stitching goals but have two non-stitching goals in mind for this year as well - the totally predictable wish to have a healthier lifestyle being first and foremost.  Wish me luck!