2010: My Year In Review

The speed at which a year can go by can sometimes take you completely by surprise. You can look at the calendar, and just wonder in quiet amazement at how December fell right into your lap. This is how I feel, looking back at the previous year in dubious surprise that it’s nearly gone again. I find that looking forward and looking backward aren’t things that happen very congruously.

Revisiting last years goals.

To put things in perspective, let’s review the items that I wrote up last year and see how I did, shall we?

1. Really need to lose some weight. A lot of weight.
   I lost a bit at first, but ended up failing this goal barely halfway though the year. Don’t think that this will stop me from trying again in the coming year though.
2. Can (and will) publish a book of illustration and/or a graphic novel (stemmed from some old ideas).
   The novel got off to a very good start. This was low on my priority list though, but I am on a good track to finish this one in 2011. I also have an idea for an instructional book (more on this will be posted in January).
3. Dust off and re-string the guitars. Music is a good hobby to have, and I've let mine laps a little too much.
   I played a bit more this past year than I did in previous recent years, and was surprised at how soft my fingertips had gotten (oh, the pain). Still, this is a tertiary hobby, and 2011 will determine where this fits in with my future goals.
4. Take time to visit good friends, even those out of town (thinking of my buddy Keith in Chicago).
   I did spend more time with friends and family this past year, and my visit with Keith will be happening in January!
5. Continue appreciating my family every day that I live (not that I need reminding, but it's something I'm very proud of).
   2010 was a great year to bond with my family. We struggled through some difficult times, but in the end we are all closer for it. The love I have for my wife and children truly knows no bounds.
6. To rekindle the video art tutorials. This is already in the works, and I know a few people that miss the old Artcast.
   Epic win! The dandicast lives! Although I became ill near the end of the year that ended with bronchitis and laryngitis, dampening my ability to do any recording. Once I get my voice back to its full (some say “sexy”) potential, the podcasts will be back, better than ever.
7. To contribute 1 new artwork or blog post per week, per Project52.
   Project 52 got very out of hand in 2010, and compounded with my frustration over the types of content that was being submitted, I let it go idle until I could get a grip on how I wanted to approach it for 2011. I’ve learned a few lessons on community management through this, so not all is lost. P52 is coming back for another year, and sign-up is happening right now (until December 31st).
8. Attend at least 1 conference or event in 2010.
   After reading about that goal, Robert Eehart graciously invited me to attend his ExpressionEngine/CodeIgniter conference last June. Although not everything turned out as well as I had imagined (you can read about my experience here), I did have a great time. I appreciate and respect the opportunity that I was given, and was able to meet a lot of new and interesting people.
9. To donate more to charity.
   Ah, the last goal. Something that I think should just be a good thing for everyone to do. I prefer to keep my donations private, so even though I won’t be listing this again, it doesn’t mean that I’m not supporting it.

Eleven Goals for 2011

I would like to challenge myself more in 2011, and I would like to challenge you. If you‘re up to it, write eleven goals that you would like to achieve in the coming year, just as I have done here. The important thing is to come up with goals that aren’t superfluous, and that you can actually reach (and are quantifiable), even if it takes some serious work.

Here are my goals for 2011:

1. Work toward a financial position where I can resolve some debt issues.
2. Create at least 1 unique character sketch per week. This is to evolve my skills as an artist.
3. Create at least 1 unique and highly detailed illustration per month, either for a client, or for my own personal use. Again, to evolve my skills as an artist.
4. Continue learning the Objective-C programming language with the result of creating (not necessarily publishing) an application.
5. To successfully manage and maintain Project 52 and its membership.
6. Establish a returning client base of companies/designers that employ my skills as an illustrator.
7. To write an article for A List Apart.
8. To complete and illustrate the fiction book started in 2010 and distribute it digitally.
9. To begin work on a small instructional book covering illustration and web design.
10. To lose at least 40 pounds (I bring up the weight thing every year, but this time I’m putting a number on it).
11. To continue creating the dandicast, and attempt to surpass 150 subscribers.

So, what are you going to do for 2011?

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