Rearview Mirror: March 2011
Earlier this year, I set several goals for myself that I want to accomplish before the year is out. Previously, I would routinely set goals and then hope to accomplish them. Sometimes I did and sometimes I didn’t. But what I didn’t do is follow up periodically to see if I was making any progress. That changes this year.
Here is a list of the goals I have set for myself along with notes on the progress, if any, I made on the goal during March. The majority of the goals were detailed in my Making Plans for 2011 post from earlier this year. I’ve added a few goals to the list since then as well.
You can find updates from previous months here:
March was a good month. It was certainly better for me than February. I recovered from the flu/bronchitis/sinus infection/and whatever else I had in February to get back to working on my goals for the year.
Here’s the latest on how I’m doing on my goals:
Write a Novel — I spent a lot of time writing in March, but I didn’t do much writing on the novel. When it comes to writing, I’ve been trying to go from 0-100 mph instantly rather than working my way up to it. I’m doing a lot of writing on this blog, my racing blog, I’m writing short stories and I’m spending the end of March and first half of April reporting on the Nashville Film Festival for Nashville.com. I’m writing a lot, but not making progress on the novel. I need to re-evalute my approach on the novel in the next few days. Either I need to commit completely to moving forward on the book or back off for now and come back to it when I have more time.
Continue With Plans to Race in the Rolex 24 at Daytona — I was supposed to race at Road America on March 26-27, but the race was postponed due to snow and ice. My next race will be on April 23 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Learn to Play Guitar — I’m starting to make some progress. I’m practicing more and learning the chords I should have learned a month ago. Lessons are more fun when I understand what’s going on. Also, thanks to Micah for turning me on to GuitarTricks.com. Good stuff!
Learn to Play Piano — No progress to report. I likely won’t move forward on this goal until later this year.
Kayak the Length of the St. John’s River — Nothing new since last month.
Circumnavigate Wisconsin by Bicyle or Foot — Nothing new to report
Start the Adoption Process — Last month I thought this goal was dead. However, maybe not. We’re talking about it again. As it turns out, the kids are in favor of adoption. I’m not holding my breath, but I’m trying to stay optimistic. Also, I got involved during March with an organization called Burning Both Ends. They are pushing for changes to the way international adoptions are done. I don’t know what form my involvement with the organization is going to take, but I’m looking forward to learning more about their plans and helping them to revamp international adoptions.
Apply for an MFA in Creative Writing — I applied for the MFA in January and received word at the beginning of March that I had not been accepted into the program. I’m disappointed, but not surprised. I applied to Vanderbilt University. They received more than 600 applications and chose just six candidates.
Launch Short Stories Website — I wanted to have this done by the end of March, but it looks like I am going to be a week or two behind schedule. I should have some exciting news on this front very soon.
Launch Other Internet Businesses — Nothing new to report. This goal is taking a back seat to some of the other things I am doing.
Read the 100 Best Novels of the 20th Century — In March, I read John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath.” I enjoyed the book. It was certainlny better than “A Portrait of an Artist as Young Man” by James Joyce, which I read in February. In April I plan on reading F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.”
