I’m feeling great about the new year. I think I’ve accomplished everything I wanted to in 2009, made some tough decisions that worked out for the best and learned even more lessons in my twenty-eighth year. This is the first year in a long time that I haven’t made any New Year’s Resolutions. Why? Because I’m content with where I’m at.
So how about you? What is the best accomplishment you made in 2009? What do you plan to make your biggest accomplishment in 2010? What was your best moment in 2009? What are you looking forward to most in 2010 from those around you? If you could make one big New Year’s resolution for 2010 for everyone around you, what would it be?
My Answers:
What is the best accomplishment you made in 2009?
I left a job that I was just not happy with to do what I’ve always wanted to do, be a full-time freelance writer. But what I really appreciated was all of my contacts continued to stay in touch about different events. This showed me that they appreciated my work regardless of the publication I was writing for. Loyal readers and loyal supporters introduce precious relationships.
What do you plan to make your biggest accomplishment in 2010?
I go to sleep around 6 a.m. to 7 a.m., wake up around 2 p.m., and work until about 10 p.m. with different freelance companies. I’d love to be able to continue to work from home for the rest of my life. And if I have to head back into corporate, I’m determined to have a career that I love just as much as I love working from home.
What was your best moment in 2009?
I stared in admiration at CNN taping President Barack H. Obama on Inauguration Day. I was just as dumbfounded that he was standing there with his hand on the Bible and First Lady Michelle Obama standing next to him as I was with my press pass while I walked through Grant Park in 2008.
What are you looking forward to most in 2010 from those around you?
I’m looking forward to seeing what else the Obama administration can do to help America. On a personal level, I’m looking forward to building up my contacts even more. There’s so much to write about and so little time. I learn so much by writing about topics that challenge me to do deeper research.
If you could make one big New Year’s resolution for 2010 for everyone around you, what would it be?
Before I resigned from a previous job, a co-worker I gained a lot of respect for told me “never operate off of emotion. You might make the wrong decision.” So I started really considering the consequences of my decisions, and I found that I made smarter decisions when I did just that. I hope others do the same, especially the Generation Y crowd because it hurts my heart a little bit more every time I see somebody else taking someone’s life. Let’s get it together, Chicago!