Lets all diss 2011.

Let’s face it, I’m disappointed with what I accomplished in 2011. It all seemed under control a year ago when I faced a blank slate. I was certain that at last, I had my life under control and was ready to make my dreams all come true. There was so much promise to 2011 one year ago and so much time to make it all happen.

365 days seems like so much rime from the perspective of day one. How could I not make great progress? But now looking back over the year, it is clear that I fell way short of my goals. Sometimes it seems that I made no progress at all. Still if you set your goals high, you aren’t always going to reach them on the schedule you set. It is probably inevitable that you close down a year with disappointment. Still I have to ask if I made any progress at all.

My wife and I were talking about 2011 last night. She didn’t have the year she wanted but there were good points along he way. She was pleased at finally doing some things that had been on her bucket list. She went skydiving and started horseback riding lessons. I didn’t join her in either. I watch but have no compelling reason to participate. Still part of my pleasure in 2011 was seeing her enjoy those activities.

My results for 2011 were less satisfying. My prime directive for 2011 was to make more money and I only had limited success. I have learned some new skills and developed new tools but the results I anticipated didn’t happen. I also wanted to begin drawing. While I did get some implements and a sketchbook, it has not become a regular activity for me. Starting things is important but making them part of your normal life takes commitment. I’m not there yet.

What to do?

I’ve always been a ‘glass half-full’ kind of guy and so I tell myself that I learned a lot last year and built a good foundation for supporting real results this year, I don’t know how right my rosy perspective is. I do work with a coach who has helped me become better organized and focused and she tells me that I did make progress but for me it doesn’t seem like much. Still I plug on.

So the new year is bittersweet as I plan my goals. Nothing was as easy as I hoped and I time is passing quickly. I can’t help believing that I should be much farther along but my choices are limited. I can give up and save myself this frustration or I can keep on plugging while trying to make faster progress. I may never produce the income I need to work my own bucket list but if I stop trying, I must settle for the life I have right now.

Which is better?

Pushing on in the hope of a brighter future or settling for the life I have right now? It’s not hard for me to decide. I’m pushing on.

Now looking forward to a new 2012, how do you feel about 2011 and what are your hopes for 2012? Did you learn any lessons that might help do better this year? Leave a comment and share your thought.