New Year, new resolutions, and how did I do with the last lot?

So last year at about this time, I came up with three SMART resolutions for 2011 - which means it's time to figure out how I did with those. It's also time to set some new resolve for 2012.

Last year's resolutions were as follows:

1. Continue being pro-active in seeking a partner. (Measured by whether I maintain the same amount of initial contacts, and whether or not I manage to pluck up the courage to make a first move in r/l situations)
2. Investigate and find a way to get into adult movie performing
3. Join at least one local sports team (the cricket club and possibly a pub football ('soccer') team)

With my forays into investigating and even trying out some pick-up artistry, I'd call #1 a resounding success. I may not have ended up with any partners during 2011, but the things that were measurable and achievable and down to my own efforts, I have actually done.

While I have definitely investigated and found possible ways into adult movie performing for myself, I have to count #2 as only a partial success, because I never actually explored those possibilities. I can't claim to have found a way in, because I never knocked on the door. Partly this has been due to health issues (specifically, I developed a verruca on my toe and it seemed unlikely that that would be welcome on a porn set!) and partly because I focussed on some other stuff in 2011, including working towards resolution #3.

#3 is another resounding success in that the things that were in my control, I did. I exercised, I went to the nets practices of the local cricket club, and I tried out for an amateur soccer team. In that vein, although I don't view it as sporting because I'm not doing it against anyone or with a team, I have also started reading and trying to get at least a basic grasp of, some kung fu. Over the year, with a modicum of portion control and a little bit of vigorous exercise every day plus the regular walking up and down hills that goes with living where I do, I have managed to lose 1.5 stone in weight, which if I recall correctly equates to 21 pounds. Steady, sustainable, weight loss has to count as a good thing, I think.

So, I did #1 and #3, but whiffed on #2. As Meat Loaf sang, "Two Out OF Three Ain't Bad". Let's go for something better in the next year!

After having the relationship-pursuit resolution two years running, it now feels like a regular part of life: I don't need that one any more. The sports resolution is also something I don't feel like putting as a target this year, although I may (again) pursue it when the cricket nets season comes around again. For now, I'll focus on my exercise regime and those kung fu books and keep those going. I also don't want to make a specific target out of my adult movie ambitions, although with the research I've done, if my health holds out then I may well follow that up in 2012 as well.

So, what have I decided to go for in 2012?

I have two SMART resolutions this year:

1. Perform for the talent show "The X-Factor"
2. Complete one chapter per month of my novel's first draft

For #1, I have already applied to go on the show. I cannot control whether or not the judges will pick me to go through to the finals - I can't even control whether the editors will pick my performance to include in the audition shows. What I can control is how well-prepared and practised I am when I appear on the stage before the judges. So, I have started choosing songs that I know I can sing confidently and well, I have selected one for the audition, and the rest are options for if I have the (mis)fortune to be put forward to the later rounds. I have been practising singing them both solo voice, and accompanied by my guitar (I also have started programming backing tracks for my practise on Garage Band). As the saying goes, the more I practise, the luckier I seem to get.

For #2, I know that I usually manage about 1,000 words in an hour, and my chapters are usually around 4k words long. So, once a week sitting down at the computer and typing for an hour ought to get me through a chapter a month. I have been slacking, or spending my words on Cyborg Sleeps or random porn-writing, recently. My intention is to get a bit more focus and get my Big Story Idea onto paper (or at least, digital storage). I doubt I will finish the novel in 2012, but if I get going then maybe I will end up going more quickly than I imagine.

I also have a non-SMART resolution that nevertheless I feel can be performed successfully. I consider it non-SMART because it is not specific or measurable in the way the others are. That resolution is picking up on a trend I noticed in my life during the past year and so the resolution is to maintain that trend through 2012. In various ways, I found myself testing myself and going beyond my comfort zone. Therefore, resolution 3 for 2012 is as follows:

• Continue to seek ways to push my boundaries and explore my limits

Some of the ways I did that in 2011 were by going on the family holiday in December, by going to the football practice in September, by following through on some of the pick-up artistry stuff (although I haven't maintained that recently), by having my hair cut short (I'll need to get back to the hairdresser once the seasons turn back to spring again).

So, my three resolutions for 2012:

1. Perform for the talent show "The X-Factor"
2. Complete one chapter per month of my novel's first draft
3. Continue to seek ways to push my boundaries and explore my limits