This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!

Friday, January 3, 2014

2014? Now What?

English: Two New Year's Resolutions postcards
English: Two New Year's Resolutions postcards (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
      Happy another year!

       A few days into 2014, where are you and where are you going?   Will this be another same ol' same ol' or do you intend to make some serious changes?  Maybe it's time to get into high gear and put on the pressure to move ahead.    Maybe it's time to slow down and take things easier.

       What do you plan for the upcoming year?

        I have no specific resolutions or mapped out plans.   I'll be working on making some supplemental income to help out with life expenses.  That may crimp my blogging activity more than in the previous year.  At the same time though I hope to blog and network better than in the previous year.  Less vacations?  I hope not, but so far I have no concrete travel plans in the works.

        Writing needs to play a bigger role in my life.  Not just blogging writing--I do love that--but the writing that will lead to publication.  I got on a short productive burst last year, but got sidetracked by travel and other activities.   They're all priorities for me, but now I need to prioritize the priorities.

        Another year, another chapter of my crazy life.  

     
       I hope you'll be joining us on January 20th for the "What Works...Online Marketing Symposium".  That should be a big step for some of you.  Don't say you know nothing about marketing or don't use marketing.  You have something to add so I hope you'll tell us about your perspective of marketing.  More info to come at Tossing It Out.
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         Then of course there's the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.  Click the link for more info or be watching my site for more info.  We will be reorganizing a new team for the 2014 edition.   If you're interested then let me know in the comments or with an email.  And if you're not ready for the bigger responsibility of being part of the A to Z Team then you can still help out by assisting a Team member.  More on that later.
A to Z April Challenge 2013
Did you survive the 2013 Challenge?
         Lot's ahead.   Keep visiting Tossing It Out and don't forget to comment when you do.  Even if you're just saying "Hi".

          Have you made any special New Year's resolutions for 2014?   What are your biggest plans for the year to come?   Will you be joining us for What Works to give us your insights about marketing?   Are you ready for the 2014 A to Z Challenge?


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30 comments:

  1. I am really looking forward to the A to Z challenge. I sadly missed it last year but that will not be happening again. Happy new year I hope it's a good one :)

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  2. i am still trying to pull it together for this year, i am piecing the last of the "life" stuff that rolled from 2013 to now.... clever, quick and correct post. that is what i am going for, i hope that "What Works...Online Marketing Symposium" will make it even better.

    oh gosh... then preparing for the "A to Z Challenge", geesh half the year is over all ready... wink!

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  3. Looking forward to the A to Z Challenge also in April there is a concert I am attending here in the UK of Daniel.
    I still get problems joining the A to Z site.Either by clicking on the Followers connect also Manage Readers.
    Yvonne.

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  4. And we need all the Minions we can get!
    I'm thinking of signing up the IWSG site for the Challenge? Think that's too much? I just might live in front of my computer this April...
    You should get back to writing for publication, Lee.
    Hopefully today, you can just get out of Jersey.

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  5. Hi Lee,

    I do hope that published writing does become more prevalent for you in 2014.

    Then of course, there's the alphabet challenge. Which means I might just not bother blogging during April. Still, you know me, always in the background ironically promoting the darned thing.

    I admire your confidence. I would never dream of asking folks to keep visiting my site.

    My biggest plans for 2014 is to continue to discreetly be in the background being support for others.

    Here's to 2014 and a new adventure.

    All the best, good sir.

    Gary

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  6. I set some definite goals for January. I'd gotten out of the habit and my messy 2013 was proof of that.

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  7. Hi Arlee!
    Good luck with your 2014 goals, especially your writing. My one and only goal is to finish this darn first draft I've been working on way too long. The A to Z challenge? Well, this is the first year I've been brave enough to even think about attempting it. Happy New Year to you!

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  8. I'm with you here - "prioritize the priorities." :)

    Looking forward to the A-Z Challenge! Now, if I could only come up with an idea for it….

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  9. I'm going to try and find more balance in my life, writing and personal.
    Looking forward to A to Z.

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  10. I look forward to the A to Z Blog Challenge again this year.

    Happy 2014!

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  11. Oooh! REally excited about the upcoming marketing symposium. Signed up and put a little ad on my blog. Can't wait!

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  12. I make no resolutions b/c of my high failure rate. Only thing I'd really like to see happen this year is marrying the love of my life.

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  13. A to Z.... I think it nearly killed me last April. I don't know how you organize it and participate. I am awed.

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  14. I revised my goals slightly and I try to add something new each year. Still working on what that will be. Waiting to hear back from a submission (scifi).

    Under my pages tab 'Write 2014' I've summarized basic guidelines.

    Trying to come up with an A to Z theme, this year. Working on two new wips. I find this time of year is usually productive writing time for me.

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  15. I'm trying to blog about what I want to, not what I expect to gain views, comments, and follows for. Those are all good things, but I'll never be the most famous blog ever, so I'm trying to be sincere. And I'm trying to post more often.

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  16. I'm still ruminating on things for the new year. Albeit it's interesting to see what direction every one is going in this year. Happy New Year Arlee!

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  17. I haven't made any definite resolutions, but there's a lot I want to get done this year. Definitely considering doing the A to Z challenge as well! I should probably start planning now...

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  18. Hi Arlee,
    This is really wonderful!
    Yet Another Year with lot of activities!
    OMG! The A to Z Challenge is a wonderful event, few more months to go! I am eagerly waiting for the next developments!
    Indeed I am much elated this time because of the winning of the IWSG International Award Package,
    Its indeed a boost or let me say a great push or pat from the side LOL
    Lee I would like to be a part of this great event!
    though I do not make any New Year resolution as such, since I know and Believe that Resolutions are made to break!!! LOL so I don;t want to get into a promise or a decision!
    Of course I am there for the A to Z challenge
    Keep Informed!
    Best Regards
    Philip

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  19. Let's see...
    I have a goal of getting my a-to-z posts, all of them, finished before April.

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  20. Thanks for all the wonderful comments. Sorry for not responding individually. I'm a bit frazzled after making my escape from a massive New Jersey snow storm and driving all day to end up in a cozy hotel in Princeton, WV. Another early start tomorrow morning with another day or so planned with family. Then 3 intense days of driving back to Los Angeles. Having a wonderful time. Wish you were here. We'd need a luxury tour bus.

    Lee

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  21. Hey Lee - Happy New Year! While I don't do "resolutions", I have started picking a word for the year that I try to view everything through. This year my word is "Forward". Hopefully everything I do will be moving me forward in some way or another. I have enrolled in a college class starting the end of this month which I am both excited and terrified about. I just sent off a query for my middle grade fiction book to an agent house and I'm getting ready for a trip to Mexico with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. I replaced the battery in my laptop so it is truly a laptop again and hope that will help me use my open "moments" for writing and keeping up with bloggers like you. Starting the year off with a bang!

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  22. No resolutions no plans. But I am continuing my quest to simplify my life. I tend to get sidetracked and have to recommit.

    I am working on what I will do for A to Z. Not sure what my "theme" will be but I am sure I will participate...Lord willing and if the creek don't rise.

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  23. Happy New Year Lee - have a very blessed year ahead. I don't do resolutions .. but am working towards my goals .. and yes A-Z is mentally in place ...

    Great job you do for the A-Z managing us all .. and I hope to be a team member again - perhaps for Tina?

    All the best for the year ahead .. cheers Hilary

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  24. Glad you made it out of that nasty snowstorm.
    I too am prioritizing my priorities--so much I'd like to accomplish in 2014, especially with my blog. Still have to keep that day job. Life is full. That's a good thing.

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  25. Happy New Year, Lee! Postcard is neat :) Resolutions? Like you, more writing, besides the blog. Still pondering the A-Z.

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  26. No plans for blog posts on the A-Z yet. Just thinking. Hope your new year provides you with joy.

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  27. Happy New Year, Arlee. You've got your hands full and I'm sure you'll manage beautifully.
    I've got a busy 2014 lined up too - but never too busy to pitch in for the A-Z challenge! Let me know if there's any way I can help.

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  28. Again thanks for your comments. I'm stopping over for a day in East Tennessee, but will get another early start tomorrow for some intense driving.

    Lee

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  29. Hi, Arlee. I've set no resolutions for this year. I've currently set no specific goals other than to get everything in my life organized. Once I do that, I think everything else will fall into place. My word for 2014 is organized. I am planning on continuing to work on improving my health and losing weight, but that is an ongoing thing. Happy 2014!

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  30. Happy New Year Lee! I posted a comment through my smartphone, but it never made it. What type of publication writing are you going for? Good luck with it. I'm changing it up and working on three things to change. Stay cool when others get hot, focus on connections, and less talk and more action. I signed up for your online marketing event. So just write the post and put it up on the 20th? Should be interesting!

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Lee