"Do you know where your New Year Resolution is?"
That is an often asked question in the days and months that follow the new year. Statistics show that the majority of resolution-makers eventually abandon their pursuits. During the past five years, as I have studied and practiced what works and what doesn't work, I have encountered scores of passionate people who do persist day-after-day. I coined the word 'Resolutionista' for these folks and the 'resolve' they patiently display: Resolutionistas make resolutions, keep resolutions and enjoy the journey! Borrowing on my years as a working journalist, I am running an inspirational series of interviews with ordinary folks who do extraordinary things. They breathe life into their dreams, resolutions and daily goals, one small step at a time, one day at a time over the long haul. Though they may statistically be in the minority of resolution-makers (the ones who succeed), I want to highlight 'what works', and give them credit for their accomplishments!
Resolutionista (rez – o – lution – ista) Noun 1. Someone who makes resolutions, keeps resolutions and enjoys the journey.
In 2010 several Resolutionistas have agreed to take the I Resolve To . . . Challenge: 365 Resolutions For Health & Happiness. They are building their year-long game plans around their own personal dreams, resolutions, goals, and Daily Resolves. Each month, they will report on their achievements, obstacles and lessons learned – Jan Beaver Coad provides her September-October Update!
I met Jan in 2009 during my travels around Gather.Com, a Social Networking Site for the over 30 crowd, and also the home of my Gather I Resolve To . . . Group. Formerly a community college instructor and administrator, she is a delightful creative soul, multi-media artist and author. Jan has Undergraduate Degrees in Respiratory Therapy and a Masters Degree in Community Health Education. She left full-time employment to pursue an art and writing career. She and her children face many obstacles, including Asperger's Syndrome, attention deficits, learning disabilities, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Tourette's Syndrome.
Jan is the author of 'Why Don't They Come With Instructions?', a collection of personal essays about a Mother's journey raising special needs children and how it lead to the creation of a non-profit organization, The Lavender Door Foundation (the book will be available in August of 2010). Jan is currently working on a memoir about the importance of setting goals and following your dreams. She and her husband, children, cat, and dog live in the Seattle, Washington area. [Read Jan's 2009 Year End Essay.]
Kim Simpson: Please provide highlights of your priority goals (you may have one theme with several goals, or goals that vary each month, or some other combination)?
Jan Beaver Coad: I have spent September and October adjusting to living aboard a boat and having an office to work from (we rented a small office upstairs at the marina where our boat is moored). I have been busy getting my second book ready for publication and also simultaneously working on my memoir about growing up with undiagnosed Aspergers Syndrome on the autism spectrum. I have been staying on track and trying to do a least one thing for my books, non-profit, or myself, each and every day.
I have continued going to the gym one, or two days a week. I have now lost 10 pounds and am really enjoying the elliptical machine and swimming laps, or walking in the pool. I found some new pool toys to work out my arms while I am walking and I was really feeling it the next day.
I have continued working on marketing plans: arranging blog tours and book signing tour plans and speaking engagements for WHY DON'T THEY COME WITH INSTRUCTIONS, StoneGarden.Net Publishing. I was able to participate in an Autism Awareness Event at Borders Books – I walked in the day before the event was scheduled, to talk to the event planner about the possibility of a book signing and they invited me to the event. I sold some books and made great contacts for future events (and volunteered to help with the National Autism Awareness Month Event in April at Borders – so I am hoping to solidify that relationship for having my books in their stores).
I was able to spend time with my new camera (that we were able to purchase after all three of our cameras were stolen in our house burglary), so I have posted a few more photographic articles about our neighborhood here at the marina where we live.
Kim Simpson: How many days did you successfully achieve at least one small step toward your priority goal(s)?
Jan Beaver Coad: Finances have still been tight – we learned on the holiday weekend that my husband's partners were done with him. We entered the office on the weekend to finish up some engineering plans for some clients and my husband's office was packed in boxes and lining the hallway outside his office. He also was shut of of the computer.
For the next month-and-a-half, the former partners fought us and refused to buy my husband out of his shares in the company without a signed non-compete clause. It was kind of like going into court for a divorce and expecting your ex to sign a pre-nuptial agreement. Luckily our family attorney was able to explain to their attorney that there was NO signed non-compete agreement and they couldn't expect my husband not to work for two years without major compensation. So I spent most of September designing business cards, website and flyers for his new business venture (www.de-civil.com). It was necessary for me to change my focus toward what would bring money into the family. Meanwhile, I had my book appear on Amazon.Com, September 20, 2010. And in late October, the Kindle version was available.
It was necessary for me to cancel my October plans to Washington, DC and delay them until January 2011. My family needed me for support and so I had to change my focus. I continue to overcome my obstacles by taking small steps forward and trying not to allow anxiety to overwhelm me. It would have been easy to wallow in self pity, but I am determined to stay a DREAMER and a DOER. As long as I focus on the end goal, it keeps me going . . . and the entire family repeats the daily mantra, "Everything is going to be alright."
Kim Simpson: Were there lessons learned?
Jan Beaver Coad: NEVER give up on your DREAMS. I have made more contacts on Facebook and an article I wrote on Gather.Com got some and attention, as well as an offer of assistance with my non-profit organization. Why I began a non-profit organization . . . I resolve to promote and move forward. After a few emails from a fellow Gather member, I found a foundation that has similar programs to the DREAMS for my non-profit, so I had a great conversation with someone at Hattie Larlham Foundation and they gave me ideas to research and we will continue to talk and I may go visit their Foundation to gain more ideas and assistance.
Kim Simpson: What is on tap for September?
Jan Beaver Coad: A number of things:
- My book is off to my editor and she will be working with it soon.
- I am working on my memoir and will send it to my editor soon.
- I am considering having a blog tour organized by WOW Women on Writing, so I will continue conversations with them.
- I am making plans for my December trip to Bay Area, California for signings and speaking engagements.
- I am making plans for my January trip to the Washington, DC/Virginia area for book signings and speaking engagements.
- And FINALLY, I am going to try to plan a quiet night, or two, away from the family ALL BY MYSELF (to de-stress and re-power – I usually get a quarterly trip and it has been seven months since family needs and finances have prevented a trip).
I am happy to report in the month-and-a-half my book has been out, I have sold a few (September four copies, and October 10 copies – through my publisher. And I have sold 20 from the stock I purchased. So if I can keep doubling each month through the publisher, I will be a happy girl. If anyone would like an autographed book from me, I have a few hundred on hand in my office and will autograph them to anyone. They retail for $8.95, plus shipping. [Jan, Congratulations! I loved the draft that I read and am looking forward to receiving my signed copy – I am happy to post a review on Amazon.com. Enjoy your success!]
Remember: I Resolve To . . . Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year. It's your choice. Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality in five simple, common sense steps: Dare To Dream, Decide, Define, Develop A Plan, and Do It Daily. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good! Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who makes resolutions, keeps resolutions, and enjoys the journey! Let's Go For It!
Need More Inspiration? Wear Your Resolution By Visiting The I Resolve To . . . Shop At CafePress: IResolve To . . . Resolutionista Gear And By Joining The Official I Resolve To . . . Group At Gather.Com. Get going on your 2010 New Year Resolutions with the I Resolve To . . . Worksheet & Promise. View my 2009-2010 Health & Happiness Tapestry by clicking through Daily Resolve Photo-Resolutions.
Kim M. Simpson – November 8, 2010
Copyright © I Resolve To® . . . * All Rights Reserved.
Leave a Reply