Trying for Positivity

Ugh. Positivity is tough.

I won't lie. I'm disappointed with myself. Not only did I NOT reach my goal of at least 121 posts for the year 2019 (which I really thought I could do!) looking back over the year I don't see a lot of personal accomplishment. And for the sake of my own mental well-being...damn. I really wanted to accomplish something.

Okay, upon closer review of last year's posts, I suppose I did accomplish something(s) more than nothing. I finished writing a book, even though I haven't published it yet (gosh darn need for illustrations). I managed to get to DragonFlight and played in a bunch of B/X games. I managed my family pretty well, though there's always room for improvement. Hell, I even turned in more blog posts than I have since 2015 (including a month of A-Z posts in April). And I cleaned out both sides of the garage (though the side we use for "storage" needs to be de-cluttered yet again). Heck, even got the gutters cleaned for the first time in YEARS, though I had to pay someone to do it (we have a very tall house).

Oh, yeah...and I got my Patreon up and running and made some headway on building the web site for Running Beagle Games.

All right, not terrible, not even bad. I just feel like I should be doing more, especially with regard to writing. I suppose...I suppose I get a little discouraged when I look around the internet and I see so many brilliant minds penning excellent material and I feel like I could or should be contributing this way myself. Of course (with certain exceptions) the truth is that most of these brilliant minds are only posting a couple dozen times a year. And most of them are staying in their own particular sphere of expertise, not scattering their brains all over hill and yon (as I tend to do).

With this in mind, I'll take a deep breath, pound another swallow of coffee, and give it a shot at being positive.

Perhaps it would be constructive to lay out a few resolutions for the New Year. I haven't done this in a while (at least, not on Ye Old Blog) and, yes, I am fully aware that such "resolutions" tend to last all of two to three weeks before fading, but perhaps having SOMETHING to shoot for (even for a couple weeks) is better than NOTHING. Screw "disappointment" anyway...I won't disappoint myself more for failing than I will for failing to try.

Thus, LET IT BE RESOLVED that IN THE YEAR 2020 I will attempt to kick of the New Decade by accomplishing the following TWELVE GOALS (let's see if I can get one knocked out every month); the order's not terribly important:

1. Bring in extra income of at least $2K per month.
2. Knock out 180 blog posts (average of 15 per month).
3. Publish (i.e. sell for money) the new Chaos book.
4. Publish Cry Dark Future in SOME form (revised or not; illustrated or not).
5. Build a useable campaign world, even if it's a crappy one (adjust from there).
6. Start running a weekly D&D campaign.
7, Finish reading a book (one that I haven't already read, that is).
8. Get to at least one gaming con and run (at least) one game.
9. Create at least 3 "mini-adventures" for Patreon followers.
10. Get the web site up and running.
11. Collaborate with someone on a gaming project.
12. Finish the first draft of a new book.
13. Clean my office.
14. Paint a new Blood Bowl team.

Yes, yes...that's more than twelve goals; figure I'd give myself some extras "just in case" (that is, in case I finish the first 12 or in case I need easier goals to accomplish). I would also like to cut back on the alcohol, exercise more, be a better husband to my wife and father to my children, deepen my faith, and participate more in my community. We'll see how that all shakes out.

Hmm...as I look over it, that's not a bad list. I think I'll print it up so I have a reminder of my intentions (plus it's easier to check off boxes, if and when things get accomplished). Soon. Right now, I've got to make a fresh pot of coffee for my (soon to be awakening) in-laws.

Later, folks. Happy New Year to all!