I’ve never been big on New Years resolutions. It seems like a lot of pressure on one goal – why would you do that to yourself? There are a lot of things I would like to be improving of changing for 365 days, but nothing that I’d be willing to commit to over one-too-many drinks on New Years Eve! But, I do like the idea behind setting goals and improving things about yourself, so I make goals.

Ok, they’re basically resolutions. The word “resolutions” just sounds weird to me after you’ve said it 5 times like I have in this post.

… goal 1 should probably be to get better at counting.

Anyways! Goals for 2012! Do you have goals for 2012? Are they personal, professional, or knitting related? Mine are all 3, oddly enough. Perhaps I should think about improving my ability to over commit myself to my list for 2013?

Read 52 new books.

This one is kind of a cop out, but still important. I did it last year, and in 2010, and killed it in 2009. I’m still sticking with this challenge, though. My taste in books has changed a lot, and I am spending a lot more time with audiobooks than I am with printed ones. Even though I’m constantly reading, finishing 52 new books is a challenge for me.

Stick to my publishing schedule.

Over Thanksgiving, I sat down and mapped out all of the patterns I currently have in any stage of development through June. I’m giving myself 10% room for error because, well, you can’t be perfect every time, and 90% is a pretty impressive goal. I kind of regret forcing myself to stick with the 10% wiggle room thing, because that only gives me about 4 extra days. The schedule is not set in stone, nor is it perfect. It gets tweaked when projects get fast tracked, or adjusted to accomodate new KALs, or switched around to match my sales and new trends. Regardless, I will be constantly evaluating my publishing schedule, and sticking to it to the best of my abilities.

Spend more time with other hobbies.

I love painting with watercolors. I am not very good at it, I’m quite horrid, actually. But part of that stems from my weird appreciation of, and attitude toward, art. I don’t spend enough time with my watercolors, and it makes me sad.

Visit more of my local knitting groups.

I haven’t been to many knitting events since I moved. Quite frankly, it has been a bit overwhelming going from a town with one LYS 20 minutes away, to an enormous city with tons of stores within a 30 minute public transportation ride.

Teach more classes, make more appearances, do more.

I miss teaching, speaking, trunk shows, and appearances. A lot. I had to turn down some offers during 2011, and it made me really sad. I regret not having a sample in at Vogue Knitting Live, and I am bummed that I couldn’t make it to Stitches Midwest this year. But no more NO. As long as it can fit reasonably into my schedule, I will try to make it happen.

Keep Sunday brunch alive.

This is probably my favorite tradition that Colin and I have. Every Sunday, we visit Café Selmarie in Lincoln Square and have delicious brunch. It was a tradition I shared with anywhere from 2–10 friends when I lived in California. It’s a lot different only going with Colin, but it’s a good different. A fun different.

Save money.

I did a decent job on this one during 2011, but I’d like to try harder. Part of saving money is keeping better track of my personal and professional finances, which I finally got a handle on using Outright and Mint. I am easily seduced by graphs, ok!?