This is my “2013 To Do” list. It is inspired by my friend and fellow blogger Chris Walker-Bush from Aussie on the Road, who has a habit of writing piles of lists of things he likes and things he plans to do. Some work out, some don’t. What Chris has shown me is that situations change, and sometimes the goals you set for yourself are (at that time) unachievable. If nothing else, writing a list ouch as this makes you think about what you really want to do and achieve. Here are my 10 things for this year – all of which are important, so they aren’t ordered.
1. Travel to 5 different places.
It’s a depressing thought, but I only went to two places where I stayed the night away from home last year. One was to Gosford for my Grandmother’s 80th birthday and a family get-together, and the other was to Brisbane to meet some old friends to buy some cameras. WHAT THE HELL?
I’m not proud of this fact, trust me. Part of it was work (see No.7 for more input into that), and part of it was lack of money (due to work and the nasty habit that No.2 will address). Because of this shocking fact I am going to travel to 5 different locations around Australia this year. I have the holiday leave. I will have the money. Bring it on.
2. STOP BUYING CAMERAS!
This sounds easier than it really is (well, for me anyway). It’s not uncommon for me to spend a substantial amount of my pay on cameras that I use once or twice, and then sit in my cupboard. I would complain about not having money and then go and buy more bloody cameras, continuing this stupid cycle.
Not anymore though.
I need a project to make sure I don’t buy cameras – and I have the right one in mind. It should be fun, if slightly scary considering what I decide to use. Keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming post about it.
3. Write more.
I really don’t write anywhere near as much as I should. For me, writing is a way for me to gather my thoughts and put them in a somewhat linear progression. 2013 will see the publishing of my first book – a grown up children’s book that has illustrations by my housemate (and pretty awesome artistic individual) Robyn Sewell. I also aim to continue writing on this blog, as well as working on a few side projects that may or may not see the light of day.
4. Walk more.
No, this isn’t because I want to get healthy. I simply want to see places that most people don’t because they’re too busy driving everywhere. Of course my camera will be in tow.
5. Get my photos in an exhibition.
This is something I’ve been wanting to do for about two years now, and it’s going to happen in 2013! I don’t care if it’s just one photo or a whole pile, but by this years end I will have had one of my photos exhibited somewhere. I hope.
6. Stop saying ‘Yes’ so often.
I am continually saying yes to people, and fixing the issues of others. This year, I’m going to say ‘No’ more often.
7. Don’t worry about work.
Why didn’t I go anywhere last year is partly due to not having much money (from purchasing way too many cameras, and having a rather costly scholarship debt to pay), and also because of work. My job is intense, and requires the investment of a lot of time for a return of very little monetary gain. I had spent the last three years punching above my weight, trying to show those above me that I was capable and ready to move up, only to be informed that there were never plans for such a thing. I was not happy.
2013 brings a new way of approaching work – I’m not going to worry. There’s no need to invest extra time and effort when I get the same pay per fortnight just doing what my position statement tells me. I work to live, not live to work.
8. Be selfish, but within reason.
I remember reading this somewhere last year, and something inside me clicked. Why do I need to worry about everybody else out there if all they are doing is taking advantage? So this year I’m going to be just a little bit selfish, and not as selfless as I have been in the past.
9. Start a project, and stick with it.
I should actually say ‘projects’ because there are a few already in motion. Regardless of what happens with these projects, they should all be fun.
10. Figure out my direction & go for it.
Oh yeah, there’s this one. Well, I’m inclined to put in a few thinking sessions to this and ponder my very own future this year. Hopefully by 2014 I should have half a clue as to what I want to do.
