As I look towards a new year, I recently reflected on my 2017 goals to see if I had met them. For the most part I had, so I look towards creating a new 2018 list for myself, for as author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wisely said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

1) Search out new career opportunities. I recently graduated with a Masters Degree in Library Science (MLIS) and I spent 2.5 years working towards furthering my education so that I could be an asset to any public library. I need to voice my ambition and work diligently towards obtaining a leadership position.

2) Write more! Now that my endless homework is done, I will have more time to devote to it. In conjunction with that goal, I welcome writing guest posts. I already have a The Last Jedi piece in the works for Jeffrey at The Imperial Talker, an environmental piece for Michael’s American Resistance at My Comic Relief and YA book reviews for the 2018 Tournament of Books through the Young Adult Services Forum group I belong to planned.

3) Hike more! To be honest I’m not one to hit the gym. But I really like hiking and will happily spend hours walking in the woods. It’s great exercise and wonderful for my soul.

4) Take more nature photographs for my Instagram account nancyandnature. I am planning to purchase myself a better camera soon, and hope that I can spend more time outdoors (see above goal) capturing good shots. I had nine pictures selected to be featured on photography sites Only in Illinois, Midwest Snaps and Illinois Shots in 2017 and I aim to have more selected this year. I have included one of my favorite pictures I took this year.

5) Organize my drawers, closets and basement in my home. I bet my co-workers would appreciate me working on my desk too. But I’m creative, and have lots of art projects and the corresponding supplies in mid-completion.Luckily I have a steady stream of teen volunteers at the library to assist me and the other librarians with various projects.

Some of these goals are repeats or very similar to last years, but they are ongoing and one year is not enough to complete them (if ever). Wish me luck on my goals and planning, so in one year they have been achieved instead of being wishes that never came to fruition.

-Nancy

 

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