Some of you may have seen the picture at the top left hand corner floating around
Facebook about using a jar to store notes for all the good things that happen
during the year and reading them on New Year’s Eve. I first saw this three years
ago and I've been doing it ever since.
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| From my Facebook Page. |
In my jar for 2015 there were things such
as:
- Connor Daniel (my nephew) born 12/15
- Got a contract for Seismic Crimes
- Moved into a house
- Bought a laptop
Another tradition I started with my mom back in 2007 is writing goals and wishes on a piece of paper and putting it in a pretty bottle...like a message in a bottle. On New Year's Eve,
I fish mine out to see what I accomplished and write a new one. The bottle sits on my bookcase year round.
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| From my Instagram |
Some of my accomplishments from 2015:
January:
- Co-hosted
Insecure Writer’s Support Group Day
- Co-hosted
Terri Rochenski’s Facebook Release Party
- My
first week co-hosting the blog Unicorn Bell
- Created
my author website
April:
- Published
Ghost of Death
- Co-co-hosted
A to Z Challenge (Tremp’s Troops)
- The
Quest for Queena Auction (donated 2 eBooks)
May:
- Published
Witch of Death
- Submitted
Seismic Crimes to publisher
August:
- Co-hosted
IWSG Day (second time)
- Sent
out first newsletter
October:
- Co-hosted
Author Bash FB party
Publishing
Goals for 2016:
- Publish
Seismic Crimes
- Submit
prequel to 30 Seconds to publisher
- Edit
Disaster Crimes Book 3 (title TBA) and submit to publisher May/June
Writing
Goals for 2016:
- Start
seriously writing my NA Zombie Apocalypse Romance
Number
Goals for 2016:
- 1,000
Twitter followers
- 600
Facebook followers
- 200
Newsletter Subscribers
I HOPE MEET YOUR GOALS IN 2016 AND HAVE A BLESSED YEAR! :)
I love the bottle idea! Very cool. And yes, I've seen the jar idea floating around FB. I totally forgot about it. Maybe I should try it now. All the best to you this year!
ReplyDeleteDoing the jar thing, as long as you remember, is a lot of fun. :)
DeleteSuch great ideas! I think i will try the bottle filled with good things that happened throughout the year. It is good to be reminded of them:) All the best to you this year!
ReplyDeleteIt's a lot of fun reading each slip at the end of the year. :)
DeleteWhat a great year you had! And I had seen the jar pic floating around but hadn't paid much attention to it. Now I feel inspired to give it a try as well. And I LOVE your message in a bottle tradition.
ReplyDeleteHappy 2016!
Happy 2016,Julie! It would be neat if so many of us do the jar thing. :)
DeleteThe jar is a great idea. We tend to forget the good stuff.
ReplyDeleteI made my list for this year and am ready to go.
I hope you meet the goals on your list, L Diane!
DeleteAll I can do is is reiterate everyone else... What a great year and awesome idea about jars & message in the bottle. Congratulations on your success. You are inspiring.
ReplyDeleteJuneta @ Writer's Gambit
Thank you, Juneta! :)
DeleteYou had a good year!
ReplyDeleteDon't let your bottle wash out to sea. Although it might encourage the person who finds it.
It was a good year, and I plan to make this one better. :D
DeleteLOL! I wouldn't mind encouraging someone else. :)
Thank you, Karen! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the bottle idea and how you decorated. It’s a great idea too. Too many times we forget all the good that happens because we’re too focused on the bad. It’s a nice way to remind you that good things did happen that year. That you did achieve your goals and made your wishes come true. Wishing you all the best for 2016!
ReplyDeleteExactly. We forget our little accomplishments or the small good things that happen and this will help us to remember.
DeleteThose are some great goals, can be fun upping numbers indeed. The bottle idea is a good one too.
ReplyDeleteUpping numbers is fun. :)
DeleteHi and Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteYou had an awesome 2015 and are starting out with an awesome 2016. All the best in whatever you undertake to do.
Shalom,
Patricia
Happy New Year, Pat!!! Thank you!
DeleteI think I need to set more realistic goals and not such general ones. Also, the goals I set, tend to fizzle out, especially my writing goals. I have got to stop letting life choke out my desires.
ReplyDeleteMuch congratulations on meeting so many goals last year.
Realistic goals are important. We have to give ourselves a break and not apply so much pressure.
DeleteI love the jar ideas, especially the writing goals. That way I can ponder them privately. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Yes. ;)
DeleteHi Crystal - your bottle full of good successes is getting lots of resonating hits - it's a fun idea too .. but so worthwhile. I must have a look later ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteIt is fun and worthwhile. I recommend it to all. :)
DeleteI love that jar idea! I started something similar a few months back around my birthday - jotting those kinds of things in a journal. Hmm, I may have to switch to a jar though - feels more tangible or something. :)
ReplyDeleteA journal is also good. It would be easier to document and to look back when you need a smile.
DeleteI hope you have an amazing year ahead of you! You definitely did a lot of great things in 2015!
ReplyDeleteThank you, LG! I hope the same for you in 2016. :D
DeleteIt sounds like you had a really productive year. Hope 2016 is the same. I am trying the jam jar idea too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deborah! I hope the jar is fun for you. :)
DeleteWhat a great way to recap & revisit all the awesome things that happen to each of us during the year. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like it, Sandra! :)
DeleteShoot! I forgot the jar thing! We have one ready to go and everything. Thanks for reminding me. The first note going in there tonight is "remembered to put first note in jar!"
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all the success in 2015. May 2016 be even better!
IWSG January
That's a funny note. You'll surely laugh when you read that one at the end of the year.
DeleteThank you!
What a fab idea I think I'm going to do this with a jar this year. It's always good to reflect on life's positives and this seems like a good way to maintain that focus during the year. Thanks for sharing it and a happy New Year to you. I hope you have lots of things to be happy about this year.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!:) Happy New Year!!!
DeleteWhat a year! You should be proud, Chrys. And what great suggestions. It’s so important we celebrate our achievements. Obviously, whoever said you can’t bottle success was wrong. :)
ReplyDeleteVR Barkowski
Thanks, VR! I am proud. :) I love that...we can bottle success now. ;)
DeleteWhat a marvelous idea! Fantastic year you had and I see another great one in the making. :) Here's to a grand 2016 for all of us.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine!
DeleteWhat fun! Fill the bottle with all the great stuff you've done during a year. I love it.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great reminder. :)
DeleteWhat a fantastic idea. And after the holidays I have plenty of jars and empty bottles to decorate and make better use of. Thank you for sharing that tradition. I'll post up mine when I've added my first note :) You have had such a wonderful 2015, Chrys. Congratulations!! I wish you an even more productive and successful 2016. May it be filled with happiness and good health.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nicola! And what a great thing do to with all of those left over jars. Decorating them all with a note on what to do with it would make great gifts.
DeleteThis is a great idea and I think I will try the one of happy things or events that happened in 2016. I may shy aware from goals because I can see myself look at them at the end and realize I didn't do many:)
ReplyDeleteThat's fine. Making note of the happy things is rewarding.
DeleteI'm doing it right now! I meant to do this on the 1st, but 5 days into the new year is okay. At least I can still remember what happened. LOL Thanks, Chrys. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteFive days in is just fine. Have fun with it, Joylene! :)
DeleteLovely way to set new goals, I start with a brand new notebook and write it all down. I love notebooks and clean empty pages - so much possibility. I keep meaning to email and keep getting distracted, plus I've been out and about - but I will get it done!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Chrys!
I love empty notebooks too...infinite possibilities. :) That's okay, Yolanda. I need to go over a few chapters then I'll be sending them off to you. I hope you have something for me to read some time. ;)
DeleteThat is goal with the bottle of goals; good to look back to at the end of the year and see what got accomplished :) Seems like you have great goals ahead for 2016!
ReplyDeleteReviewing 30 Seconds on my blog on Friday :)
betty
You'll be reviewing 30 Seconds? Thank you so much! I'm excited and nervous to see what you have to say. :)
DeleteI like the idea of the good things jar. I just forget to take any action.
ReplyDeleteYou are quite the accomplished woman! Keep it up!
Thanks, Loni! I'll do my best. :)
DeleteI like it. A jar would be too unorganized for me though. I journal. That's how I keep track of all the good happening, and then I write a family/friend newsletter once a month where I review all the good things. This has been an insanely busy year including a birth, a funeral, a wedding, my first kid in college, getting a learners permit for said kid (gulp), and our first year in a new house. Looking back on it, I wonder how we survived. Life is like that, eh?
ReplyDeleteA family/friends newsletter is a neat idea. Unfortunately none of my family members and friends would read mine. Haha
DeleteYou certainly had a crazy year.
Good ideas Chrys, wonderful to read and digest.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Thanks, Yvonne!
DeleteAw, I forgot about the memory jar! I am starting one today - before I forget again!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful year you've had! It takes an amazing amount of ambition to accomplish all you do;-)
Can't wait for your next 30 Seconds - the first one was great:-) I must say I've never seen Zombie and Romance used in the same sentence before! Indeed intriguing, my friend:-)
I had forgotten to put notes in mine during most of last year. When I remembered, I'd sit down and write a bunch. Let's just say I had doubles of things that I forgot I mentioned.
DeleteWell, the zombies aren't in love but that would be very interesting.
I did the jar last year and am doing it again this year. I really like it as it helps remind me of thing things I accomplished.
ReplyDeleteI love doing it too. :)
DeleteThat's an awesome idea... I should try that. Now if I can only find a jar.. LOL. Still putting my loft together. It may take me all year. lol.
ReplyDeleteSO glad to see so many great accomplishments, Chrys... Congrats and all the best for 2016!
Your loft is amazing. Congrats again!
DeleteLove the idea of the notes in the jar. I could see where this could be inspirational. You certainly have your goals sorted for 2016! I wish you every success!
ReplyDeleteDenise :-)
Thank you, Denise!
DeleteWhat I love about your jar and bottle ideas is that there is a focus on the positives in both the present and the future. Great ideas!
ReplyDeleteFocusing on the positives is a must.
DeleteGreat idea Chrys!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Olivia!
DeleteYep, seen the jar floating around. Very good idea.
ReplyDeleteI think so too.
DeleteWonderful accomplishments and goals. You go girl. Love the idea jar!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Donna!
DeleteHi Chrys
ReplyDeleteI don't write my goals down but they are always on my mind. One reason is that we've moved four times in four years. I tend to lose things. Good luck with your goals.
Nancy
Four times in four years? Wow.
DeleteI love that you have a special bottle for your writing goals and successes. Here's hoping 2016 is the best yet.
ReplyDeleteHugs.
Thank you, Sandra!
DeleteI like the idea of putting you goals down in a bottle that you can see all the time. I think I may try that this year. It will also help me remember what those goals were six months from now.
ReplyDeleteIt's a neat reminder seeing that bottle.
DeleteYour goals sound like good ones. Best of luck with them. I think I'll put mine in a jar like you did. They're written on paper, but it looks like more fun to use a jar or bottle. Great idea. Happy New Year. Best wishes for a successful 2016.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beverly! It is a lot of fun putting it in a jar. You can have an extra copy to double check as time goes by for a refresher.
DeleteHappy New Year! I hope 2016 is good to you. :)
I love the idea of putting good moments into a jar and reading them on New Years. Cool! You accomplished a lot in 2015, but I bet you rock it even harder in 2016.
ReplyDeleteI hope to rock it even harder this year. ;)
DeleteYou had a busy 2015! I love the idea of the moments jar. Knowing my family (we have some who think they're "funny guys") it would get filled with fart jokes.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Years and here's to a successful 2016!
Cheers!
Adrienne
Haha! Thats would sure bring a laugh on New Year's Eve though.
DeleteGreat goals you've set, Chrys for 2016!! Congrats on all your accomplishments for the past year. You're so prolific. I love the idea or writing things we're grateful for and putting them in a jar for the year. I'm going to start that tradition, too. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteProlific? I don't feel prolific. lol
DeleteYou're welcome, Lisa. I hope it's gratifying for you. :)
Awesome ways to keep goals and inspire yourself. Plus, you get the kudos from re-reading at the end of the year. Way cool. Wow, you accomplished a lot over the year.
ReplyDeleteHope this year is a good :)
Thank you, Dolorah! I hope you have a fabulous year.
DeleteWishing you all the best with achieving these new goals Chrys.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sheena! Wishing you all the best too. :)
DeleteNA zombie apocalypse romance! Sounds awesome - I just hope the zombies aren't getting it on :P I don't think I could handle that.
ReplyDeleteHaha. Nope, the zombies aren't getting it on. :p
DeleteHappy New Year! May 2016 be a fantastic year for you. I think both the jar and glass bottle are great ideas. I know I tend to forget what amazing things have happened to me. It's always easier to remember the bad things. Thank you for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteBad things stick with us. That's why it's nice to have a reminder of the good.
DeleteYou are a writer who accomplishes much, I think. Happy New Year, by the way.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
Thanks, Teresa! Happy New Year!!!
DeleteI hope you meet all your goals, Chrys! Happy 2016. Your self-motivation is an inspiration. I love the idea of keeping wishes/notes on things that happened in a bottle/jar, and the fact that your mom participated, too, is lovely. :) (Oh yes, congratulations on moving into a house. That's huge!)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Claudine! My mom and I are very close. And it's great to not be in an apartment anymore.
DeleteI also did the jar last year! (I blogged about it Monday). Congrats on so many great accomplishments and memories from last year. Also, I followed you on twitter, gooogle+, and Instagram! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a coincidence! Thank you for following me! I believe I've followed you back in all places. :)
DeleteCongrats on all your accomplishments, Chrys! Here's wishing you a very successful and happy 2016.
ReplyDeleteThank you, J.H! I wish you success and happiness for 2016. :)
DeleteGood luck with your 2016 goals, and congrats on your 2015 accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteGood luck with your 2016 goals, and congrats on your 2015 accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the bottle idea!! I might have to try that out this year! I'm one of those people that needs constant reminders of everything good that's happened or I just dwell on the bad stuff ;). Best of luck for your 2016 goals!
ReplyDeleteI need constant reminders too. Thank you, Rachel! :)
DeleteChrys, thanks for reminding me about the jar. That is such a great idea. Your accomplishments for 2015 are great. Congrats. Good luck with your goals for this year.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I posted about the jar because,a few said they forgot about it and many said they will do it this year. :) Thank yiu, Diane!
DeletePutting the good things that happen to you during the year into a jar is such a great idea, Chrys! What a great way to remember all the little blessings in your life. And I love that you read them on New Years Eve! I think I'm going to have to start doing that with my kids.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all your goals for this year! You accomplished a lot last year and I know this year will be even better for you!! :)
I'm glad you like the idea and may do it with your kids. That's great! :)
DeleteThank you! I hope you have a great 2016 too.
Congratulations on accomplishing so many of your goals. I absolutely love your message in a bottle idea. It's so inspirational. So often I think of the bad things that happened during the year. It would be really nice to sit with family and pull out and read each of those slips of paper. I'm sure you probably hadn't even thought of some of the good things that happened to you during the year, for quite some time. What a great way to remind yourself of all the wonderful and nice things that occur all year. It's too easy to dwell on the negative and this is such a fantastic way to always remember and treasure the nice things. Thanks for the idea. I hope you have another great year in 2016. Good luck with all your goals.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Melissa! I definitely forgot some of the good small things I added to the jar and smiled when I reread them. Thank you! Happy 2016!!!
DeleteI love both of those ideas, especially the good things jar.
ReplyDeleteYou had an excellent 2015 & a bright 2016 in front of you. :)
Thank you, Nicki! :)
DeleteYou got a lot of great stuff accomplished last year! I don't think I could ever be that super-organized, since I'm so used to letting things develop organically and with only a general idea of what I'm going to do.
ReplyDeleteI love to be organized. I make lists for everything I need to do. :)
DeleteI really like that jar idea! That sounds like a great way to look back on what you've achieved. Congrats on your accomplishments for 2015!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
Delete