Put your 2011 Goals OUT THERE! (giveaway!)

According to my stats, over 6,000 of you follow my blog each day on average. However I only hear from a few of you (hugs) in my comments. So, here's your chance!
     It's said that when you put something out into the Universe, it makes it more real. Hence, putting your goals out into the Universe, makes them more possible. So put your goals out HERE!
     Leave a comment, sharing your goals for 2011!
     If 25 of you (no repeat visitors) comment by January 7th, I'll do a drawing for a book of your choice (one of my books). If 50 of you comment, I'll do two - and up in increments of 25. I may be reaching here - but one of my goals for 2011 is to receive more comments on my blog!

My other goals for 2011:
     Sell my work-in-progress novel (almost done!).
     Sell at least two picture book manuscripts (one of which my agent is
        sending out as soon as the publishing houses reopen).
     Illustrate at least one picture book.
     Take better care of myself physically and creatively.

What are YOUR goals for 2011?

Update! We hit 25 comments on my post "Put your 2011 Goals OUT THERE!" So I'll be doing a drawing for at least ONE book giveaway. If we can get up to 50 comments by January 7th, I'll give away TWO books. If you sign anonymously, please put your name and email (or some way to get in touch with you) in your message. Otherwise, how will I contact you if you win? Gads, that would be terrible if I couldn't reach you...

DING! DING! DING! We've got over 50 comments so I will be doing a drawing for TWO of my books. Although you still have until tomorrow (the 7th) to share your 2011 goals and be entered in the drawing!!!

57 comments:

Michelle said...

I just posted my 2011 writing goals over at the Through the Tollbooth blog, but I will add another here: To let myself be happier in 2011, and stop getting in my own way so much. :)
Oh and one more: a full draft of Trelian Book 3!
Happy New Year, e! Hope to see you sometime soon. xo
m

Rhonda Miller said...

What great goals. For me, I'm going to try and take better care of myself. I'm also going to focus on sending out the cards I make and not just store them all.

Lillian Child said...

I have a 3 year old grandson and would LOVE to win one of your books to share with him. My goals for 2011 are to practice "living in the moment" and spending more time with family and friends.

Vicky Alvear Shecter said...

2011 writing goals: 1) Do not implode when book comes out.
2) finish novel WIP
3) Update picture book and MG to try to resell
4) Repate number 1

Melanie Holzwarth said...

I can relate you you wanting to get more comments, I love it when people comment on my blog too. I'm a crafter/cardmaker so one of my goals for 2011 is to get published in an appropriate magazine or publication.

Melanie
Scrappily Ever After Blog

McDonnellDoodles said...

Great idea, e! My goals are to complete the two book dummies I've got in progress and to sell the one that's currently making the rounds. I'd also like to volunteer more. Happy New Year!

Crafting Queen said...

Great idea. Good luck with your goals for 2011. Mine is to keep trying and not to give up. Easy to say but so hard to do. Happy New Year.

Tobi-Dawne said...

Thanks for the chance to win. :)

My goal for this year, and it may seem simple to some, is to accept that I am good enough... just as I am, with no exaggerations. I don't need to live up to anyone's expectations. I just need to be who I am, and live in love. Nothing else really matters. 2011 is about learning that I don't need to measure up.

Jan Scholl said...

I have several things I am gonna do.
1-work on my book (non fiction ) and get permission from peeps to use real names.
2.fix the data base and use hot links so hubby can feel safe if I die and he needs to do the bills.
3.cook more. as I make the gradual transiton from vegetarian to vegan. Hubby won't know the diff since he is only allowed to eat veggie in the house. He can get cheese at the diner
4. get rid of the sat dish, the home phone and upgrade internet.
5. remove the dead negative people from my life. already in progress.
6. insteadof giving gifts to people who can't even say thanks, put that cash into a 529 for gran daughter and let her know education is a must if she wants to get ahead no matter what she chooses to do with her life.
7. make more samples for my blog in the appropriate holiday/season. Working on last easter/spring is not flying anymore.
8. Clean up, sort the art room and get rid of anything I havene't used in a year. Donate to family shelter all art supplies no longer needed.

Loni Edwards said...

This is a great idea Elizabeth! My resolutions will be posted on my blog. As far as goals for my art biz though I have 3 big ones:

1. Finish my coloring book and put it up for sale on my site.
2. Make my website more kid friendly
3. Do 2-3 mailings to my key publishers.

If I accomplish those three will doing college full time, I will be very happy :)
Best wishes to you for a wonderful 2011! Loni

Vicky Jean-Louis said...

My New Year resolutions:

PERSONAL
Be healthy:
-Lose 36 pounds by October 1st (1 pound a week)
-Eat healthier and locally (cook meals, buy at farmer’s market or at Eastern Ontario Co-Op, stop buying prepared food or restaurant meals)
-Workout 30 minutes a day (force myself to go outside either at lunch or with my dog)
-Meditate 30 minutes a day (Make myself stop for at least 20 minutes a day, make it a pleasure activity, happy thoughts only)

BUSINESS
Become profitable:
Draw everyday (create a drawing suitcase and bring it with me everywhere)
Blog everyday (post either drawings that I made or anything else)
Sell more (create a business plan, marketing plan, action plan, find clients)

FINANCIAL
Be free:
Pay debts (budget)
Save money (budget)
Write down all things I need, and I want (make it fit in the budget)

Hope that my resolutions won't empower your blog!! he!he!

And the best of luck for your resolutions!!

CL said...

Hi Elizabeth, I just listed my goals on my blog, but some of them are: sign with an agent, get one of my picture books published and have a fabulous year.
Happy New Year to you!

Tertia said...

My goals for this year are very closely limked to my word for 2011 - BETTER.
I want to be better at blogging regularly, better at commenting on the blogs I read every day, a better parent and grandparent, actually just a better person.
Then I would like to see some of my work published and I would LOVE to be on a design team or two.
OK this is sounding al me,me, me, so I am going to stop now. :)

Ardilla said...

I have many expectations... I'll share a few here :)
- To know better God and expend more time at this.
- Have better times with my family.
- To diet and exercice, I need to lose about 20 kilos (44 pounds).
- To get better in cardmaking and sale my cards.
I have more, but I think those are the most important ones:)
Thanks for the chance, I would love to win one book for my daughter!!!

Carla said...

My list is sooo long it has its own page on my blog...
http://carlaspicturebookadventure.blogspot.com/p/goals.html

grandmalee said...

My biggest goal is to remember to take pictures of ALL of my cards...especially the ones that I use your images on!!!! Thanks again for being so generous with your awesome images!!!! Your books are always a hit in my family! I also want to be a better blogger. I love to lurk, but I don't always comment as much as I'd like. I also need to post more often.

Karen Morss said...

To write the screenplay for Flying Poodles TV special ala Charlie Brown series.

Glenda Rogers said...

ell my YA novel and start on a sequel. Get my scuba certification. Learn how to use my pottery kiln. Be purposeful in how I live my life, filling it with meaning. And finally stay in remission from cancer, eating my cruciferous vegetables and taking care of myself.

Gail said...

Goals:
Fianlly get an agent!
Write another picture book
Begin a new MG novel
Hopefully get a contract on my NF picture book
Continue to find purpose in my life
Eat healthier and do more exercise
Be happy

Anonymous said...

I want to stop using my credit cards, get paid for an essay I submitted in July 2010, and draft my book on the organization of information and the problem of disappearing evidence.

Lee Furey
blogspot hates me, sorry

Janice D Green said...

To have one Bible story book published and on Christian bookstore shelves before the end of the year. To have at least two more written and illustrated - at least in the draft stages. To submit more PB manuscripts. To find ways to get better organized in my office.

Shellie Braeuner said...

My goals for the year are:
Settle the whole agent thing,
Drop two sizes,
Be more regular about the gym (Hmm, those two might be related!)
Sell one novel,
Finish Wild Boyz,
Earn a comfortable living with 80% of my income coming from my writing

Sarah Campbell said...

One goal is to post my goals on my blog. Working on that one today. My writing goals: 1) Sell PB manuscript. 2) Make another push at marketing PB No. 2 (at least two national conventions). 3) Write at least 50,000 words on memoir. 4) Write another NF PB illustrated with my photographs.

Deebi27 said...

I want to help my classroom to advance in their preparation for Kindergarten. While I have my daughter's iPad, I will load apps and watch my classroom advance and be more prepared for the big Kindergarten classroom than any classroom group in my past. I will also do my darkest to get Apple to give me an iPad so I may give my daughter's back to her! Happy New Year Elizabeth!

Deebi27 said...

I will do my dandiest not darkest...

SmithRiverBeadwork said...

My goal for 2011 is to work on my craft every day. I tend to work in spurts, so I feel like if I commit to at least 15 minutes per day, it will usually end up being more than 15 minutes.

Elizabeth O Dulemba said...

Wahoo! We've hit 25 comments, so I will be giving away at least one book! Now let's see if we can hit 50 - still by the 7th. :)

Unknown said...

You definitely inspire me and push me towards my goal of getting more things accomplished in a shorter amount of time and not stress over the small stuff. I find it amazing how you can get so much done!

Susie said...

My goals are to be more FIT, have more FUN and be with FAMILY more. ;)
Susie
susies@twcny.rr.com

Anonymous said...

I want to be better organized.

To organize my craft room, so I can find what I am looking for.

To spend more time with friends.

Lora

Joan V said...

My goals for 2011 is to be a better person, each day. That starts with being honest with myself. I need to take my vitamins and medication every day. I need to eat right and exercise, no excuses accepted. I need to sing more, even if I am off key. Read a book by an author that I normally would not choose. One of my crafting goals is to have my Christmas cards all made by July and addressed by Thanksgiving so that they go out on time.

Susan Spain said...

1) decrease significantly (or totally eliminate, if possible) "time-sucks" in my life
2) grow the things that make me feel wonderful: storytelling, healthful eating, exercise
3) let passion guide my choices

LadyD Piano said...

See the beauty in each day of 2011!

Anonymous said...

One of my goals for this year is to journal every day. 365 days! Just to write something every single day, to have on a piece of paper (I am not counting my electronic writings.. for me the paper connection is needed)that proves that I lived here on this wonderful planet on this day in time...the day that is called today.
My goal is to write a sentence (at least) that reflects my gratitude for life, and that reflects what I have learned about myself and/or my world that has to do with the "one little word" that I chose,(maybe it chose me?) for this year.
One of my other goals is to be more diligent about thanking the wonderful creative people who add so much to my daily life.. you being one of them..by sharing art and thoughts and world views that inspire me.. some I agree with, some not so much, but either they cause me to think, or I move on!
So... I have been coming back to you for over a year now, have never been disappointed in inspiration, and truly want to thank you! Linda

Donny Bailey Seagraves said...

My goals for 2011 include finishing a new novel, working toward having a paperless office and not sacrificing a whole forest as I write a book, purging the rest of the book stock from my online book business that no longer has value, becoming healthier and more physically fit, finding more opportunities for book promotion, appreciating those around me more -- I could go on, but I think that's enough.

NikkiM said...

All these goals are so inspiring, but I too have a word to fuel my year "purpose". I intend to live and work with purpose and integrity this year, lots of changes are coming my way but the light at the end of this tunnel us full of joy and light and love and peace so I'm sticking it out purposefully ( and with blinders at some points) this year.


My little 2 yr old Lula The Witch Doctor would love your books "Elizabeth O Dulemba mumble mumble RhodeSoft" as she says lol

apple blossom said...

like all female #1 is lose some weight.

#2 spend less time on the computer

ABreading4ufn [at] gmail [dot] com

Nancy S. Miller Illustration said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nancy S. Miller Illustration said...

Your goals are admirable. I'm sure you'll accomplish them. I'd like to spend 2011 making my illustration work more of a focus. Consistent marketing over the year. I'm hoping I'll get so used to I won't think twice about it.

Peggy Shaw said...

One of my goals for 2011 is to read Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer daily from the Book of Common Prayer. I read somewhere that if you don't "fill your tank up" at the start of the day, you're running on fumes by afternoon.

Kris said...

I'm so impressed by everyone's goals. Mine are to be more kind to myself -- look after myself more and to enjoy life more. We always tend to look out for everyone but ourselves, but perhaps it is time. I wish everyone the best to reach their goals. And thanks so much for your blog and your wonderful work. K

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I am committed to using my treadmill three times a week. I am committed to making "A"s in my Library School (Master's degree) classes. I am committed to blogging daily (see www.librarianbecoming.blogspot.com). I am committed to reading with my children every day. Those are the basics... :-)

Leanne Franson said...

Hmmm, goals: to learn Painter 11 and be able to do more work more efficiently with digital aid... to eat more fruits and vegetables... to do more interesting projects with my quickly growing young son... to take a look at my life and see what I can drop or compress to find more quality time... to be kinder to myself, and also to others, especially my son. To work more on a personal style (vs artwork that clients demand of me, where I feel I just churn out repeats of expected style)...

... and to lounge in the bath more often... try for once a week?

how's that?

Great idea, a book giveaway for comments...

And best of luck with all your goals, Elizabeth. You are already an inspiration.

Country Mom said...

I just wanna have fun! I would like to finish some of my UFO's before I start new ones.LOL I would like to spend more time with family and friends.

Jenine said...

First of all I want to say that I LOVE your drawings. I like to use them as hand embroidery patterns.
My 2011 goals are to finish a LOT of UFO's both in embroidery and quilting.
I also want to make my daughter's wedding quilt.(She got married last April.)
I also want to loose enough weight that I have to buy a new wardrobe.
I also want to make a quilt that is all hand embroidered squares of different pictures that all have to do with reading. (I don't think I'll get this done in 2011 though).

Jenine

Anonymous said...

I will work on my outlook in life, to see the good in things. Think positive, be positive. Spend more quality time with my family.
- Mrs. J. Chac

Lagene said...

My goal is to eat healthier and to start walking regularly. Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

I love your drawings and so does my grandson, and we often color together. I plan on making cards this year and am sure I will gwt somw ideas drom you. Keep the pictures coming!

Deebi27 said...

How many goals could I set?!?!? Tonight I started a Zumba dance program...heather me in 2011. It was a blast even though I felt like I had 2 left feet. If I can get to good hours of exercise...,wow: 1 I would feel better, I would have better health, a kick back from my health insurance...seems like a real winning combo! Thanks Elizabeth!

Jane H said...

I love your blog so no problem commenting....my goal is to get more of your images made into cards they are so adorable!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

love your move to making stamps! Congrats.
My biggest goal is to lose 30-40 more pounds this year (I lost 48 in 2010) and get healthier.

Kristin Tubb said...

Hi, e! What a great idea! And YAY comments! :) My biggest two work goals are to finish The 13th Sign and to update and book school visits - I LOVE school visits! Also, I followed Irene Latham's lead this year and chose one word as my guidepost for the year: "present." I blogged about The Word of the Year at www.kristintubb.blogspot.com, if you're interested! :)

I love New Year's Resolutions! Happy Writing and Illustrating, all!

Cheers,
Kristin Tubb

mark said...

Work harder, smarter & have more fun. Do more personal work & try to work with at least two new publishers.

Elizabeth O Dulemba said...

You guys ROCK! Thank you for sharing your goals for 2011. They ranged from the normal 'lose weight' to taking care of our spirits as well. I'm inspired and humbled by all of you, your kind wishes, and your bravery. It would seem we share more in common than we lack, so maybe as we hope for good carma for ourselves, we'll invite an extra amount to everybody here as well.
Happily, we have over 50 commenters, so I will joyfully draw two winning names tomorrow!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! You guys KEEP ME GOING!

Beth said...

My goal is to pick a goal each month. This month I'm starting a couch-to-5K program. Maybe next month I'll play the piano or something.

carrie said...

My goal for 2011 is to write and post at least one video book trailer on my blog...but hopefully lots more. First goal for January, learn how to use the video software.