Okay, I am going to lay it out in the open.

There are several mistakes I made this year, some that caused me a lot of stress, others I am too ashamed to admit.

But I am going to list them here, and openly admit that I am likely to make them again.

I will also give my reasons, and you are welcome to judge me.

I set too many goals for the year.

As the end of 2022 is drawing near, and I was reading my Author Business Plan to see how I fared against it, I realized how ambitious I was while setting goals for the year.

Have a look:

Image by the author

Back in January, I was of the mindset that I would write a book a month, so I had listed 13 non-fiction books that I was going to write. That is more than the number of months in the year!

As if that wasn’t enough, I had jotted in 3 fiction books for a good measure.

But wait, there is more.

I was to create 3 courses, write 100 Medium articles, 52 issues of the newsletter, and 300+ social media posts (mainly LinkedIn).

BIG MISTAKE.

But it is a mistake I am likely to make again in 2023.

Although I didn’t meet many of my goals (only wrote 5 books, one fiction, and 4 non-fiction and only created 1 course), I strived hard to meet them.

I wrote over 300 social media posts, and I am on target to write 100 Medium articles and 52 newsletter issues.

In fact, I surpassed certain goals (wrote 16 extra issues of the newsletter for paid subscribers) and created a bigger and better course ‘Write Your Book In 30 Days,’ and ran 3 iterations of that.

Now, towards the end of the year, I am tired and keep reminding myself not to set so many goals next year. But it is highly likely, after a few days’ rest in the lead up to the New Year, I will start itching to set goals, and I know they won’t be limited.

I like to challenge myself. I know even if I don’t meet all of my goals; I do meet quite a few of them and I am a better person (and a better writer) because of those goals.

So, don’t believe me if I say I am going to have a relaxed year next year.

Set tight deadlines.

I was crazy about setting deadlines.

I would give myself just a month to write a book. Out of that, many days would be consumed in fighting fires and all I would be left with was a couple of weeks at the most. Still, I would keep telling myself that I could do it.

A sane person would give themselves more time, but not me. I am a very tough boss.

BIG MISTAKE.

A mistake I will make again next year, I am afraid.

I have my reasons for that. As my skills are improving and I have put many systems in place, I think I am getting better at meeting deadlines.

Besides, there will always be fires. Life is one big inferno and we shouldn’t spend all our energy to keep putting fires off. Let them burn on the side and we keep doing whatever we think we should do.

Worked on multiple projects at a time.

Alright, I admit, I am a multipotentialite — a person with multiple passions.

I get excited with new ideas and I start working on them straight away. That’s why I end up working on several things at a time. A big drawback of this obsession is, I am not able to give my 100% to each project and many times head straight towards burnout.

BIG MISTAKE.

Working on one project at a time makes you less stressed and has better outcomes. Would you do it, woman?

I am afraid I won’t.

Reason? Whenever I get a new idea, there is an energy associated with it. I want to cash in on that energy. It leads to me getting in the flow state and finishing that project in half the time. Yes, the scheduled project suffers, and sometimes doesn’t get finished at all. But I accept that and take the blame for it. But I do not want to keep working on a project just because I have scheduled it for that time.

I love acting on whims. Spontaneity is a big driver in my creative life.

Didn’t write a detailed diary during the holidays.

There was so much material that I could have written an article every day. Instead, I chose to relax and enjoy the day. Sometimes I would just read, other times I would catch up on my sleep.

I did share some travel stories through LinkedIn posts and my newsletter, but that was all.

BIG MISTAKE.

I missed out on the opportunity to write about the unique and profound experiences I was having.

Would I repeat the mistake and write an extensive journal in future travels?

Probably not.

There are several reasons for that. First, there is hardly any free time during travel. Whenever there is, I am so tired and I prefer to sleep rather than fight the fatigue and write.

Second, memories form after the travel is over. During travels, things feel mundane and trivial. Allow a few months to pass and memories start popping up and stories start forming. That’s the time to write a travel memoir.

So, please forgive me if I do not write detailed travel articles while traveling.

Ignored my health

Okay, I admit, year after year, I am making the same mistakes.

Choosing to sit in front of the computer rather than going for a walk (even when the weather is good, like right now).

Choosing to eat unhealthy food rather than the healthy options which are readily available.

But unhealthy choices are much more inviting and taste much better. I keep opting for sugary treats, cakes, bread, and carbs in any form.

BIG MISTAKE.

I am old enough (and wise enough) to know that I should eat better to escape the dreadful consequences of unhealthy eating.

Would I change my unhealthy habits?

Unlikely.

Doesn’t matter how hard I try, I get better for a few days and then revert to old habits.

My excuse — life is for enjoyment. In a few years’ time, I won’t be able to eat much. Why not enjoy the better-tasting food while I can?

(Okay, okay. I get it. I am working on this one and promise to be a bit better next year.)

Alright, these were my frank admission of the mistakes I made this year and will perhaps continue to make.

It is your turn now.

What mistakes did you make this year and think you will continue to make next year too?

Share them in the comment section. Don’t be shy. We are all friends here!

To make you feel better about making mistakes, I will leave you with a quote from Neil Gaiman:

I hope that in this year to come; you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, and changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.

So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever.