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It would be an understatement to say I like accomplishments. As a checker-offer of list items and doer of the things, getting shit done is something that brings me joy. And, while whether or not this is a completely healthy state is likely a topic of a separate discussion, for now though I’m choosing to see the positive side.
This outlook comes in pretty handy as I reflect on the past year, which, for one that kicked off with me at home with food poisoning and asleep well before the ball dropped, turned out pretty well. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s been one of my best yet. As a testament to this, during a recent conversation with my manager, he brought up numerous times how good 2015 was. At first I argued a bit, but as I began looking at the list of accomplishments in front of me, I couldn’t help but agree. He was absolutely right — and, in addition to work successes, I’m grateful to be able to add a number of personal achievements to this list.
relationships + connections: many, many new friendships | sent 52 handwritten notes | growth in existing friendships | lots of dinners + drinks + classes with friends | family weekend getaway | hosted many houseguests + one furry friend | family reunion | weddings | baby shower | Thanksgiving with extended family | visit with Washington family | Christmas with SoDak family
travels + adventures: Savannah | southern Black Hills | Boston | multiple mountain getaways | Iceland | Paris | Indianapolis | Spearfish | Panama | NYC | Portland | Seattle | Las Vegas
self care + wellness: spa days + pampering | bi-annual health check + physical | Project Prioritize ME | tracking on My Fitness Pal + fitbit | completed 3-day clean | joined new gym | therapy | WW | completed another Whole30 | skin club | budget | won dietbet competition | adult coloring books | joined CSA
career: extremely successful launch of new intranet | completed first team strategic plan | individual development plan | attended multiple workshops + conferences | successfully led company-wide software upgrade project | launched digital communication stations at all sites | significant growth as a leader + manager | 360-review | career counseling | team-building sessions | invited to speak at G&T communicators meeting | won best website award for intranet launch | celebrated eight years at TSGT | invited to present at four intranet + employee comms conferences | promotion | enjoyed very productivity + growth with team | recognized as industry expert + presented at conferences
stuff that makes me happy: journaling | reading | piano | movies + multiple solo theater dates | composting | Neil deGrasse Tyson | blog posts: 61 posts + 1,600 views from 21 countries + added new categories + completed all week in reviews | live music: Jose Gonzales + Spoon + The Decemberists + tUnE-yArDs + blues festival + Colorado Symphony + Young the Giant + Elephant Revival | Annie + Fabulous Fucking Fiction Fest | celebrated long-overdue marriage equality decision | trivia | Rockies + Broncos + Nuggets | continued exploring + falling in love with my neighborhood | Denver Film Festival | Goldspot | r&r bingo | bookclub | solo Broadway date | wine club membership | word adoption
stepping out of my comfort zone + growth: classes: herbal medicine making + yoga of herbs + women’s circle + shamanic journeying + women and whiskey + master your life | podcasts | wheel of life | therapy | 52 weeks of tranquility | declutter plan + action | French lessons | Denver VOICE Big Sell event | ran sans music | discovered + fell for Brené Brown | 101 things in 1001 days | started things I’ve done list | survived many, many first dates | solo travel to two international destinations | participated in Penning in Paris retreat | completed no-buy October | created daily scorecard | extreme ATVing in the Panamanian jungle | Columbia interview | overcame fear of public speaking
milestones: Denver VOICE presidency | intranet launch + award | celebrated 35th birthday surrounded by amazing friends | consistent blogging throughout the year | launched website + solidified personal brand | promoted + new work team and responsibilities | presented at two conferences |traveled to three new countries | crossed off 48th state visited | eight years in a city I love
While I’m grateful for all of successes and high points that the year brought, of course it’s unlikely for 365 days to pass without some lows and challenges, and 2015 was no exception.
sadness + difficulties: said goodbye to one of my favorite people (grandpa) | basement flooding | difficult decision + action to resign as Denver VOICE president | made decision not to pursue Columbia degree | endured one of the toughest work week of my career
areas for growth: fell short on reading goals | not chosen as speaker for IABC conference | lack of exercise + gym time + running last half of the year | didn’t stick with WW + gained weight | Yoga for the People not good fit | was sporadic on monthly goal-setting | began but did not finish many blog posts | results of 360 review + areas to improve | buying + acquiring stuff | did not complete master your life course | Project Prioritize ME
Luckily, I’ll be working on 2016 planning tomorrow and can revisit some of the areas where I fell short and try again, if applicable. Here’s to wishing all a very happy New Year and a 2016 that brings much happiness to you and yours! Thanks for being a part of my life.
A look back on past years’ reviews + intentions:
trajectoryoflife.com 
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