This past year showed me that I can do things I never thought possible. With some perseverance and a whole lot of support I managed to complete several goals and also some things that popped up throughout the year.
When I went through my calendar (I use the Passion Planner*) to make this list it became a bit overwhelming. Did I really do all of these things? Yes, yes I did! Now, there are some goals that I didn’t meet, for a variety of reasons. But those will carry over into 2025. They really are just ongoing goals.
2024
Items in bold were goals I had set for the year
Morning pages, journaling
Daily Tarot reading with an Oracle card for good measure
Produced and completed my half hour comedy television spec pilot - Almost Boston
Beach trips whenever we have a few free days
Writing regularly on substack
Work with five other writers in a writer’s room situation to complete a six episode series screenplay
Hosted a VIP screening of Almost Boston for those who contributed significantly to making it happen
Premiered Almost Boston to a sold out audience at The Judy (170 people)
Film Festival Submissions
Began teaching yoga and substituting for cycle and silver sneakers classes at a local gym
Volunteered to become one of the two local coordinators for the International Screenwriters Association Portland Chapter Third Thursdays
Work with the nonprofit POV Filmmakers to help local independent filmmakers connect and collaborate to get films made. Scheduled events and mixers
Took a studio production class and began thinking about producing a show
Interviewed by a local journalist
Directed and filmed two short films that are currently in post production
Directed a film trailer and slated to direct the film next year
Three writing retreats on the train from Portland to Seattle and back
Acting - a cameo in Almost Boston, a lead in a punk rock music video for The Shitfits, and I’m cast in a short film set for January filming
Began voice over training
Annual wine tasting trip to Walla Walla, Washington
Austin Film Festival
Walking an average of 5.7 miles a day over the entire year
Invited to be a reader for two local screenplay contests
A paid screenwriting gig
Officiated a few weddings
Almost Boston won Best Comedy Series Episode at the Oregon Short Film Festival
Almost Boston won Best Comedy Series Episode and was chosen as a finalist for Best Oregon Film at the Portland Comedy Film Festival
Monthly brunch outings with the girls from Don’t Dress For Dinner, a play that I directed two years ago
Girls’ Beach Weekend
A presentation at a local high school media class on independent filmmaking
Took Almost Boston to the American Film Festival in Las Vegas, had a few meetings, still talking with one, and I have a list of follow up contacts to make in the coming year
Read most days, or listen to an audiobook or podcast on my daily walks
Urban sketching practice
Daily list: 10 things I’m grateful for, 3 things I send love out to that are bothering me, and 5 minutes of meditation.
Goals set but not completed that will carry over into 2025
Finish a feature screenplay
Lose 20 pounds
Win a major screenwriting award, this is more of a dream but is my game changer
2025 Goals
Daily writing practice
Continue the daily habits (walking, yoga, gratitude list, reading)
Time with friends
Almost Boston - screen in Los Angeles
Almost Boston - more festival awards
Almost Boston - find a development partner or buyer
Complete three speculative feature screenplays
Draft the novel I have been planning for years
Table reads of the spec screenplays
Film the six episode series with the POV Filmmakers group
Direct two short films
Launch and grow Story Lab on substack
Launch Story Lab {Mastermind} a weekly writer’s group to support one another write, polish, and query screenplays
Continue volunteer work with ISA PDX and POV Filmmakers
Complete the studio production certification
Plan for my next film
Plan and produce a studio show
Paid screenwriting gigs
Have a voice over demo reel and book voice over gigs
Grow POV Filmmakers offerings, classes, retreats
Quarterly writing retreats on the train (I already have one booked)
Screenwriting and/or filmmaking presentations
A friend turned me on to these planners a few years ago (thanks Sarah!) and it has been the answer to all of my planning needs. I’ve tried all three of the sizes and currently am using the small size. I think I prefer the medium or large though. I’ve been trying not to carry my planner everywhere these days, and the large was too heavy for that anyway. I’ll probably go back to the large or medium when I order again. I tend to buy two of these a year, one calendar year and then midway through the year I’ll get the academic year so I can have a seamless transition into the new year.
If you are interested in ordering a Passion Planner, send me a message with your email address and I’ll send you a code for $15 off you first purchase of $50 or more. I’ll get a little reward too.