How NOT to make new year resolutions

There are a few basic rules to making resolutions at the start of the new year. This isn't ground breaking stuff, I know, but I need to remind myself.

1. Don't keep them to yourself, as no-one will keep you accountable unless they know what you want to achieve.
DO make your aims public.

2. Don't make resolutions that rely on other people making things happen (eg. my publisher of choice will request a full within the next 3 months. Yeah right.)
DO list things you can do yourself.

3.  Don't be too general. "Write more" might be an achievable goal, but it's also very broad.
DO make your goals specific.

4. Don't aim low. I have a sign at my bedroom door that says "Aim for the moon. Even if you fail, you fall among the stars."
DO push yourself with your new year's resolutions.

Susan Meier has done a really wonderful series of blog posts on goal setting which you can read here.  She points out four more important elements for effective goal setting: they should be "1) clear, 2) specific, 3) measurable, and 4) time bound."

So in that spirit, here are my resolutions for 2012. It's quite a list this year!

• Complete both my current WIPs by 1st March (thanks lovely Twitter friends for giving me a date and a swift kick in the derriere)
• Submit a partial of When September Ends to at least 4 of my A-list agents before the end of April.
• Write at least one full category-length manuscript aimed at RIVA between March and December.
• Write The Orchard, my next novella-length 1920s story, between March and December.
• Keep up with my blog(s) all year!
• Get my new German passport sorted before April
• Promote the pants off Dear Julia when it releases in June
• Attend the RNA conference in Penrith in July
• My friend Mandy and I are planning to start teaching courses together. I'd like to get the first underway no later than March.
• Go to the gym at least twice a month this year. Every month. 
• And finally, I have a few friends I've neglected terribly this last year. In 2012 I'm going to make a conscious effort to stay more in touch.

It's do-able, and if I achieve all of that I'll be a very happy bunny.

Have you made any resolutions?