In a library meeting room somewhere in south Minneapolis, I sat across the table from my client. He had already spent a year with me in the employment program, and today was the day for his annual review—a time to refresh old goals and establish new ones. One of his goals from the previous year was even discontinued for the best possible reason: he had accomplished it.
We worked together to revise, edit, and create fresh objectives for his new year. Did he find the wording I chose for each point accurate for his employment search? Were all his goals SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound)? Did they clearly show where he hoped to go?
Established. Continued with improvement. Revised with minor improvement. Check, check, and check. At the end, he sealed our work with his signature.
On the drive home, I recalled my blog’s birthdate: September 18, 2014. So, twelve years old this year. Twelve years old? Where had the time gone? In the past, I poked tiny candles into cakes or various desserts I coerced the family to eat for photo ops to mark My Blonde Life’s special day. Maybe what my written girl needed this year, however, wasn’t sugar and a snapshot but instead a good old fashioned annual review.
Did my blog even have goals? Where did she hope to go in the next year? Was there a clear purpose for her existence? Did she have a desired outcome to motivate her days? And why on earth was I thinking about her in the third person?
The answers were hazy, the goals technically not SMART, but she did bring me specific assignments and a measure of joy. She achieved some new followers, sometimes covered relevant topics, and stayed on a timely schedule to deliver publications.
In the past year, she was predictable, at least mildly entertaining, and a Thursday morning highlight for the occasional reader who circled back to say so. Her overall performance was solidly okay.
Happy birthday, My Blonde Life! Seems you’re still doing your thing. Don’t stop now.
*Has My Blonde Life inspired or entertained you? If you wish to toss a tip into my writerly coffers, here's how you can do it: @Tamara-Schierkolk (Venmo), @TamaraSchierkolk (PayPal), or $TamaraSchierkolk (Cash App)
*Names in this blog have been changed to protect my family, neighbors, and friends in the neighborhood, and in a nod of appreciation to the beloved Swedish author Maj Lindman, I’ve renamed my three blondies Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka and their husbands (present and future), Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr.