2014 Is Upon Us
This is the time of year where I like to take stock in what’s happened in the last year and make plans for the next.
First, some housekeeping news. I’ve had a blog over on “http://speaking.kenkerns.com” since 2004, but as my blog atrophied, I moved my activity to the main website so it would be less embarassing that I no longer blog. Well, I finally found out I could import all of that old blog’s material seemlessly into my main site. So, “speaking” will no longer be a separate site.
Second, so what happened in the last year?
1) With the advice of the sweet and talented Jewelyn Sims, I finally admitted a career goal and sought help in laying out a five-year plan for achieving it.
2) Also due to her own actions, I inherited Jewelyn’s disability team in a reshuffle after her departure from the Funds. Consequently, one step on my 5-year plan was achieved.
3) I handled the transition and the juggling of two distinct jobs fairly well.
4) I passed my second and third exams. Now, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania has awarded me the Retirement Plans Associate (RPA) designation. This is a nice enough achievement, but could also be a stepping stone toward the better-known CEBS certification.
5) My scripts advanced in several contests. One of them, a sitcom about a nerd looking for a roommate, was a finalist at the Creative World Awards.
6) I released a short story told in first-person narration, a first for me.
7) I completed a collection of short stories that largely complete the journey for Senator Mike Adams by telling of his college years. If I do any more stories with him in it, he will most likely just be in it for a cameo.
8) I went to my sister’s wedding. She fell in love with the right guy so fast that it caught me by surprise, but I used the wedding as an excuse to fly first-class, just to see what the fuss was about.
9) I finally have a 6-month emergency fund. Now my future savings can go to buying replacement furniture or driving a stake through my student loan debt.
10) I lost weight by replacing some soda with water and trying to use decaf soda to force myself to get more sleep. It worked for a while.
Third, what’s in store for 2014?
1) One of my employees left in October and the higher-ups have decided we need to fill that position, so I will get to spend time interviewing, hiring, and training a new Disability Pension Analyst. That’s an important experience for my 5-Year Plan.
2) I plan to write a non-fiction book. More on that later.
3) I have several script ideas, including one based on my grandfather’s story of his return home from injuries on the battlefield.
4) I have several story ideas, including a revival of a sci-fi series I began when I was a Trekkie in high school.
5) I’ll have to decide whether to continue with my CEBS exams.
6) I’ll have to decide whether to move, including whether to continue renting or using my emergency fund to buy a condo.
7) My one-year anniversary as a supervisor, as well as two of my employees hitting five-year anniversaries.
So, yeah, even before the unexpected shows up, I’ve got plenty done and plenty more to do. How about you?
