Day 30: New Year’s resolutions

I achieved my 2011 New Year’s resolution just in time for 2012!

Nearly four years ago, I joined a project team in the Amway IT department in a change management communications role. When I started college, I imagined myself moving to LA to become a celebrity’s publicist. I grew up a bit – yep, I ‘found myself’ – and realized the Hollywood lifestyle was far from my cup of tea. Through the years I had many ideas of what I was going to do; I thought I’d be writing press releases, working with the media or planning events. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d end up working with a bunch of computer nerds.

Turns out that’s a rather antiquated stereotype. And, ok, that’s the dramatic way of stating it. : ) My team really isn’t straight IT, rather a mix of professions, but I had to say it one last time. And, truth be told, I’ve developed a pretty mean IT speak. I’ve spent the past few years loving my job and many days hating my job. (Who hasn’t?) But one thing remained constant: not a day went by where I didn’t learn something new.

This year, however, I wanted that new to come from a perspective that I could only get from a different role. And today I found out that I’m going to be the newest member of the employee communications team. Talk about a great Christmas gift!

As excited as I am about the change, it really is bittersweet. This was my first job out of college. It’s going to be a strange thing moving on. And more than anything, I’m going to miss seeing the people who’ve become my friends over the past several years every day. We’ve been through a lot together.

I’m typically not one for New Year resolutions; a numerical change in the calendar year really isn’t a motivator for me to do something. But I guess the memorable date is a good way to hold yourself accountable. Making it with 11 days to spare is pretty exciting, too. So, what will I set out to do for 2012…?

Buying a house seems too easy to make it my resolution for next year. Drawing upon a hidden love for house cleaning always fails. Maybe I’ll learn how to grow a garden. Or simply how to keep a house plant alive. Maybe my resolution won’t have anything to do with the new house… Nope, that’s boring.

Finish my 2010 goal of learning to play the guitar. Take an improv class. Start writing a book. Learn how to sew. Use a hammer to build something. Go to Manhattan. Travel somewhere new. Now those are much more exciting resolutions!

Before I get ahead of myself, however, I think my first focus is the transition from old to new on the career front. 🙂