Taking my own advice – looking back at what I’ve achieved in 2010

In the last issue of my microMag for 2010 I’m going to be writing about the importance of taking some time to look back and take note of all you’ve achieved in the past year. For my last blog post of the year I’ve decided to take my own advice and take a look back at what I’ve done over the last twelve months.

1. Blog posts

I’ve published just over 100 blog posts this year.

Every since reading Darren Rowse’s excellent, 31 Days to a Better Blog, I’ve been far more focused in my blogging activity. Midway through the year my blog was rechristened as Sustainably Creative and in September this year I reached one of my personal goals of replacing the income I had given up when I decided to become a full-time artist and blogger.

2. Podcasts

I’ve recorded 20 microPodcasts this year.

I don’t really think I’ve got into the swing of podcasting yet. Making them isn’t second nature and I’ve noticed that they are the first thing to go when my energy is low, but even so, I have an aim of one every two weeks, so twenty isn’t so far short. Perhaps next year, I’ll find them a little easier to make.

3. The Beany

I released the first ever ebook version of my illustrated journal The Beany (and got very excited seeing it on an iPad).

The Beany seems to be falling into an annual cycle, which is quite nice. I was particularly proud of this issue, it covers the year following my mother’s death, a year, that despite a lot of sadness I rediscovered a lot of simple pleasures in life through drawing and reminiscing.

I produced a limited edition hardback version for the first time (now sold out) as well as my more usual paperback version and the ebook version. I’m particularly excited about the ebook version. I’m a big fan of Apple’s iPad and can see a lot of potential for artists to produce affordable work for the iPad.

This year also saw the introduction of an affiliate program for people who would like to help sell the digital version of The Beany and other forthcoming ebooks.

4. Start to Draw Your Life

I released a free ebook, Start to Draw Your Life.

Start to Draw Your Life began life a free to download and make book (the files are still available on Flickr) but earlier this year I decided to combine the content of this book with another free book I’d also put on Flickr and release it as an ebook. Currently the book is approaching 4000 downloads.

5. MicroMagazine

Midway through the year I launched my microMag, Getting Your Important Work Done.

The microMag is emailed every two weeks (or thereabouts!) and each issue is a gentle reminder encouraging you to get on with your Important Work, offering advice on how to remain sustainably creative in the face of life’s demands.

6. Sustainable Creativity

I released the first “warts and all” version of my new ebook, Sustainable Creativity to around 100 readers.

Sustainable Creativity has been growing in my head for a number of years, so I’m very pleased to see it finally taking shape this year. It is a book about learning to use whatever energy you have available, however limited it may be, to maintain a creative life (or even livelihood).

I decided to produce the book in a manageable way. It has largely been written in 20 minute chunks of time, and this first version really is a “warts and all” edition! Anyone buying this first edition is getting it at a special price and is helping me be able to continue to develop the book.

Everyone who buys the the ebook before the next version comes out early next year will receive free updates to the book, plus an additional 15% affiliate commission on top of the usual 51% offered, should they wish to help sell the book and it’s future incarnations. Full details can be found on the book’s mini site.

I am so pleased to be ending the year having released this book. If feels like an culmination of many years of learning how to be sustainably creative.

Rounding up the round-up

I have to admit to a certain amount of discomfort at blowing my own trumpet quite so forcefully, but at the same time it does feel good to realise just how much I have managed to achieve in what has been quite a challenging year health wise.

Before I sat down to write this post (it’s taken me all day!) I didn’t really have a very clear idea of what I had achieved. I do feel rather proud of myself! I hope you’ll spend some time looking back over the last twelve months and realising just how much you’re done too.

Remember, little and often really is the way to get things done. Be kind to yourselves. See you in 2011.