I have never been one to set New Year’s resolutions and measure my success throughout the year. However, I do find that reflecting on the events of the past year and resetting my objectives for the next year is a worthwhile endeavor. In fact, the endeavor is one I perform for my personal life, my hunting life, as well as my professional life. I feel doing so provides a boost of confidence, as well as a path to follow for the remainder of the year.

As I pen this, I have a notion that I have been setting New Year’s resolutions all of this time. Whatever the case may be, here’s how I go about it.    

Reflect

This past year was an enduring year for myself and my family in many ways. I won’t bore you with the details, and please don’t take this as petty complaining; I understand that many others had a tougher year than me. That said, I know there are actions I can take this year to help alleviate those unneeded trials and tribulations. I will gladly add those responsibilities to my personal to-do list.

On the hunting side of life, I consider myself a bowhunter who takes full advantage of any means of hunting. In 2019, I was able to get in the field — bow in hand — on only a handful of occasions, which is quite pathetic for an editor of two archery-themed magazines. While some of the reasons for the shortfall of bow-in-hand field days were out of my control, most were NOT. I have already put a plan in motion that will increase my bowhunting endeavors in 2020; fingers crossed.

Professionally, I now have a year as the editor of Archery Business under my belt. That experience alone has boosted my confidence, still I know there is definitely room for improvement this coming year, as well as into the future. While I am thankful for the precedence set and guidance provided by my predecessor, Jace Bauserman, I am using the experiences of last year to apply motivation for increased success this year. I know this is not something I can do alone. Like most, I rely on a team; you — the reader — included.

Reset

This time of year — Show Season — is an exciting time of year for our industry. Several new bow announcements have already been broadcast and several will follow soon. In the coming month or so we will be inundated by a wealth of new archery product announcements and showings. I’m sure there will be a few “Show Stoppers” in the mix, too. As industry geeks, this is what we live for.

While the travel, long days, overwhelming information and increased risk of illness are all stressors at this time of year, I encourage you to make the most of your endeavors. It’s not imperative that you do it right now, but sometime soon, put a little thought into the events of the last year, take actions for improvement and then reset for a more successful, improved 2020.         

I — we really — are here to help. We already have what we believe to be informative and useful content lined up for this year. That said, as always, if there is a topic you would like to see included or expanded upon within the pages of Archery Business, or you simply want to send me a note, please feel free to reach out at any time by sending an email: darren.choate@grandviewoutdoors.com.

 I wish you a happy and prosperous 2020. Best to you!