I’ve never been one to coast and hope things happen. That’s why I set goals at the beginning of each year as a way to keep myself moving and motivated.
This year is no different, but there’s a part of me that wants to set simple, easily achievable goals this go around. Perhaps I’m a little gun-shy, flinching away because I’ve experienced the unpleasant kick of setting a goal and not achieving it in the way I’d hoped. Such an easy year would perhaps be an ego boost. “Yay, I did all I set out to do!”
Yet I know that at the end of December I’d look back and chastise myself for not aiming high enough. For not challenging myself. This battle has been raging in my head for all of January.
As the end of the month looms near, it’s time to call a halt to the battle and draw some lines. Although I’m skittish now, I’m unwilling to aim low. Maybe that’s a bad thing, but I’m leaning on the Norman Vincent Peale quote that says, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” Even if I don’t accomplish everything I set out to do in January, I’ll accomplish something. And I’m happy with that.
As usual, I’m using the SMART method for goals. All that stands for is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. It might not work for everyone, but so far it’s worked for me in that I can see my target and I know whether or not I hit it.
So, for this year here are the two big goals in the writing arena:
- Write and publish a new adventure book by August or September.
- Publish Hidden Mythics book II, the Quaking Soul sequel, by December. This might be achievable because I have the draft written. Now I just need to tame the beast you see in the picture above. As you can see from all those little sticky notes, I’m already working on the developmental edit.
In keeping with the realist portion of the SMART acronym, I’m not going to put adventure blogs into the mix. I really want to write and post them but I’m already stretching at the above two goals. I will, however, probably post my ALT posts (All the Little Things that inspire me) to keep in touch with all of you amazing people.
Thanks for sticking with me in this writing journey! The journey is way more fun with company.
Blessings,
Jennifer
P.S. What things do you hope to accomplish this year? Have you set any goals?
I love a clearly identified and measurable goal. Shoot for it!! All the best too.
Thank you, Rhonda! All to beat to you as well with your own writing 🙂
I admire the decision to aim higher and the quote! Good luck with your year’s goal and I hope you achieve them all!
Thanks Lucia! Good luck with your own writing endeavors this year 🙂
Wishing you all the best of luck in accomplishing your goals this year! That beast definitely looks like one, and I can’t wait to read the final product. I’ll miss your adventure stories, but can certainly understand how they would complicate achieving your goals.
I’ve never been much of a goal oriented person, but I’m hoping to at least finish some drafts this year. January’s been an interesting start to that so far, and I know things will get complicated once my kids are out for the summer, so I’m just hoping to find my way back into writing.
I miss the adventure stories too 🙂 so I’ll get back to posting them at some point.
I love that you’re digging in to work on your own writing this year! I’m always amazed at how much you get done with your two kids around. Good luck, Kat 🙂 I look forward to reading your work at some point!
Yay! I’m looking forward to them when you’re able to bring them back. You might get a few votes from us if I can convince my kids to participate, too. They love making choices, but aren’t so great at dealing with not having their choice taken.
Haha, I’m amazed, too. And confused about where the time comes from. If things don’t fall apart, hopefully you’ll get a chance to read it sooner rather than later!
Yay! For big goals! Cheering you on from afar!!
One goal for me is to expand my garden and grow lots more good food! Now I need to break it down and figure out how!!! 😀
That sounds like a fun goal! There’s something incredibly rewarding about growing things 🙂
Happy New Year, Jennifer! Love your goals for 2023! This year, I’d like to finish and publish my Beauty-and-the-Beast-with-dragons novella. Here’s hoping we can both reach our goals!
I applaud that goal! I know you’ve been working on that novella for a while now and it’ll be sweet success when it’s published 🙂
Good for you, Jennifer!
I like the “SMART” guidelines. As you may know from my blog, I recorded my first novel (Actually, I read it, and a recording expert recorded it. 😏) to make it into an audiobook. I would like to get my other books into audio this year. Also, my book on prayer has been used as a teaching tool for aspiring pastors in India, and they have expressed the desire to have it translated into one of their languages. I had never heard of that language, but in looking it up, I learned it’s spoken by about 48 million people!
These things are all doable, but expensive! So I will be praying about the resources to get them done in the Lord’s timing.
Happy 2023, and maybe I’ll see you on our way to the moon! 😉
Happy 2023, Ann! That’s fantastic about your books 🙂 it certainly is expensive but God has an amazing way of proving in His time. Cheers to our moon missions 🙂
It’s a good approach Jennifer. I began shooting for the moon when I was very young and in a bad accident that needed a lot of rehab to live any semblance of normal life…It works.
Glad to hear it! So far it’s been a good mindset for me too 🙂
You go girl!! I think my goal would be to stay healthy and have some fun along the way. Kinda nebulous but, doable at this point. Love mom 🙂
Sounds like a good plan 🙂
Goals, deadlines and direction sound good. Cheering you on. Supporting you is one goal for “us” this year, so, let’s see how that plays out.
Greatly appreciate all your encouragement 😊