I’m surrounded by positive quotes at my computer to encourage me every day. Since writing is a solitary business and there are constantly plenty of road blocks in the way, it’s important to never lose sight of the goal. But what is this goal? First, one must understand the goal and envision it. Second, one must plan how to get from point A to step B. Third, one must work hard to achieve each rung in the ladder leading up to the goal until the final product is in hand.
January is a month to meditate on goals and at Okay, Listen Here, we’ve been no different. But when do goals materialize and become tangible entities that will positively influence lives?
I recently had the opportunity to hear a published writer speak about setting goals. She advised to set a goal and then double the time sequence for it. Since I had already set goals for 2011, I now have to take a more serious and practical look at those goals. Are they tangible? Am I setting myself up for failure? Under this writer’s direction, it appears I have.
Today, besides waiting for the BIG game to start (Auburn vs Oregon), I’m reconsidering my 2011 plan. After all, it’s almost mid-January and I still have yet to produce any writing. Why? Well there are too many reasons to go into here, but one important reason would be spending time with my children before they had to go back to school or their jobs. And of course, there is getting the house back into order, putting away Christmas decorations and moving furniture back into place. Thanks to a snowy day, I took the opportunity to chalk those things off my list today. ;)
(Cue Scarlet: “Tomorrow is another day!”) But unlike Scarlet, as writers, we neither have time to waste on words, nor chance any threats to our productivity.
So where did I go wrong in visualizing my goals? Here’s where I erred. I did not take into account the holiday transformation of my home, nor the kids being home and everything that entails. I also didn’t factor in illness, vacation, trips to and from children for whatever reason, and down time. Just yesterday that hit me full force when I heard that my grandson had fallen and broken his elbow. He’ll have surgery tomorrow. (Please pray for him.)
But I digress. Is it back to the drawing board so soon? Well, thankfully it is never too late to start over, to reinvent oneself, or redirect goals for whatever reason.
Tonight, while I think of my grandson and cheer, War Cam Eagle!, I’ll be restructuring my goals for 2011. And as I do, I’ll keep in mind these quotes, which have been an neverending source of inspiration to me.
“Struggle as hard as you can for whatever you believe in!”
“If it is to be, it is up to me!”
“Never, never, never give up!” Winston Churchill
“Live your dream, love your life.”
“You’re holding the seeds of your own future in your hand right now. Step out in faith. Start now planting one good seed after another. Eventually you’ll enjoy a good harvest every single day!”
Where are you in your 2011 goal plan? Have you had to backtrack like me or are you on track?
Hope your grandson has a speedy recovery. Many times I've had to backtrack, too. Life happens.
ReplyDeleteI hope all goes well with your grandson. I, too, find myself lacking in the goal dept. I haven't even finalized my goal list yet, BUT I am making strides with my synopsis. Finishing that is one of my goals, so perhaps I am on track even though I don't have a formal list. Hang in there! It will all fall into place.
ReplyDeleteI hope your grandson recovers quickly. And I did like the writer's suggestion to build an extra month into the deadline plus one week for each family member and the dog. LOL. I tend to give myself pretty tangible deadlines but I also give myself slush time. I also give myself easy goals to reach every day and every month so I feel like I've accomplished something. And the Top 5 Priority List I keep is always reevaluated every 3 months. That gives me an opportunity to reset my deadlines and goals.
ReplyDeleteI am keeping it simple for now and not worrying about the major deadlines. One of my goals last year was "understand that life happens and just roll with it." That was the year my FIL got cancer and died as well as the year my hubby got a hip replacement. Life definitely happened and I did roll with it.
Hugs!
Patricia, Crystal, and Christine, thanks for thinking of my grandson. His surgery is at 10 a.m. this morning.
ReplyDeleteWhy does life always interfere with my plans, Patricia? Something simply has to be done about this. LOL!
Crystal, get that synopsis ready. I KNOW you can tackle the great synopsis mystery! ;)
Christine, you have a fabulously detailed goal plan on your blog. I wish I could narrow everything down the way you have. And yet, your goals are simple and doable too. How do you do it? :)
Believe me, Kathy, I'm ready to cross that synopsis off my list. It's amazing the monsters we create for ourselves. Hopefully my list of goals won't take on a life of its own. I must remember to know myself and remain reasonable.
ReplyDeleteMy goals are ever changing--but I always have some.
ReplyDeleteLet us know how it goes with you grandson. I'll say a prayer.
You're good about remaining reasonable, Crystal. I envy that. ;)
ReplyDeleteJean, being flexible is a great plus.
Thanks for your prayers everyone! My grandson came out of surgery fine. They put 2 pins in his arm to help his elbow heel and he'll be in a cast for 4 weeks. He's only 3 1/2 yrs old. Bless his heart! I know my heart is breaking for him and the pain he is going through. I'm waiting to hear more from my son.
Kathy-Very thought provoking post, as usual from you. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have a few goals for 2011. I find that it helps me to break my goals down into chunks to achieve along the year rather than just waiting until the end of the year to see how it went.
Good Luck and prayers for your grandson!