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?
