The problem with New Year Resolutions is that it only takes
one slip to break them.
You resolve to adopt a healthy diet, and then find a box of
chocolates left over from Christmas …
You resolve to write 1,000 words a day, but on the first day
the sun’s shining so you go for a walk first, and have a potter round the
garden, and then it’s time for lunch …
I much prefer to start a new year by writing down a list of
goals I hope to achieve over the next 12 months. Some are specific (I will finish
that novel!); others are vaguer (I’ll try to read more modern poetry).
If a writing goal doesn’t already have a deadline attached
to it, I’ll add one. I also put a start date on some projects because I tend to
waste a lot of time thinking about what I want to write instead of actually
sitting down and putting words on paper or computer. The important thing is
that most of these dates are flexible, so if I’m a day or two late I don’t feel
that I’ve failed.
But I’m always looking for ways to be more productive so
this year I’ve accepted the Write 1 Sub 1 monthly challenge. The idea is to
write and submit one new story each month. There is also a weekly challenge for
more ambitious writers.
Do you make resolutions or aim for goals? Do you have any
tips or tricks for keeping on track?
4 comments:
I don't ever own up to making resolutions, Linda. Whether I make them or keep them is between me and any all-knowing deity that happens to exist. I like your ideas here though.
I think creating goals with a date is a good idea - especially if it can be slightly flexible so that you allow for 'real life' intruding.
Like you, I've made goals for this year, and so far am keeping to plan, but then it is only 9th of January. We'll see what happens by the end of the year!
No resolutions, not ever. No goals either. I don’t work well under pressure, not even my own. But I do get things done without.
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