Get your goals on…
Last January the ‘Buds wrote down their goals for 2008. We did a quick update in June to see where we were at–um we won’t go into the details now. Then at the Christmas party we had a prize for the one who had achieved the most. Sadly it was a tie for one thing accomplished–though several members did get other things accomplished in ‘08, it just didn’t happen to be on their list (like moi!). And, hey, for the two ‘Buds, it was one more thing than maybe they felt so inspired by in 2007.
At our January meeting on the 10th, we will set the 2009 goals. I’d love to really battle it out this year for the Christmas party prize–make the other ladies push their self as far as writerly possible. 
A few of us have taken a step to become more proactive in 2009. Sometimes all it takes is a swift kick in the pants to get yourself in the mood. A cheering section is an under-utilized tool, imo. I am dusting off my pom-poms and making sure my keyboard is in tip-top tapping shape! (and keeping a pen and pad handy won’t hurt for those down times when I can’t get to the computer but my brain is in over-drive)
What are your goals for 2009? If you could make yourself accomplish ONE THING, what would it be? Granted some things are heavily dependant on the industry, market and economy, but for some finishing that elusive fantasy novel or creating a kick-ass proposal keep us staring at the screen. We forget we CAN do it.
For me, I have some pretty simple goals for 2009–well simple on the surface. A lot is self-pacing and the ability to give myself permission to create–I can imagine a couple of folks shaking their heads–don’t underestimate the fragile ego of a writer (sometimes even chocolate and the hunky guy pics hanging around the desk are not enough) which goes back to the cheering section–see. My goals are uniquely mine motivation and need wise (which goes into more detail here), but please feel free to borrow and/or alter them to suit your own needs:
~ Finish two books
~ Submit two finished books
~ Start and finish a new book from start to finish
~ Submit brand spanking new book
~ Look for an agent
~ Write every week
2. January 2009 at 6:06 am
Great post Denise. My goal is to finish my WIP, write an article for our newsletter and do more reading. They are small and simple goals but I can do them, and I will!
2. January 2009 at 6:52 am
The quote for the total number of goals in a game is often 2. Piper Lovers
2. January 2009 at 11:48 am
Thanks Sandy ~ I forgot reading… that’s a good one too. I read so few books in ‘08.
2. January 2009 at 8:22 pm
Good for you, Denise! I fell through on some of my 2008 goals, so I’m moving them to 2009. Surprisingly, in 2008 an opportunity I hadn’t planned on popped up, so I contracted, researched, and wrote a novella for a Civil War-set novella and just finished the edits on that for The Wild Rose Press. Lovely people to work with. My greatest challenge is I MUST force myself to submit more. I hate the business of writing and want to bury myself in stories at the computer. Don’t submit, can’t sell. Repeat often. LOL
With you cheering all of us on [and applying a kick in the pants occasionally], perhaps I can accomplish more in 2009.
2. January 2009 at 9:13 pm
I think the best ones are the unplanned ones . . . I have my pom-poms airing out and kicking boots warming up (as long as you don’t make me wear the short little skirts, I’m good!)