In my last post I discussed creating a vision board or map to help you achieve your writing (or personal) goals in 2012. However, some people don’t like visual or artsy exercises involving cutting and pasting. They prefer words and lists–something that feels more concrete and doesn’t involve visualizing or getting in touch with their emotions.
If you are one of these people, I suggest you try writing out your goals instead. Come up with a list of all the things you want to achieve this year. Chunk the large ones down into smaller items, and then try to quantify these in some way. How much of each will you do each week or by when will you achieve them? Add in actual dates whenever possible. Here’s my goals list. It has five personal items on it and twelve professional ones.
Some people also like to put their goals on 3×5 cards. You can then read through them in the morning and in the evening, reminding your self of what you want to manifest in your writing life. Take time to really imagine what it would feel like to have those goals achieved right ow in the present moment. Then, write own at least one thing–better to write down two or three things–you will do today to help you achieve them. These can be inspired action steps or simply things you know you must do to achieve your goal.
Whether you employ a list or 3×5 cards, I suggest you also add your goals to a calendar. I have goals for each month, and I have goals for each week. Then, for each month and each day I create a to-do list. I transfer unfinished items from one day or month to the next. At a certain point, however, I make myself get these tasks done–even if it means giving things up or losing sleep. In other words, I employ deadlines and I stick to them.
Combine the us of goal setting and to-do lists with a vision board. This can be very powerful. Additionally, having a written vision works really well. I’ll discuss that on Friday.
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