Picture from Unsplash
by Nora LeDuc
A snowy day energizes us with clean, fresh snow. We often need to store up this power because this month in offices everywhere, employees sit down with a supervisor to appraise their performance. January is Review Time. I remember each winter, having to write up how I had accomplished my annual goals and creating new ones before my meeting with my principal. I felt like a fortuneteller looking into her crystal ball as I typed my upcoming plans. When the moment arrived to discuss them with my boss, I'd be sweating it. He'd go over last year's targets with my outcomes. Then he'd examine my proposed undertakings. Thankfully, things went smoothly. Occasionally, he'd tell me about a new district effort and would add that to my agenda. I was always relieved when the intense fifteen minutes had ended.
Truthfully, I'm not a person who sets up long-term goals. Ask me what I'll get done this morning or this week, and I'll have answers. Ask me what I'll do in 12 months, and I have no idea. But since it's a New Year, I will look back and reflect on my writing for 2020, my own review. And I'm surprised.
I began to use my inactive Twitter account. (#usinghashtagshelps) I learned about graphics and their importance in promos. For a while I'd wanted to write a short story, but I had pushed the idea to the bottom of my list. Well, last summer, I wrote one titled Beach Kisses & Sunset Wishes It was included in a box set with a group of fabulous authors. Just reading the names listed in the anthology was thrilling. And most exciting was the news I became a Best Selling Author on Amazon!! I also started a new series Love & Lies in Paradise and released book one. I'm currently working on the second. My first holiday title was published. And best of all, I received several personal messages from readers who loved it. Many said the story made them happy when they were feeling low. Thank you for telling me!
So may your yearly or daily plans bring you happiness, and may you discover wonderful stories in 2021 that touch your heart and send it soaring.
PS Let me know if you're a long-term goal person or short. You might give me some tips.
💗 Nora
Best Selling Author on Amazon
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Twitter is a crazy world. I remember the first time I used a hashtag. I was worried I'd done it wrong. As to your question about goals, I'm both. But I think I make more short-term goals than long-term.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think I had to be reminded my tweets were't going anywhere without those hashtags! I'm glad to hear it's a crazy world there. Moves fast. Here's to short-term.
DeleteI enjoyed your post. I've gotten active on Twitter, too, although I'm not sure I'm gaining anything by it. I lean toward short-term and am very envious of people who are the other way!
ReplyDeleteI wonder how we judge how well Twitter works. It's like we send messages to the great beyond sometimes. Another short-termer! We rule, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI now have an accountability partner and this year, for the first time, I set goals for my year. Every month I have target for $$ earned, writing, promotion. Every other month I plan to release something: a new book, a print version of a backlist book or a boxed set of my own books. This is an experiment and so far it’s working. Ask me again in July! LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm so impressed,Bonnie. Can you try to double your work the next month if you don't meet the deadline? I'd love to hear about this in July or whenever.
DeleteI say take baby steps. Often we try to accomplish way too much, or are so driven by numbers the writing becomes secondary to the marketing of you. Seems like you have set achievable goals. Go You!
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to get caught in numbers. They're tangible and we can see them and want more of them! Thanks for the cheer! Always can use one.
DeleteWriting goals? I'm a champion procrastinator so I HAVE to set writing goals. I have titles planned into next year and review the list often to give myself a little nudge. Personal goals? Hopefully, I'll be able to lose weight this year. And give the house a deep cleaning. Maybe I'll get caught up on laundry. I'm sure someone is sneaking in dirty laundry because we don't have this many clothes. LOL I enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteYou are funny. I bet they are sneaking in the laundry. Those elves are mischievous. Best of luck with your books.
DeleteI may be the odd person out here, but I am both a long term goal writer and a short erm goal writer.
ReplyDeleteEvery morning I make a list of goals I want to accomplish for the day.
Every month I make alist of goals I want to accomplish for the month.
Every year I make publishing and health goals I try to stick to.
Great post, sweetie!
Peggy, I think you could be a life coach. I'm always in awe of all you accomplish and so well. I'm surprised that there aren't more long term goal-ers, here. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteI write goals all the time. I have a planner where I put daily and weekly goals and an accountability group where I post what I actually accomplished. Then I post my new goals for the next week. I also have yearly goals that encompass what books I'll write, what I need to revise and edit, what will be published. Also what conferences (when we get back to them) and what workshops or webinars I'll do.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite things is to check the item off my list. If I do something extra, I add it to my planner, then check it off. So satisfying!!
Kari, that sounds amazing. Do you write more than one book at a time? Is your accountability group just about goals or do you do more there. Seems like posting it would be motivating and more real than a hope. Thanks for all this info. Check off must be lots of fun. I might x mine.
ReplyDeleteI remember those January work reviews. For me they were demotivating. I just know what has to be done and do it. Seat of my pants. Same way I write.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, Nora, as witnessed by the many really good comments. I'm a planner, list maker, goal setter, etc.
ReplyDeleteI have good intentions. I do!!!
ReplyDeleteGood point about the work reviews, Nora. At my assisted living we get reviews on the anniversary of our hiring. The director feels that everyone needs something to strive for, so my manager has to mark me down on something. We usually discuss it in advance and agree on trying to be on time as a goal. Gee, as long as I get the raise...
Pretty impressive goal makers here! During this past year, I’m lucky to reach my daily writing goal. I’m more short term, anyway, maybe because I seem to have multiple projects going at once. And I just started engaging with Instagram, also having to be instructed on hashtags. Really, I just want to read and write!
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