New Year’s Resolutions

Are you one of those people who plan your entire year in the first few days of January? If so, what happens to those plans? Do you carry through (as much as humanly possible…we all know that life has a way of pushing us off onto unexpected trails), or are you one of the multitude who make resolutions only to forget about them a few days / weeks later?

My writing has forced me to discover that the only way to keep resolutions (I will write x number of books in 2012) is to set daily or weekly goals. A whole year’s worth of ambition is too much to hold onto…it’s like having the proverbial tiger by the tail. You’ve got it, but what do you do with it? How do you keep that worthy goal from tearing you to shreds?

But daily goals, even weekly goals, those I can handle. Sometimes they’re closer to a feral cat than a submissive kitten, but they’re still not as deadly as a tiger!

My solution to keeping myself on track has been to found a goals group. Several like-minded writers who report to each other on an ongoing basis about how we’re proceeding with our work. When life pulls me off track, these fellow trench-dwellers commiserate with me, and then help me find the strength to get writing again. Commiseration without encouragement might *feel* good, but it won’t help you in the long run. You need the “atta girl! You can do it!” comments too.

So, whatever your New Year’s Resolutions may be, I suggest you find at least one someone who will celebrate the victories with you, and commiserate and encourage you when you fall down and skin your knees. Moral support is more important than commonly believed!

It’s 2012. Your dreams are out there. GO GET ‘EM!!