Happy New year everyone!
As 2012 gets under way, I’ve been immersed in reading other blogs about whether or not to make resolutions.It’s kind of a natural topic du jour at the beginning of January.
I stopped thinking about New Year’s resolutions years decades ago. Don’t wait for the beginning of a new year to reflect. Do it every night before you fall asleep. Personally, each morning is when I remind myself of what I want to accomplish for that day (call it setting goals, if you like) and as the mornings roll by I can usually see progress as life ebbs and flows.
I’m not saying it isn’t good to set goals, because it is absolutely necessary to do that. Set them at other times than New Year’s though – as you see the need begin to logically appear not because it’s January 1st. Set them every day. I’m just saying …
Setting small goals will lead to great success. Believe in yourself and let the little engine that could be your inspiration. You CAN do it!
Then I read Kristen Lamb’s blog post from yesterday, 2012 AND PLANNING FOR SUCCESS IN THE NEW YEAR. I was totally blown away! Hurry, go there now – click right here – and take it all in. She has laid it out as clearly as I have ever seen it before. You can apply the six steps she outlines to whatever you do in life.
For those of us who write: read it and believe.
Then just do it!
Thank you, Kristen, for all you give to the writers following you.
If you are a writer and haven’t read Kristen’s best-selling books, order them now – We Are Not Alone–The Writer’s Guide to Social Media and Are You There, Blog? It’s Me, Writer . Both books are recommended by the hottest agents and biggest authors in the biz. Trust me, they will change the way you approach your writing and give you a bigger boost than you ever imagined possible! You only have to read the comments left on her blog to see how true this is.
After you have read Kristen’s post, I hope you will come back and leave a comment. Will you take those six points and use them as your guidelines?
Kristen’s post was terrific and although I’m using many of her techniques, I still found a few areas that I could tweak. I’m still learning.
We never stop, do we? Kristen’s guidelines will go a long way to help us move up that learning curve.
I enjoyed Kristen’s post also. I think the best one was about getting into critique groups with published or writers who are paid to write. I couldn’t agree more and think that’s great advice.
I don’t think Kristen missed anything in her guidelines. We are so lucky to have stumbled into her course!
Alright Patricia!
Poo on New Years Resolutions! I’m sticking with making Goals!
BTW, thanks for the RT girl! I’ll be back for another visit! 🙂
That’s the way!Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for directing me to Kristen’s post, it’s really great and useful.
I’m glad you stopped by and found it.
Thanks for the reminder ~ I saw Kristen’s post and thought, I’ll get back to it, then forgot. She’s got some great advice (as always) and some things I had pushed aside or just didn’t know. I agree with Bridgette that the part about critique groups with published authors is huge. Or, at the very least, a group of writers who are as dedicated to getting published as you are. I was in a group once where the leader just wanted everyone tell her how fabulous she was, but didn’t care about our stuff. It was beyond frustrating.
Trust Kristen to get right to the heart of the matter! Tameri, you’ve got the kind of group you need with your Wana711 Sistas and Bro. We’ll be with you every step of your journey.
Thank you for the suggestion, on my way over now. Happy New Year, to you too.
You are welcome and you’ll be glad you moseyed over! Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for the tip, couldn’t resist the prompt on SheWrites, so on my way to checking it out. All the best with your writing in 2012!
Thanks Claire! I don’t think you will be disappointed! Don’t you love SheWrites too? All good wishes for your writing this year too.
Great post, Patricia! I’m with Karen on focusing on goals versus resolutions. I’m all over my goals right now. 🙂 Kristen’s advice is always helpful because it is realistic, like this post about needing to plan to get success and her writing/blogging advice.
I’ve gave up on the New Year Resolutions years ago but I always have a short list of my most pressing goals. Row80 has helped me tremendously in that area. And of course, Kristen’s posts are always fabulous. I read every one of them.
And you know what, Angela? It’s obvious how you are constantly improving as a result … I can see it. You go, girl! You are establishing a name for yourself and a great presence! How’s that WIP coming along? I’m waiting for it!