kristinecayne.com

January, particularly January 1st, is traditionally a time of new beginnings.  A time for making resolutions and establishing goals.  Up to now, while I have made New Year's Resolutions, I have not been particularly good a keeping them.  I seem to be somewhat better at setting goals and creating action plans to reach them.

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Why would it be easier to reach a goal than to sustain a resolution?  Let's first consider what exactly a resolution is, particularly a New Year's Resolution.  One definition of resolution is: a firm resolve or determination to do something.  We often hear people say things like - This year I will quit smoking or This year I will lose weight, or again, This year I will do more exercise. While these are all good ideas, they are really little more than concepts. If the speaker does not add more clarity and definition to their resolution, it will never be achieved.

So, what should we do?  A goal should be as SMART as possible. What does this mean?  Let's break it down.

S: A goal should be specific.  If your goal is to do more exercise, how much exercise to you want to do?  How many times a week?  For how long?  What kinds of exercise?

M: A goal should be measurable.  A goal should be concrete enough that you know whether or not you have met your goal.  If you goal is to increase your self promotion, then to make this goal measurable, you might say something like I will create a presence on Facebook, I will start a website, I will create a blog, etc.

A: A goal should be achievable.  If you have a full-time job and a houseful of small children, writing five full length novels in 2010 is probably not an achievable goal.  It may be more realistic to commit to writing one novel and then have a stretch goal of writing two novels.

R: A goal should be realistic.  It is important when setting a goal to consider your own circumstances and abilities so that you are not setting yourself up for failure.  For most of us first time writers, it is not a realistic goal to say, I will hit the NYT Bestseller's list lin 2010.

T: A goal should have a time frame.  For example, if your goal is to lose weight, you need to say if your goal is to lose 20 pounds in 3 months (unrealistic) or 20 pounds by September 1, 2010.  The second is realistically time bound.

For more complex goals, it is also a good idea to have an action plan that will help you reach your goal. 

With all of this in mind, I have reviewed some of my previously expressed goals and revised them to meet the SMART criteria.

2010 New Year's Resolutions (non-writing)

This year, I have a few of my traditional non-writing related New Year's resolutions. Now,that I've attempted to make them more SMART, I hope I'll be able to realize them.

1. I will lose 10 pounds by September 30, 2010.  (Action plan: take a walk at least 2-3 times a week)
2. I will floss at least 4-5 times a week.
3. I will play at least one board/card/dice game with my family each week.

2010 New Year's Writing Goals

I'm hoping that 2010 will be as good a year for me writing-wise as the end of 2009 has been.  And, I've set my 2010 goals with that in mind.

1. Finish final draft of Obsession by 3/01/2010 (Action plan: edit/revise 2.5 chapters/week)
2. Send Obsession to Beta Reviewers by 3/07/2010
3. Finish updates to Obsession based on Beta Reviewer comments by 4/11/2010
4. Send Obsession to Agents by 4/30/2010 (Action plan: Starting 3/07/2010, begin working on Query Letters and Synopsis.  Research agents and determine appropriate guidelines for each.)
5. Start working on draft of 2nd Novel by 5/1/2010 (Action plan: Starting 3/07/2010, begin research for 2nd Novel)
6. Finish first draft of 2nd Novel by 7/30/2010
7. Finish final draft of 2nd Novel by 9/30/2010 (Action plan: edit/revise 2.5 chapters/week)
8. Send 2nd Novel to Beta Reviewers by 10/7/2010
9. Participate in NaNoWriMo 2010 to start draft of 3rd Novel (50K words) on 11/01/2010. (Action plan: Starting 9/30/2010, begin research for 3rd novel.)
10. Finish updates to 2nd Novel based on Beta Reviewer comments by 12/30/2010
11. Send 2nd Novel out to Agents by 1/7/2011 ((Action plan: Starting 10/07/2010, begin working on Query Letters and Synopsis.  Research agents and determine appropriate guidelines for each.)

Phew!  I'm already tired, LOL!  Just kidding. There is a saying, "Plan your work and work you plan."  That is exactly what I intend to do.  Without a plan, without goals, I won't get anywhere.  While these goals are a bit of a stretch, I believe that we all need to be challenged a little in our lives.  The challenge forces us to reach beyond and accomplish things we never thought we could.

My husband is very supportive of my writing goals and without him, clearly, these goals would already not be achievable.  He ensures that I have writing time every day and often comes home from work to find me deep in a scene.  With a "you keep working" in my direction and only minimal muttering as he makes his way to the kitchen, he graciously prepares supper.  What more could a girl want 

BTW, as promised, here's the photo of the reward I gave myself for meeting my goal to complete the draft of Obsession by 12/31/2009.



Please continue to send me your comments.  I love hearing from all of you!

Happy New Year Everyone and Happy Writing,
Kristine

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