Mid-Year Reset
By Joan Raymond, Writers of Kern Branch
Six months ago many of us made New Year’s resolutions. Daily word count, blogs posts per month, manuscripts completed, books read. Now it’s July. If you’re like me, you might have achieved a few goals, but by now many have been cast aside because life got too busy. Normally, I’d reflect and wonder what the heck I was thinking to have so many lofty goals. Then, I’d determine myself to plug along until December then make anew list in January.
This year, it’s going to be different. I’m going to “Reset” in July and start over. This will include several steps described below.
Because I’m in a different place than I was in January I’ll look over my old list and decide what is still relevant. Things important then might not be high on the priority list now. I’ll make one month, three month, and six month goals to take me to the end of December.
I’ll add new goals because one cannot stay stagnant and move forward at the same time. At least one of those new goals will include learning something new—the “step out of your comfort zone” kind of thing. While this won’t be easy, I know six months from now I’ll thank my old self for this.
I’ll add an accountability factor which will push me knowing someone not only has my back, but they will encourage me. Last year, my awesome friend and WOK member, Annis Cassells, and I challenged each other to write a specific amount of blog posts monthly AND to have our books published by the Spring Conference in March 2019.
The results of having this accountability: Sometimes we didn’t post our blogs until the last day of the month—but we got it done. For the books, Annis published hers and had it for sale at the Conference. Though mine was finished, I’d just received proof copies. I couldn’t sell them, but I took pre-launch orders. Without this extra push I know I wouldn’t have accomplished so much. (Thanks, Annis. You’re the best!)
This year I’m looking at my goals in a new way. I invite you to come along with me. My challenge for all of you: Reset your goals for the next six months.
Make one month, three month, and six months goals. If you had a list in January, go back and add what’s most important. Add at least one goal that’s new and one that will take you out of your comfort zone.
Make yourself accountable to at least one other person who will encourage you. If you really want to be accountable, share your goals with our Writers of Kern community. For those on Facebook, visit our group page and use the hashtag #WOKgoals If you are not on Facebook, email me at president@writersofkern.com with your goals. (Let me know if you want them posted to Facebook or not.)
Let’s look at July as a new beginning, because the beauty of it all is we can “reset” any time!
Author of the paranormal romance Guardian of the Gifts
and CWC Bakersfield Branch
Writers of Kern (“WOK”) president Joan Raymond
originally wrote this for the July 2019 WOK newsletter.
See her blog at https://joanraymondwritinganddesign.com/blog/.