Goals, Dreams Resolutions: Questions for 2010

We’re getting towards the end of the calendar year, and it’s time to look ahead to the next calendar year in a way that builds on what we learned in this one. Some of us start our “new year” in the fall; some prefer to start it with the new calendar year. Remember that every year, every month, every day is the chance for a fresh start, if you choose to use it that way.

Take a look at these questions and ponder them. Please do NOT post answers until after January 1, 2010. Work on them between now and then, but post AFTER January 1. We still have a two months’ of growth and change left in this calendar year!

Some people wonder what the difference is between a goal, a dream, and a resolution. I see them as three elements of our overall path. The following definitions are my definitions, ONE definition, not THE definition.

A GOAL is a tangible endpoint that feeds into more endpoints supporting your overall life. For instance, goals can include a daily writing quota, finishing or editing a work in progress, learning a new skill, taking a new risk, or creating and sticking to a fitness program that makes it easier for you to achieve your other goals.

A DREAM is something that seems a little further out of reach, and may need several cycles to achieve. It’s something you want, but are not necessarily sure how to get there. When you break dreams down into smaller goals and resolutions, you find a tangible path to reach them. Sometimes, as you evolve, you find the dream isn’t really what you want or need, and have to let it go.

A RESOLUTION is a promise you make to yourself in support of your goals and dreams, something that makes your life and the lives of those around you better, more fulfilled, and more supported.

Shall we start?

1. Look back on 2009 and write a few paragraphs about where you were at the beginning of the year, what changed over the course of the year, and where you are now.

2. What did you have to let go of or what did you choose to re-prioritize over the course of the year? Why? How do you feel those choices will serve you moving forward?

3. Where did you/do you feel stuck? What can you do to remove the obstacles that you feel held you back this year? Where do you need to ask for help in practical areas? Where do you need to re-manage and re-configure your time?

4. What couldn’t you have foreseen at the start of 2009 that took place, and how did it affect the rest of the year? How do you feel it will affect next year, if at all?

5. Where did you choose not to be true to yourself? How will you avoid that next year?

6. Looking ahead, where do you want to shift and hone your focus for the next year? Why?

7. What are three practical steps you will take to do so?

8. Where will you learn to say “no” when necessary?

9. On a piece of paper, head three columns. One is your overall goals for the coming year. The second is your financial goals for the coming year. The third lists your emotional/spiritual goals for the coming year. You don’t have to list them on the site, but take a look and see where these three lists are in alignment and where they are in conflict. What are three things you will do this year to align these lists?

10. List your goals for the overall year, and a couple of practical steps for each you can take to make them come true.

11. List your dreams for the year, and a couple of practical steps for each you can take to make them come true.

12. List your resolutions for the year, and a couple of practical steps for each you can take to make them come true.

13. How can those around you help support you achieve these?

14. What was the scariest thing you attempted this year? How did it feel to put in the effort? How does this affect you as far as trying things out of your comfort zone moving forward?

I will repost this list early in January with my responses, and then look forward to your lists.

My list for the month is fairly long and brisk. Normally, I’d participate in National Novel Writing Month, but this year, I had too many deadlines and too much travelling. Rather than drive myself crazy and put myself in a situation where I’d be unhappy, I opted not to do Nano and focus on deadlined projects.

I miss the energy of writing with several hundred thousand other people, but for me, this year, it was the sane choice.

I’m also re-thinking next year’s agenda — there’s a lot in flux for the coming year.

If yo haven’t signed up for my newsletter, why not do so this month? Starting with the November issue, I have a treat JUST for subscribers. Send an email to newsletter – at – devonellingtonwork.com with “Subscribe” in the subject line. It’s a random newsletter, coming out monthly-ish, and I expect to have the November one out sometime next week.

November To Do List:

Newsletter (with special treat for subscribers)
2 SDR blog posts
1 Sole Struck Fashions post
3 short stories
12-15 Pitches/Submissions/Queries
Follow up on outstanding submissions and queries
Finish up paperwork for Catholic Writers Conference
Work for Confidential Jobs #1 & #3
Finish Prague essays
Work on Prague articles
Finish Cape articles
Finish pet health article
Continue web redesigns
Work on brochure mailing
Research historical children’s story
Finish ANGEL HUNT revisions
Work on AMENDS
Work on steampunk novella
Work on litfic novella
Work on BE THE MONSTER
Work on development of large project
Site jobs
Get Christmas/holidays sorted
Get overseas cards written and out by end of the month
Spend time at National Archives doing research
Upstate trip
Washington DC trip
Site jobs

All month, I felt like I wasn’t getting anything done, but to look at the list, I was more productive than I realized.

The last two days of the month were a big push — finishing two major grant proposals, and getting out one 5K story and one 9K story.

I’m ready for a vacation!

Here’s the wrap-up:

October Wrap up

Done:
Newsletter
2 SDR blogs
Rewrite Anita Blake essay for anthology
2 NYFA grant proposals
2 short stories
Pitches/Submissions/Queries — I only did 7, so I’m below my goal for the month. Honestly, I was so busy, I only skimmed the job boards and was unimpressed with the quality. Since I’m working on a new marketing push, I didn’t pitch much from the listings.
Taught at the Muse Online Conference — a great experience, as always
Jaunts for articles
Work for Confidential Job #1
Sole Struck Fashions post

In Process:
Prague essays
Prague articles
Cape Cod articles
Pet health article
Keep up on current submissions/queries
Follow up on previous pitches — I’m behind on this
Website redesign
Brochure mailing
Follow up to post card mailing
New marketing campaign

Postponed/Dropped:
Research historical children’s story — for November
Type up AMENDS and work on middle – rolled to November
ANGEL HUNT REVISIONS — November

Unexpected additions:
Confidential Job #3, which will be exciting, but time consuming
Call for a steampunk anthology
One of the short stories morphed into a novel and had to be replaced by another short story
Novella idea (litfic)
Additional site jobs
Consulting work in an area of expertise new to me
Revisions requested for “Mina’s Test”
Took an honorable withdrawal from the wardrobe union
Family history research
Development begun on a big project

Disappointments:
There was a major disappointment which I can’t yet discuss publicly until the legalities are sorted out.
Problems with the landlord — acts of harassment and aggression against tenants, including cutting down all the beautiful old trees.

Successes:
2 grant proposals out
A roster of new seasonally-based clients
Shed some projects which no longer fit the vision for my work
Invited back to the Muse Online for 2010, teaching TWO workshops
Invited to teach TWO workshops at the Catholic Writers’ Conference in February
Site bookings for November
“Mina’s Test” accepted for January publication

How was your month?

Whew! Hello everyone! I’m back from my trips and working on my articles related to them. Prague was both fascinating and frustrating. I feel as though I’ve only scratched the surface, and I’m researching grant opportunities so I can go back for a longer period of time and poke around the layers of history a bit more.

If you follow my blog, Ink in My Coffee, I’m doing a series of essays on my trip, with photos.

Autumn always feels like a time for a fresh start. Perhaps it feels natural because of the way the agricultural calendar falls — you harvest, reassess, and start over. Or maybe because it was the start of many of our school year growing up, and seems a good opportunity for a fresh start.

I also took a huge personal step by requesting an honorable withdrawal from my Broadway union. Now it’s truly live or die by the pen, baby, for me!

Last month’s To Do list was quite short, because of the trips. This month’s is longer, but I didn’t want to make it too long.

October To Do list:

Newsletter
2 SDR blogs
Prague Essays
Prague articles
Cape articles
Rewrite Anita Blake essay for anthology
Research historical children’s story for new-to-me editor
Finish pet health article
Finish NYFA grant proposals
2 short stories
Type up AMENDS and plot middle; keep working on it
Finish ANGEL HUNT revisions
Keep up on current submissions/queries
12-15 new pitches
Follow up on appropriate previous months’ pitches
Work on site redesigns in preparation for relauch
Another brochure mailing
Prepare follow up post card mailing
Teach at the Muse Online Conference
Complete jaunts for articles (several are set up this month)
Create a more active marketing campaign
Complete assignments for Confidential Jobs 1 & 2 as they come in

As you can see, not a lot of fiction is in the above list. I’m easing back into the fiction slowly, and will add more of it back in as I clear off the non-fiction, contracted, paid deadlines.

I’m also doing some reassessment, which will be reflected in the questions I post for you to consider for your next cycle. I feel as though I got caught up a lot, again, in the past few months, in other people’s priorities instead of staying true and focused on my own writing priorities. When you write for other people and they pay you, of course that comes into play, but I feel as though it went out of balance. I’m trying to move it back into balance.

Happy Fresh Start!

Since I”m going to be away for a good chunk of September, my only goal is to have a good, safe, and inspirational trip.

Other things are settling into place for the next few months. True colors are being revealed, as are hidden agendas and all sorts of things. It’s fascinating.

I am re-prioritizing things so that i can take some major creative risks next year — and still earn my living writing.

I am also working on the questions for 2010, which I hope to post in early October, to give you plenty of time for contemplation.

The Life-Writing balance is pretty good right now, but the types of writing in the “writing” part of the equation have gotten unbalanced, too many have-to’s, not enough want-to’s, so that has to be re-alinged.

The summer was fascinating as far as figuring out priorities and finding out others’ agendas.

You?

I’m keeping August’s list short, becuase, again, there are a lot of factors out of my control this month:

Pitches: 12-15
2 SDR blogs
Sole Struck Fashions
Lit Athlete column
Newsletter
2 mystery short stories to anthology
Finish serial
Penny’s Dreadfuls
Continue website redeisgn
Continue ebook re-design
Continue Czech lessons and Prague prep
Work for Confidential Jobs 1&2 as necessary
Client projects
CRAVE THE HUNT
ANGEL HUNT
Direct mail – Fearless Ink brochure

July Wrap- Up

July took some interesting twists and turns, mostly to hearth-and-home demands. I’m glad I kept the list short! I’m also extremely grateful that the freelancing is picking up briskly.

Done:
Pitches: 8 – not much worth pitching
SDR blog post
Sole Struck Fashions
Work for Confidential job #1
Client Projects

In Process:
DIXIE DUST RUMORS blog tour
Jenny storm web presence
Setting up readings for DIXIE DUST
Library of Congress paperwork
First draft of serial
CRAVE THE HUNT
ANGEL HUNT
Re-design ebooks and reload them
Czech lessons

Undone:
1 SDR blog post
Penny’s Dreadfuls stories

Unexpected Additions:
Anthology invites (started work on the stories)
Outlines for several projects
Hired to write for THE HEALTHY HOUSECAT
Real progress submitting backlog of stories
Trip to Maine, resulting in 300+ direct mail prospects
Site job in CT, resulting in 75+ direct mail prospects
DIXIE DUST RUMORS mailing

Disappointments:
Not enough hours in the day
OLD-FASHIONED DETECTIVE WORK still not released
due to difficulties on publisher’s end.

Successes:
Getting away from UHaul once and for all!

I’m keeping this list fairly short; there are still a few elements in flux, and I have some practical life-stuff to handle this month that will take time and energy away from the items on this list, but I can’t yet itemize them and include them here.

Pitches: 12-15
Follow-up on two months’ worth of pitches
2 SDR blogs
Sole Struck Fashions
DIXIE DUST RUMORS blog tour
Jenny Storm web presence
Set up readings for DIXIE DUST
Library of Congress paperwork
Finish first draft of serial
Go back to CRAVE THE HUNT
ANGEL HUNT revisions
Penny’s Dreadfuls stories
Re-design ebooks and re-load them
Work on Website re-design
Czech lessons
Work for Confidential Jobs 1 & 2 as needed
Client projects

June was a much more tumultuous month than I expected, and I had to be very flexible:

Done:
Pitches: 10. There was very little on the job boards worth pitching, and while I researched some new markets and worked on new proposals, they’re not yet complete.
Follow-ups: 0. I kept putting it off and suddenly, June was gone.
Sole Sruck Fashions blog
2 SDR blog posts
Work for Confidential Job #1 – this was steady
DIXIE DUST RUMORS mailing part I
Client projects
Computer classes – 9 of them in a month!

In Process:
Preparations for Prague
DIXIE DUST RUMORS blog tour
Strengthening the Jenny Storm web presence
DEAD MAN’S STALL
First draft of serial
Work on postcards and brochures
The Matty book

Dropped/Moved:
CRAVE THE HUNT – will pick it up again in July
ANGEL HUNT revisions – will pick up again in July
Penny’s Dreadfuls tales – all moved to July
BLOOD SOUP – will pick up again in July

Additional:
Health care rally in Washington, DC
NHL Draft
New client negotiations
Additional story ideas/proposals
Dealing with storage issues w/UHaul
Re-design ebooks

Accomplishments:
“The Peace of the Night” in the Ranfurly Review
“The Retriever” in BOOKS FOR MONSTERS
Talks with potential new clients
Getting comfortable with the new computer
Getting and learning how to use the iPod Touch

Disappointments:
Problems out of control with UHaul, which caused both a time and an energy suck.

I’m not going to actually do this until the end of the month, but I’m already thinking about it. I’m looking over my original goals for the year, seeing what’s come up in the interim, and looking at the way I need to reassess what I’m doing for the rest of the year.

Some things will have to be re-prioritized; some may have to be dropped.

One of the things we have to remember is that dropping an item from our list doesn’t mean we failed — it means something better’s come along that takes priority.

We all have the same amount of hours in the day. It’s how we use them that defines us.