Ivy Keating's Blog - Posts Tagged "goals"
J.O.Y.
Today, I was inconvenienced. I had to wait to pick someone up, and there was no parking. I pulled down a side street and sent a text message - 'I'm here...'.
As I waited, I started to get annoyed. I like taking photos of nature for my social media. So, to pass the time, I drove slowly down the block. Just yards down the road I discovered a lovely stream, a quaint bridge, and a large lake with rock features and ducks - who knew?
My bad mood lifted! It made me think how negative emotions can obstruct our ability to reach our goals, but there are things we can do to lift our spirits. Here are three ways to move on with J.O.Y..
'J' is for 'justify' your feelings. We all have suffered disappointments. Tell yourself it's okay to feel upset, sad, or any other way.
'O' is for 'options'. Help yourself move away from negative feelings by thinking about 1 or 2 things you can do to change the situation. Even making a small list can help you realize things can change.
'Y' is for 'you', as in 'you can do it'. When we feel vulnerable it's harder to act. If you can think about the options you have and make a small start you will move yourself on to feeling better.
**I wish everyone Happy Holidays and the skills to keep that happiness all year round! **
As I waited, I started to get annoyed. I like taking photos of nature for my social media. So, to pass the time, I drove slowly down the block. Just yards down the road I discovered a lovely stream, a quaint bridge, and a large lake with rock features and ducks - who knew?
My bad mood lifted! It made me think how negative emotions can obstruct our ability to reach our goals, but there are things we can do to lift our spirits. Here are three ways to move on with J.O.Y..
'J' is for 'justify' your feelings. We all have suffered disappointments. Tell yourself it's okay to feel upset, sad, or any other way.
'O' is for 'options'. Help yourself move away from negative feelings by thinking about 1 or 2 things you can do to change the situation. Even making a small list can help you realize things can change.
'Y' is for 'you', as in 'you can do it'. When we feel vulnerable it's harder to act. If you can think about the options you have and make a small start you will move yourself on to feeling better.
**I wish everyone Happy Holidays and the skills to keep that happiness all year round! **
Focus and a Good Night's Sleep
Years ago, I learned a trick for what to do if I couldn't fall asleep. The solution was to stop trying. Get up, walk around, even turn on the light, and then - after a few minutes - settle back in bed and close my eyes. It worked!
I think the reason this trick was successful was because it took the focus away from the pressure and the negative feelings of not being able to do something. Negative feelings stifle productivity.
Did you ever notice how sometimes the best ideas come to us when we're not trying? While submitting my second novel for consideration an agent asked me what inspired the story. My answer was the Great Lakes. What an odd answer for a fantasy novel with magical creatures, but I remember thinking about the lakes and wondering what kind of imaginary world could be built around them. Without pressure or doubt it's easier for ideas to flow.
If you are trying to start a project or find yourself having trouble finishing one, ask yourself if negative thoughts are blocking your ability to succeed. If you have to refocus, step away from the project, even for 10 minutes, and come back to it. This simple action may be all you need.
I think the reason this trick was successful was because it took the focus away from the pressure and the negative feelings of not being able to do something. Negative feelings stifle productivity.
Did you ever notice how sometimes the best ideas come to us when we're not trying? While submitting my second novel for consideration an agent asked me what inspired the story. My answer was the Great Lakes. What an odd answer for a fantasy novel with magical creatures, but I remember thinking about the lakes and wondering what kind of imaginary world could be built around them. Without pressure or doubt it's easier for ideas to flow.
If you are trying to start a project or find yourself having trouble finishing one, ask yourself if negative thoughts are blocking your ability to succeed. If you have to refocus, step away from the project, even for 10 minutes, and come back to it. This simple action may be all you need.
We're Connected!
When it comes to reaching goals, the importance of networking should not be overlooked.
Networking is the act of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional contacts. It can also help us generate fresh ideas.
The extent one can benefit from this varies. There's a sentiment-It's what you don't know that can hold you back. As you're working toward your goals, seek out others in your field. Chances are you will discover something that can help you that you may not have known to look for.
An example of a site that has fantastic networks for writers is Goodreads! To find the best ways to promote 'Camouflage', I searched for Goodreads' groups that discuss promotions. For finding an agent, I like the network "Query Tracker" because writers share their experiences. These sites do not push an agenda. Instead they encourage dialogue. In reading this blog, you are networking because there's an opportunity to share comments and ask questions.
No goal can be reached in isolation. Finding a good network can be an invaluable resource.
Networking is the act of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional contacts. It can also help us generate fresh ideas.
The extent one can benefit from this varies. There's a sentiment-It's what you don't know that can hold you back. As you're working toward your goals, seek out others in your field. Chances are you will discover something that can help you that you may not have known to look for.
An example of a site that has fantastic networks for writers is Goodreads! To find the best ways to promote 'Camouflage', I searched for Goodreads' groups that discuss promotions. For finding an agent, I like the network "Query Tracker" because writers share their experiences. These sites do not push an agenda. Instead they encourage dialogue. In reading this blog, you are networking because there's an opportunity to share comments and ask questions.
No goal can be reached in isolation. Finding a good network can be an invaluable resource.
Pencil Me In
Today, many people are finding that their normal daily routine has been changed due to no fault of their own. If you are someone that feels they need an external stimulus to get motivated, now is the the time to to use effective strategies that can help you structure your day.
Why structure? Structure can help us feel secure in the sense that it gives us direction, purpose, and a path to reach our goals.
Think about something you want to achieve. Maybe you want to finish writing a book or learn how to use a new computer program.
Now, brainstorm - think of all the things you have to do to reach that goal. To learn a new computer program you may have to research what the best program for your needs are, watch a tutorial, upload information, etc. Write out what it takes to reach your goal.
Goals that are grand are usually harder to reach. A good trick is to focus on the step right in front of you instead of thinking about how far you have to go.
Every day, check your list and set aside some time to work on the behaviors you listed. By creating a new schedule for yourself, in absence of your regular daily routine, you may find you can achieve something you didn't have time to before.
Why structure? Structure can help us feel secure in the sense that it gives us direction, purpose, and a path to reach our goals.
Think about something you want to achieve. Maybe you want to finish writing a book or learn how to use a new computer program.
Now, brainstorm - think of all the things you have to do to reach that goal. To learn a new computer program you may have to research what the best program for your needs are, watch a tutorial, upload information, etc. Write out what it takes to reach your goal.
Goals that are grand are usually harder to reach. A good trick is to focus on the step right in front of you instead of thinking about how far you have to go.
Every day, check your list and set aside some time to work on the behaviors you listed. By creating a new schedule for yourself, in absence of your regular daily routine, you may find you can achieve something you didn't have time to before.
Motivation
If motivation is the general desire to do something, then it's probably not lack of motivation that prevents us from reaching our goals.
The following are three common reasons we put off doing something we say we want to do.
1) There are aspects of reaching the goal that we don't like.
2) We don't know where to start.
3) We don't have a clear path to reaching the goal, so we become overwhelmed.
Here are a couple tricks to get you over the hurdles above and back on the path to success.
Usually there are elements of any activity that we love and some we do not. Take, for example, writing a novel; you may love crafting a story, but you may not enjoy editing it. Take a moment to think about why each step is necessary. Acknowledge "editing" is not your favorite. Then, try the Premack Principle and plan to do something you like after you complete the undesirable task. Modifying the environment may help, too. Keep your favorite drink handy or a book that inspired you on your desk as you continue to work.
If getting started is difficult, think about the very first step you need to take. Focus on it alone. A book can take years from conception to publication, but it starts with pressing the letters on the keyboard.
When we feel overwhelmed, it's hard to act. A great way to combat this is to put together a step by step plan. Break-down a huge task into manageable pieces. Finding a publisher or an agent is hard, but the first step is to create the book-then do a ton of editing-then create a query letter-and then look up publishers and/or agents that work with your genre. If you're not sure what to do next, researching the subject will give you the confidence to proceed.
If you're putting off reaching your goals, try modifying your method--it's likely you have all the motivation you need!
The following are three common reasons we put off doing something we say we want to do.
1) There are aspects of reaching the goal that we don't like.
2) We don't know where to start.
3) We don't have a clear path to reaching the goal, so we become overwhelmed.
Here are a couple tricks to get you over the hurdles above and back on the path to success.
Usually there are elements of any activity that we love and some we do not. Take, for example, writing a novel; you may love crafting a story, but you may not enjoy editing it. Take a moment to think about why each step is necessary. Acknowledge "editing" is not your favorite. Then, try the Premack Principle and plan to do something you like after you complete the undesirable task. Modifying the environment may help, too. Keep your favorite drink handy or a book that inspired you on your desk as you continue to work.
If getting started is difficult, think about the very first step you need to take. Focus on it alone. A book can take years from conception to publication, but it starts with pressing the letters on the keyboard.
When we feel overwhelmed, it's hard to act. A great way to combat this is to put together a step by step plan. Break-down a huge task into manageable pieces. Finding a publisher or an agent is hard, but the first step is to create the book-then do a ton of editing-then create a query letter-and then look up publishers and/or agents that work with your genre. If you're not sure what to do next, researching the subject will give you the confidence to proceed.
If you're putting off reaching your goals, try modifying your method--it's likely you have all the motivation you need!
Boo!
Boo!
Did I scare you? No, of course not. That's because there's no context here for a fright. This October's blog is on one of the best ways for an author to create drama!
On occasion, I've been asked to read other writers' works. The first thing I may notice from a new author is head hopping (changing from one character's point-of-view to another), but the other frequent mistake is that they often write situations that sound good but are not grounded in the moment. A trick to solving this problem is to write with 'mindfulness'. Through mindful writing an author can achieve a dramatic effect.
To write with mindfulness, the author must think about what the character is actually doing, hearing, seeing, and feeling - plus what is actually taking place in the setting. If an ambulance goes by, the character turns her head. If she thinks someone is following her, the quicker she steps. If she notices the branches on the bare trees look like gnarly fingers reaching down, then maybe if someone yells "Boo!" she'll jump!
Every action is grounded in the reality of the moment. It's never a beat ahead or written simply because it sounds dramatic.
When moving the plot along don't skip to where you want it to go. Take the reader there by allowing them to see and feel things through the reality of the moment. This awareness helps create a seamless narrative. The reader will not be distracted by inconsistencies, and this in turn sets the perfect platform for the creation of drama.
Did I scare you? No, of course not. That's because there's no context here for a fright. This October's blog is on one of the best ways for an author to create drama!
On occasion, I've been asked to read other writers' works. The first thing I may notice from a new author is head hopping (changing from one character's point-of-view to another), but the other frequent mistake is that they often write situations that sound good but are not grounded in the moment. A trick to solving this problem is to write with 'mindfulness'. Through mindful writing an author can achieve a dramatic effect.
To write with mindfulness, the author must think about what the character is actually doing, hearing, seeing, and feeling - plus what is actually taking place in the setting. If an ambulance goes by, the character turns her head. If she thinks someone is following her, the quicker she steps. If she notices the branches on the bare trees look like gnarly fingers reaching down, then maybe if someone yells "Boo!" she'll jump!
Every action is grounded in the reality of the moment. It's never a beat ahead or written simply because it sounds dramatic.
When moving the plot along don't skip to where you want it to go. Take the reader there by allowing them to see and feel things through the reality of the moment. This awareness helps create a seamless narrative. The reader will not be distracted by inconsistencies, and this in turn sets the perfect platform for the creation of drama.
Turkey Vulture
It's a few days before Thanksgiving, so this is the perfect time to tell about my mistake with a "Turkey Vulture".
I try to be mindful not to write anything just because it sounds good. But, my editor caught me doing just that.
In my mind, a turkey vulture is a big, scary bird. It's wingspan is up to 72 inches, and some in the species are larger than vultures. They're bodies are dark, brownish-black, and they often sit high in trees with their wings spread. The sight of such a bird overhead must mean trouble. I referenced them as a bird of "prey".
This was my mistake. I said it simply because it sounded good. But turkey vultures are, in fact, not birds of prey; they are opportunistic feeders.
To the plot of my novel--it made no difference. But, the mistaken reference took the reader, my editor, out of the story to make the correction. Anything that distracts the reader from the plot is something a writer must avoid.
The turkey vulture gave me a good reminder to proof-read carefully, and always write for accuracy-never just to sound good.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I try to be mindful not to write anything just because it sounds good. But, my editor caught me doing just that.
In my mind, a turkey vulture is a big, scary bird. It's wingspan is up to 72 inches, and some in the species are larger than vultures. They're bodies are dark, brownish-black, and they often sit high in trees with their wings spread. The sight of such a bird overhead must mean trouble. I referenced them as a bird of "prey".
This was my mistake. I said it simply because it sounded good. But turkey vultures are, in fact, not birds of prey; they are opportunistic feeders.
To the plot of my novel--it made no difference. But, the mistaken reference took the reader, my editor, out of the story to make the correction. Anything that distracts the reader from the plot is something a writer must avoid.
The turkey vulture gave me a good reminder to proof-read carefully, and always write for accuracy-never just to sound good.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Merry and Bright!
The holiday season can be a very festive time. But, expectations to be joyous can make us feel stressed. This year, especially in the face of the pandemic, we may need a little help to stay merry and bright. Here are three things to try in any situation that gets you down.
1. Stay in the moment. On the road to any lofty goal, whether it's enjoying the holidays or publishing a book, try not to focus on all the variables ahead but what's actually happening now. Being in control is comforting; think about what you can do in the moment and take things one step at a time.
2. Reframe the situation. This is something I learned from Social Work school. Try to think of something negative in a different way. For example, instead of saying, "It won't feel like Christmas if I can't see my relatives," try, "I'm going to be really creative to connect with my relatives."
3. Take the next step. When we're down about something it may be hard to move away from what's upsetting us. On the path to our goals, there are often disappointments and setbacks. But, try to remember - that's all they are: bumps in the road. The best way to feel better is to think what's the very next thing you can do to move forward. It's amazing how one small move in the right direction can gain momentum.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. I wish everyone a wonderful holiday season, with good health and goal attainment! - Ivy
1. Stay in the moment. On the road to any lofty goal, whether it's enjoying the holidays or publishing a book, try not to focus on all the variables ahead but what's actually happening now. Being in control is comforting; think about what you can do in the moment and take things one step at a time.
2. Reframe the situation. This is something I learned from Social Work school. Try to think of something negative in a different way. For example, instead of saying, "It won't feel like Christmas if I can't see my relatives," try, "I'm going to be really creative to connect with my relatives."
3. Take the next step. When we're down about something it may be hard to move away from what's upsetting us. On the path to our goals, there are often disappointments and setbacks. But, try to remember - that's all they are: bumps in the road. The best way to feel better is to think what's the very next thing you can do to move forward. It's amazing how one small move in the right direction can gain momentum.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. I wish everyone a wonderful holiday season, with good health and goal attainment! - Ivy
Take a Breath
Acting on impulse is letting your emotions make decisions. While some choices have to be made faster than others, it's often beneficial to take a moment and steady our feelings before making decisions.
Here's an example; Today, the cover artist for 'Sarana and the Dark King' sent me a dozen potential designs. When I looked at the first few, I knew they weren't right. Sarana was too exposed. It was completely the wrong look for this female warrior. Immediately my impulse was "there's nothing here that's going to work". As I looked through the other photos, I was only seeing the faults.
I took a breath.
Scrolling through them a second and third time, I started to see the potential. One image of the woman was spot-on, and the font from another rendition was perfect. With a calm head, I could see she actually presented me with all the elements of a fantastic cover.
It's helpful to be in-tune with your emotions. If you're about to make a decision based on impulse, take a breath, think it over. You may discover something wonderful.
Here's an example; Today, the cover artist for 'Sarana and the Dark King' sent me a dozen potential designs. When I looked at the first few, I knew they weren't right. Sarana was too exposed. It was completely the wrong look for this female warrior. Immediately my impulse was "there's nothing here that's going to work". As I looked through the other photos, I was only seeing the faults.
I took a breath.
Scrolling through them a second and third time, I started to see the potential. One image of the woman was spot-on, and the font from another rendition was perfect. With a calm head, I could see she actually presented me with all the elements of a fantastic cover.
It's helpful to be in-tune with your emotions. If you're about to make a decision based on impulse, take a breath, think it over. You may discover something wonderful.
Comfort Zone
As part of the promotion package for my second novel. my publisher requires us to create an "About the Author" paragraph.
The problem is, I find it hard to write about myself. To finish the task, it helped to keep the following things in mind, and I find them useful whenever faced with something difficult:
First, it benefited me to acknowledge that I felt uncomfortable. One might think giving something 'negative' attention keeps you stuck in the problem, but the opposite is true. By validating my feelings, I stopped fighting my thoughts of how difficult the task is. It was like I no longer had to be heard–– I was heard–– and now I could move on.
When faced with a tough situation, after acknowledging you're having difficulty, start the task knowing that it's important to be true to yourself. Everyone has a unique way of expressing things, and this difference is often interesting. My essay may not give information about my family or my favorite books to read, but it will sound authentic.
My last bit of advice, when doing something outside your comfort zone, is to be open to criticism. Listening to someone else's opinion does not mean you have to do what they say. But, if you keep an open mind, they may have some wise words about how to improve what you've done. My editor told me, I really should add something more personal. I put this in at the end, and I agree it improves the piece.
I'd like to share my "About the Author" paragraph below. All critiques are welcome. I'm always open to suggestions, especially when writing something out of my comfort zone.
A story can be born out of an image. This is where my stories begin. A site that intrigues me will hold my imagination. I enjoy writing Science Fiction and Fantasy. ‘Sarana and the Dark King’ was imagined from a mental picture of the Great Lakes. The proximity of these bodies of water and the land that surrounds them lend themselves to the formation of separate kingdoms— at least they do in my mind. My challenge as a writer is to take this intriguing setting and create a plot that is both clever and surprising. I enjoy creating characters with depth. I have a master’s degree in social work, and my education has taught me to analyze why people act the way they do. I’m also an animal lover. Books and movies with a man vs nature theme are my favorite. I’m not certain this qualifies, but I’m obsessed with “Grogu” (“Baby Yoda”).
The problem is, I find it hard to write about myself. To finish the task, it helped to keep the following things in mind, and I find them useful whenever faced with something difficult:
First, it benefited me to acknowledge that I felt uncomfortable. One might think giving something 'negative' attention keeps you stuck in the problem, but the opposite is true. By validating my feelings, I stopped fighting my thoughts of how difficult the task is. It was like I no longer had to be heard–– I was heard–– and now I could move on.
When faced with a tough situation, after acknowledging you're having difficulty, start the task knowing that it's important to be true to yourself. Everyone has a unique way of expressing things, and this difference is often interesting. My essay may not give information about my family or my favorite books to read, but it will sound authentic.
My last bit of advice, when doing something outside your comfort zone, is to be open to criticism. Listening to someone else's opinion does not mean you have to do what they say. But, if you keep an open mind, they may have some wise words about how to improve what you've done. My editor told me, I really should add something more personal. I put this in at the end, and I agree it improves the piece.
I'd like to share my "About the Author" paragraph below. All critiques are welcome. I'm always open to suggestions, especially when writing something out of my comfort zone.
A story can be born out of an image. This is where my stories begin. A site that intrigues me will hold my imagination. I enjoy writing Science Fiction and Fantasy. ‘Sarana and the Dark King’ was imagined from a mental picture of the Great Lakes. The proximity of these bodies of water and the land that surrounds them lend themselves to the formation of separate kingdoms— at least they do in my mind. My challenge as a writer is to take this intriguing setting and create a plot that is both clever and surprising. I enjoy creating characters with depth. I have a master’s degree in social work, and my education has taught me to analyze why people act the way they do. I’m also an animal lover. Books and movies with a man vs nature theme are my favorite. I’m not certain this qualifies, but I’m obsessed with “Grogu” (“Baby Yoda”).
