Shooting for the Moon

I’ve never been one to coast and hope things happen. That’s why I set goals at the beginning of each year as a way to keep myself moving and motivated.

This year is no different, but there’s a part of me that wants to set simple, easily achievable goals this go around. Perhaps I’m a little gun-shy, flinching away because I’ve experienced the unpleasant kick of setting a goal and not achieving it in the way I’d hoped. Such an easy year would perhaps be an ego boost. “Yay, I did all I set out to do!”

Yet I know that at the end of December I’d look back and chastise myself for not aiming high enough. For not challenging myself. This battle has been raging in my head for all of January.

As the end of the month looms near, it’s time to call a halt to the battle and draw some lines. Although I’m skittish now, I’m unwilling to aim low. Maybe that’s a bad thing, but I’m leaning on the Norman Vincent Peale quote that says, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” Even if I don’t accomplish everything I set out to do in January, I’ll accomplish something. And I’m happy with that.

As usual, I’m using the SMART method for goals. All that stands for is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. It might not work for everyone, but so far it’s worked for me in that I can see my target and I know whether or not I hit it.

So, for this year here are the two big goals in the writing arena:

Write and publish a new adventure book by August or September.Publish Hidden Mythics book II, the Quaking Soul sequel, by December. This might be achievable because I have the draft written. Now I just need to tame the beast you see in the picture above. As you can see from all those little sticky notes, I’m already working on the developmental edit.

In keeping with the realist portion of the SMART acronym, I’m not going to put adventure blogs into the mix. I really want to write and post them but I’m already stretching at the above two goals. I will, however, probably post my ALT posts (All the Little Things that inspire me) to keep in touch with all of you amazing people.

Thanks for sticking with me in this writing journey! The journey is way more fun with company.

Blessings,

Jennifer

P.S. What things do you hope to accomplish this year? Have you set any goals?