In light of the New Year, I thought I would say a few words. So many of us set goals for the new year and then give up half way, or more often give up after only three weeks or one or maybe in just a few days. Here are a few tips to make your goals a reality this year that have worked really well for me:
- Write them down. It seems so simple. You know what you want to get done, right? Why write them down. Well, first, get it on paper so that it’s brought into the world and out of your head. Second, it makes it easier to set completion targets. And lastly, because it just feels good. There is nothing like putting those goals down and actually see what you’re going to get done. It’s exciting!
- Set realistic goals. Saying that you’re going to make a million dollars this year without setting down the means to do that is pie in the sky. Sure, you can decide to do that but don’t forget that without winning the lottery, you need a plan to achieve that goal.
- Persist: to continue steadfast or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, especially in spite of opposition, etc. (Random House Dictionary 2012) Be persistent. Your goals will never be achieved while you’re watching TV, playing video games or hitting the bars. That doesn’t mean you can’t do anything fun, it means make sure you continue, on a regular basis, doing things to forward your goals. In 2012 I didn’t set lofty targets but I did note down that I wanted the first book in my Guardians Den series to be done and to the Editor, I wanted to get through the first draft of Book Two, start my own publishing company and publish the first book of short stories for my writers group. By persisting, I did all of those things except complete the first draft of Book Two. I got almost halfway through it though so I’m not sweating it. Make time to work on your dreams and use it to your full advantage.
- Don’t listen to the dream stealers, the evil critiquers, the pessimistic downers that you come across in life. If you ever find yourself doubting your abilities, your dreams and aspirations: STOP. You’ll get nowhere beating yourself up. Experience a set back? Keep going. This is key. Let NO ONE stop you. You are important and you can get or achieve what you want.
- This may not apply to you but if it does, I hope this helps. Does your day job get you down? What do you want to be when you grow up? Are you working to achieve that? If your J.O.B. is so horrible that you dread going on a regular basis, maybe it’s time to switch it up. You never know what may await you. Almost two years ago I realized I wasn’t enjoying the daily grind. One lunch break I was headed back to the office and I decided that it was time for a new game. Working for others was not what I wanted to do forever. I’m a writer, I want to do that all day long, but I also need to eat, keep a house over my head and keep the electric on while I get my words down for publishing. So I wanted something different. The very next day after making that decision, I ran into a friend who worked at a company who needed someone and I fit the bill. I interviewed the next day and was hired on the spot. After putting in my notice, two weeks later I was at the new company and it is everything a day job could be for me. Great people, fun work and caring bosses. My point is this, don’t sell yourself short and think that you have to be miserable during the day while working into the night creating what it is you really want to be doing. You can enjoy making the money you need to survive while continuing to create your future.
Every year around our anniversary, my husband and I sit down and list out our individual goals for the new year and a separate list for the whole family. Then we make plans to achieve those goals. It could be as simple as setting aside an amount of cash each week for a family outing or it could be agreeing that during certain times, Dad cooks so Mom can tuck away in the office and get a few thousand words out. Whatever it is, it’s always fun create time together and also gives opportunity to show our support for each other’s dreams.
Have a wonderful New Year – Dream big and often!
Author Lisa Barry 