Let's Talk Resolutions

Something about that word "resolution" makes me tune it out as insignificant. I guess because most people won't keep their resolutions more than a week. I see it with friends trying to lose weight. I think it has to do with motivation, not will power. If they were going to be receiving $100,000 for every ten pounds they lost, I'm guessing they'd lose every last pound. See how that works? They don't keep their resolution because they don't want it enough. What about you? Why did you pick the resolutions you did for this year? Do you want them enough?

Me, I'd like to lose ten pounds and tone up so that (motivation) I'll be comfortable in a bathing suit. I also want to finish the manuscript I'm working on within the next three months like I told my agent I would (motivation) because it's important to me that I do what I say I'll do.

Motivation is not enough in itself, but it's a good place to start. We need a plan to get her done. Last year I gave up TV so I'd have time to write and read. I keep my small goal of not sitting in front of the tube, but it didn't result in my bigger goal of writing or reading more. So, this year I'm going to add the specific goal of reading two novels a month and one non-fiction.

For my get-in-shape plan I joined a gym, but like giving up television, that alone won't tone my muscles. So I added the specifics of having to go three times a week, use the treadmill thirty minutes minimum and complete half of the weight circuit machines each visit.

It's hard to stay motivated so my little rewards for staying on track: at the gym I get to spend ten minutes in the steam room after I work out. I LOVE this part and it actually inspires me to go on the days I'm dragging.

Writing-wise I keep a chalk board in my office and every time I finish a new chapter, I erase the last number and put up the next. Small and simple but seeing "Chapter 10" become "Chapter 11" is motivating to me.

The reward for reading the books? Knowledge. I love to learn but obviously that in the past hasn't been enough so every month I accomplish my reading goals, I'll buy myself one hardback classic or book I just love for my collection.

So Novel Journey readers – what are YOUR goals for this year? To become a better wrier? Great, we're all about that. How are you going to make that happen? Write down your plan, you're more likely to stick to it. Tell friends, this keeps you accountable. Ignore the self-deprecating talk of "I can't do it". Replace it with positive self-talk with "I can do it". Or "I screwed up today but I'll do better tomorrow".

If you can't think of actual steps to make your goal a reality, ask for ideas from your friends, your mentor or someone who has accomplished what you'd like to.

If you want to be published, that's not a goal you can accomplish in itself without a little luck or providence, but becoming a better writer is. Submitting to publishers is. Finishing your manuscript is. Writing three hours a day, everyday is.

If you're feeling brave, share a goal for this coming year with us and we'll revisit it next January to see how you fared. In other words, we'll keep you accountable. Now that I've shared mine, you can keep me accountable. Oh dear.