Happy New Year, everyone!
Every year on January 1st, I reflect on my goals from the past year and set new goals for the new year. I organize them into subtopics because it helps me have more of a handle on the different facets of my life.
Here’s how I did on my goals for 2014:
Writing Goals
1. Establish writing routine. 400 words. Every day. No excuses. {I definitely made progress in establishing a writing routine, but with teaching and other commitments, I think writing 5 days a week is more sustainable for me than trying to write every single day.}
2. Revise thesis manuscript and send to agent. {This was definitely one of my biggest accomplishments of 2014… there were many times throughout this year where my novel felt like a giant mess and I worried it would never come together… proof that diligent work, day by day, adds up!}
3. Complete memoir manuscript. {I completed about 100 pages of this, but am at a crossroads now, unsure if I want to move forward on it or put it aside. We shall see!}
4. Complete 200 pgs of new novel. {I’ve started a new manuscript, am about 20 pages into it!}
5. Write a new one-act play.
6. Write a full-length play. {Wrote the first act of a new full-length play!}
7. Finish Verna novella & put out as an ebook. {Didn’t finish my Verna novella, but did put out 3 short stories as ebooks on Amazon}
8. Write three blog posts a week.
9. Read at least one short story a week.
10. Read at least 40 books.
Write On! For Literacy Goals
1. Send out a newsletter every other month.
2. Become an official nonprofit organization.
3. Teach a summer writing camp.
4. Teach a winter writing camp.
5. Teach a college essay/app seminar. {I’m crossing this off because I did a great deal of individual tutoring and college app coaching.}
6. New ebook of work by young writers. {Working on it now!}
7. Compile Writing Camp ebook/program.
8. Hold a Holiday Book Drive.
Professional Goals
1. Apply to fellowships & Ph.D. programs.
2. Send out 52 submissions. {I sent out 71!}
3. Submit 12 freelance queries.
4. Launch tutoring business. {This was a big part of my year!}
5. Publicity: 10 talks/blog posts/radio shows.
6. Conduct 5 writing workshops. {I surpassed this a great deal through my job teaching at Communication Academy!}
7. Put 10% of every paycheck into savings.
8. Put $1,000 into Roth IRA at end of year.
Healthy Life Goals
1. Exercise 3 days a week.
2. Do core work 5 days a week.
3. Stretch every day.
4. Meditate at least 3 days a week.
5. Smoothie and/or salad every day.
6. Send a card/letter to Gramps every other week.
7. Participate in She Reads Truth.
8. Complete Year of Wooden challenge.
9. Journal at least once a week.
10. Pray & count my blessings every night.
Here are my goals for 2015:
Writing Goals
1. Log at least 10 hours of writing time every week.
2. Sign with a literary agent.
3. Complete new novel manuscript.
4. Complete four new short stories.
5. Write a full-length play.
6. Complete eight new nonfiction pieces.
7. Finish Verna novella & put out as an ebook.
8. Write 150 blog posts.
9. Read at least 50 short stories.
10. Read at least 40 books.
Write On! For Literacy Goals
1. Send out six newsletters.
2. Publish new edition of Dancing With The Pen.
3. Teach a Summer Writing Camp.
4. Teach a Winter Writing Camp.
5. Compile Writing Camp ebook/program
6. Hold a Holiday Book Drive.
Professional Goals
1. Publish collection of essays.
2. Send out 52 submissions.
3. Send 52 charming notes.
4. Revamp website.
5. Publicity: 10 talks/blog posts/radio shows.
6. Put $1,000 into Roth IRA at end of year.
Healthy Life Goals
1. Exercise three days a week.
2. Do core work five days a week.
3. Stretch every day.
4. Meditate three days a week.
5. Smoothie and/or salad every day.
6. Send a card/letter to Gramps every month.
7. Complete Year of Simplicity challenge.
8. Pray & count my blessings every night.
Questions of the morning:
- What are your goals for 2015?
- How do you organize your goals and stay motivated throughout the year?
Day-By-Day Masterpiece 