Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Goaling

Today's post is more about writers and even non-writers, than writing.  It's about deciding who and what we want to be, then making plans to get there.

AKA- goaling.

Not making a goal, that sounds too stagnate and stationary, but goaling (yes, I made it up, it's one of the perks of being a writer- we make up words ;)).  Goaling refers to building a goal system that grows and changes as the goals change and as we change.

And yes, I'm looking at goals when everyone is in a holiday madness.  I hear you yelling, "I do that on January 1st!  Not now!"  But that's the great thing about goaling, it never ends and starts whenever you start.

The idea of making resolutions, hard and fast lists that most will lose after a few days, doesn't work for many folks- if they work for you- awesome!  Keep doing them.  But if they don't, I propose goaling as an option.  Now, you could start your goaling now- planning the up coming year, and just be in "training" mode for Jan 1.  That way you're kind of doing both and you'll possibly have a better success rate than the just starting/planning/ everything on Jan 1 folks.

How do you start goaling?  I'm glad you asked. :)

1)  Look at your entire life and see what's working and what you think could be better.  Write those down.

2)  Where do you want to be a year from now on all aspects of your life?  Write those down.

3) How can you make things better for others in the coming year?  Write that down. (yes, goaling is sneaky, because making things better or helping others actually makes YOU feel better this will help keep you moving towards your own goals.)

4)  Write down anything else you think might be helpful, cute, funny, or challenging in the next year.

Now look at those things, all your nice lists- make sure they include everything you want to move towards this year (you can do further if you want).  Start at the end goal- 12 months from now (or your start point if you are delaying it ;)).  I put it at the top of a big sheet of paper with twelve lines I use one of those oversized paper pads.  Then below it, write what would be where you would be the month before it, and so on.  At the bottom is your start point.  I do one sheet per goal.  Now you do have a list, but at anytime you are allowed to change that list.  Make a new one.  In fact, you should be reviewing the goals and steps each month at least.  List not working?  Revamp and move on.

The idea of reminding yourself that adjusting goals, or the path is allowed, removes the whole "oops- broke my resolution, might as well give up."  You CANNOT fail your goals as long as you keep moving and keep adjusting them. As long as you are moving forward you can't fail ever- you're just adjusting things.

8 comments:

  1. Oh. Goals... (Hear the wind go out of my sails?) Should I have them? Of course. Do I? Vaguely. Sort of. Sometimes. For me, concrete deadlines help. Get all my Christmas cards made in time to send out...check. Get that birthday present bought in time for the big day...check. Get 50,000 words written for NaNoWriMo in the month of November...check. These work for me because if I don't met the deadline, I've failed to live up to a self imposed responsibility. But what happens when I don't meet the goals I've made for myself? Pretty much nothing. I don't know how to make a deadline for these that I feel compelled to meet. Giving myself the option of changing when the goal should be met is, for me, like not giving myself a goal at all.
    Does this sound like a cry for help? Maybe...

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    1. LOL Sharon! Good friend that I am, I am willing to verbally kick your bootay each month next year if you don't make your goals. So set them up with deadlines, then send them to me!

      Marie- at work, can't get on blogger

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  2. This is a great reminder, Marie! I want to start mapping out my goals for 2015 for both writing and every other area of my life! :)

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    1. Awesome, Cassi! I think planning them out is half the battle ;)

      Marie- at work, can't get on blogger

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  3. I already know what I want to get accomplished writingwise this next year. The only question is whether I'll manage to do it.

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    1. Well, Ken, make sure to break it down into manageable chunks, and you just might! :)

      Marie- at work, can't get on blogger

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  4. I like you organize steps to the goal by putting the ultimate goal at the top.

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    1. Thanks, Sharla :). It's the way my mind works ;).

      Thanks for coming by!

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