U.R.A. Writer, M.D. : Time for Your 1st Quarter Checkup!

The clock is ticking ...! Unbelievably, we’re almost one-quarter of the way through 2010. Are you where you planned to be when you optimistically set those goals on January 1? Have you finished those chapters? A synopsis? Entered a contest? Sent off a query letter? Brainstormed your next book? Are you anywhere close to where you wanted to be three months into the new year?
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If you’re right on target--congrats! But this post isn’t for you, so you’re free to wander off and do whatever it is people do who’ve pushed it to the limits, crossed the finish line, and are ahead of the game. If you do decide to hang around, though, pop over to the comments section and introduce yourself--and tell us how you did it. I promise everyone will treat you nicely. Maybe a little booing. But no rotten egg throwing.
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Now, for the rest of us ... Before we get whiny, beat ourselves up, and toss in the proverbial towel only one quarter into this still-promising new year, let’s step back and take a look at where we wanted to be at this point, how we intended to get there, and what tripped us up. No, I’m not a degreed psychologist, but over the years I’ve read volumes on goal setting and attainment by some of the best in the business. And most of all, I’m slowly but surely learning what works for me and what doesn’t via a good old-fashioned combo: prayer, research, and trial & error.
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So keeping in mind that research proves that to be effective a goal must be clear, attainable, and measurable, let’s ask ourselves a few questions.
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1) Was my writing goal for this quarter sharp and clear? You can’t hit a fuzzy target or one that’s changing constantly because you haven’t clarified it in your own mind. Maybe you’ve even set too many goals and your energy and focus have been diluted. Or perhaps you didn’t establish a regular writing routine and stick with it. As Zig Ziglar says, by clarifying your goals “you move from being a wandering generality to becoming a meaningful specific.”
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2) Was my writing goal for this quarter attainable? Or was it too ambitious? Be honest here. Looking back over the past three months, was the goal you set even remotely doable? Positive thinking can pack a powerful punch, but sometimes we set ourselves up for failure with unrealistic expectations. Then we get down and discouraged because we didn’t reach a goal that sane people would have told us was way off the realism charts and into the realm of wishful thinking. Setting unrealistic goals is demotivating and may subconsciously slow us down or cause us to quit making effort at all. Management consultant Brian Tracy says you must be able to believe your goal is attainable in order to achieve it.
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3) Was my writing goal for this quarter measurable? Like unattainable goals, unmeasurable ones sabotage us. Successful goal setters know that quantifiable goals for which we can monitor our progress are a driving force that keeps us moving forward.
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I once read that the difference between successful people and those who aren’t so successful is that successful people are solution oriented. All of us face challenges, obstacles and even opposition to reaching our goals. Few receive a ticket for a free-sailing ride to the attainment of a dream. So still thinking about your answers to the above questions, let’s dig a bit deeper and talk possible solutions. Bible teacher Joyce Meyer says “You can be pitiful or you can be powerful. Your choice.”
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1) Are my goals God’s goals? Once you and God together have established your goals, present yourself and your goals to him on a regular basis. Be flexible as he molds and modifies them (and you!) as time goes on. Ask for and expect his guidance, his wisdom, his encouragement and support. Thank Him for it.
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2) What’s my self-talk sound like? We mentally chatter to ourselves constantly. What are you feeding into yourself twenty-four hours a day? Could it be: “I’ll never be published.” “I’m not a fast writer--I’ll never get this book done.” “I can’t plot my way out of a paper bag.” “My dialogue stinks.” “My ideas are no good.” “Nobody will like this.” “I’m scared ...” “No way will I ever--” “I’m just fooling myself.” “I can’t--” I can’t--” I can’t--”
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Don’t let fear and doubt overwhelm you. Prayerfully begin to reprogram your mind. This won’t happen overnight, but start today. Talk back to those negative voices. “With God’s help I can do this.” “More than anything I want God’s will for my life, and if it’s his will that I be published, nothing can stop me--except me.” “God gave me a talent and a dream, and I will be faithful to it.” Pray that you’ll immediately recognize the old negative self-talk when it whispers in your ear, then don’t indulge in it. Slam shut the mental door. Stomp your foot and say “STOP” if that’s what it takes. Then refill your mind with truth, not lies.
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3) Did I do my homework? Sometimes our goals aren’t met because we’re lacking certain knowledge or skills. We slow down or even come to a screeching halt because we haven’t yet grasped some basics of crafting a story. Things like point of view; episodic writing; premise; plotting; dialogue; scene and sequel; or maybe goal, motivation and conflict. But guess what? You can LEARN these things and add them to your repertoire. Check out the Seeker archives, on-line classes, or recommended books on an area in which you wish to improve.
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4) Did I take the time to write down my clear, attainable, measurable goals and regularly review them? Goal gurus know that writing--and rewriting--your goals, thinking about them in a positive, solution-oriented manner on a regular basis, is a primary key to achievement. Research shows it highly increases the likelihood of goal attainment. And bringing your goals to God daily for his input and direction honors both Him and the dream he’s given you. So write down your goals. Post them at your computer, on your bathroom mirror, on the dashboard of your car. Review them. Pray about them.
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5) Did I set too many goals? This can be a form of vagueness that leads to procrastination because you’re overwhelmed. Too many targets and not enough time and energy to hit them all, so you’re mentally scattered, unfocused, unproductive, stressed. Review your goals again. Which one is your immediate priority? Which one, when achieved, will be the most likely to open the door to achieving the next?
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6) Did I create a checklist of deadlines and bite-sized mini-goals that I can achieve on a daily or weekly basis? A short-term goal is the fuel that keeps you moving toward the BIG goal. Instead of thinking “I’ve got to write a book,” tell yourself “Today I’ll write a paragraph, a page, X number of words.” It may sound noble to say “I’ll write a chapter every day,” but is that feasible? It may be an entirely viable plan for some, but is it a reachable goal for you? Will it stress you out, cause you to neglect other responsibilities or commitments, or make you feel like a failure when day after day you can’t hit that target? Set a goal that is within reach, one that having successfully been met will energize you to return to your writing the next day with anticipation. This builds a pattern of success. Do TODAY something that will bring you even one step closer to your biggie goal.
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Monitor your progress. (I keep a spreadsheet with a daily word count--then record the reason if I don’t achieve my goal for a given day.) When you’ve consistently and successfully met that goal for a reasonable length of time THEN--if you want to--bump up your word count a notch. See if you can write a few more words today than you did yesterday. If it doesn’t work, don’t call yourself demeaning names and crawl off into a closet for a pity party. Merely return to what is achievable for you and be faithful to it.
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7) Did I take the time to consider the obstacles and challenges I’d be facing when I established this goal? Did I build “margin” into my projected timetable to accommodate them? Did I have a back-up plan? I’ve often heard it said that failing to plan is planning to fail. There are only so many hours in a day. Life happens. We can’t see into the future. But we can do some “risk management.” We can anticipate likelihoods and possibilities that may throw up road blocks to achieving our goals and take steps to head them off at the pass before they become an in-your-face reality. Without dwelling on the negative, take a few minutes to evaluate the things you hadn’t prepared for this quarter and possibly could have with a little foresight.
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I’m currently researching a not-too-expensive back-up “mini” computer because my computer fell on its face in a major way TWICE during the writing of my most recent book (SECOND CHANCE COURTSHIP – Steeple Hill Love Inspired – February 2011!). Any "mini" recommendations?
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8) Did I reward myself for meeting a goal? I don't do this as often as I should, but I think it’s healthy. It doesn’t have to cost money to celebrate a milestone. Maybe when you’ve finished that chapter you’ve struggled with for so long you could take fifteen minutes to relax with a cup of tea or hot chocolate. Take a walk around the block. Spend a little time in the garden. Read a magazine article that has nothing to do with writing. Play with the kids. Chat with your spouse without thinking about that next plotline or bit of dialogue.
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It also never hurts to look forward to commemorating the biggie goals. Sort of a dangling carrot. Maybe finishing a book calls for taking the family to dinner or the amusement park. A romantic weekend at a B&B with your spouse. Or maybe even a special treat just for yourself. (I saved pennies, dimes & nickels for years--then when I finished my first book and entered it in the Golden Heart, I rewarded myself with a Navajo-made silver & turquoise ring. It’s a daily reminder that God brought me through a devastating illness to reach a long-dreamed-of goal.)
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9) Did I compare my accomplishments--or lack thereof--to others? Did I allow other people’s achievements to be the yardstick of measuring my own success and sense of self-worth? Okay, let’s be honest. Here we all are in Seekerville, Seekers and Seeker Friends alike, in various stages of the writing journey. A bunch of amazingly talented people coming together to support one another on what could otherwise be a very long and lonely expedition.
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But as members of this community we hear our friends celebrating the completion of a book, winning a major contest, making a sale. (Maybe making THREE sales in one year--Ruthy!!) It’s easy to become dissatisfied with our own “puny” accomplishments. Maybe we managed to write a full page today. Or a whole chapter this week. Or met a contest deadline in spite of overtime at the day job, sick kids, a runaway dog, and a spouse away on a business trip. But in comparison to someone’s chapter a day or three contest wins, the glow of our own achievements dims. Even the thrill of selling “only” one book can become a disappointment that takes away the sparkle of a long-anticipated triumph if we look around at what others are doing.
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It’s important that we not compare our accomplishments and thus devalue where God has placed us on our writing journey. Don’t belittle yourself and your own achievements, no matter how “small” in comparison they may seem. Don’t despise the steps you’re taking to reach your goal. Give it to God, cheer for your friends, and celebrate your own successes.
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Although there’s only one January 1 for 2010, don’t forget that old saying “tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life.” So TODAY give your goals a quarterly checkup, then wake up tomorrow knowing you can start fresh. Renew your commitment. Three-quarters of the year still await!!
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So how’d YOU do this quarter? What are your plans for the next three months? Share your thoughts with us today and, if you also wish to enter the drawing for a copy of Camenson & Cook’s Writer’s Digest book “Give ‘em What They Want: The Right Way to Pitch Your Novel to Editors & Agents,” leave your email address, too. (Use “at” and “dot” so auto-phishers can’t easily pick it up.)
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Always remember: Writers write.
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Glynna

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An ACFW "Genesis" and RWA Faith, Hope & Love "Touched by Love" award winner, GLYNNA KAYE'S 2009 Steeple Hill Love Inspired DREAMING OF HOME will be followed by another story set in the same Arizona mountain community of Canyon Springs. SECOND CHANCE COURTSHIP releases February 2011!