Resolution - 2016

RESOLUTION

Say it again, it's fun.

Okay, so I'm a few days behind for New Year's Resolutions.

By the way I love the word resolutions. It's kind of fun to say, resolution. I also love the meanings of words so I thought I'd share googles definition:
res·o·lu·tion

ˌrezəˈlo͞oSH(ə)n/

noun

plural noun: resolutions

1. 1.

   a firm decision to do or not to do something.

   "she kept her resolution not to see Anne any more"

   synonyms:

   intention, resolve, decision, intent, aim, plan; More
2. 2.

   the action of solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter.

   "the peaceful resolution of all disputes"

   synonyms:

   solution to, answer to, end to, ending to, settlement of, conclusion to A" satisfactory solution of the problem"

I started my list the last week of December. This would surely give me enough time to whip up some love-erly (yeah, I made up that word) goals. I blinked at the white screen on my computer trying to formulate the perfect list. The list that will make me a better person. I stared a long, long time. Visions of a tranquil forest wafted into my mind. I sat on a mossy rock, my feet skimmed the surface of a bubbling creek. The smell of pure oxygen filled my lungs. A bluebird alighted on a twisted branch. The bird spread out its wings and there, tattooed on the feathers, my resolutions. I just need to get closer to see them. With silent steps I hoped over stone and root. I held my breath. I  squinted; I could almost make out the words.

Then a sound pierced the scene and the dream collapsed. I cringed hoping I actually didn't hear what I knew to be the most dreaded sound on the planet...

A cat throwing up.

Yeah, so much for a perfect list.

We've all been there, trying to find the right key to unlock our hidden potential. Let's face it, it comes down to actual work, nothing magical about that... or is it? I, after all, do live in my own little fantasy land. If I didn't, I wouldn't be a writer.

So with tongue firmly protruding out of my mouth I go to work, after cleaning up the cat throw-up of course.

I broke my resolutions into three parts - Personal, Family, and Writing

And since I think being accountable sharpens iron, I'm sharing mine with you!

Personal-

• Start my day off with prayer and Bible reading.
• Pray specifically.
• Start eating right. (Lose a few pounds. This time I mean it!!)
• Memorize one bible verse a week.
• Plan my week out every Sunday.
• Read 24 books.
• Find one thing to be grateful for daily and write it on my calendar.
• Praise God for his goodness every single day.

Family- 

• Teach my daughter to sew
• Date night with the hubs every two weeks
• Help my son find a small group he could fit into.
• Turn off the TV/put down the phone and play games.
• Pray that our oldest daughter would find a job after graduating from college.
• Edify each member (stop the nagging)!!
• Think before I speak - my opinion isn't always necessary (bawhahah this one made me laugh).

Writing- 

• Finish first draft of the In-Between by February 1^st.
• Finish second draft by February 14^th.
• Finish editing by end of February.
• One blog post a week.
• Write new book by November (including drafts and edits).
• Don't compare myself to others, keep your head down and do the work.
• Attend a Writing Convention/Conference.
• Become an Intern with an Agent (I think I may have this one... soon!)
• Learn more and more about my craft. (To be stagnate is to die.)

 But I didn't stop there.

Each of those goals is broken down further - either assigning a set in stone date (using my radio voice for that one) or a week by week plan on how I'm to achieve that!  

For this week, I have a bible verse, a book, a journal/calendar to write my praises/prayer requests in, and a menu.

So what are your resolutions? Plans? Goals? Share away, so we can cheer each other on!!

How do you fit your writing into your life?

How do you fit in your writing?

Come on we are all busy, let's face it, we over schedule and then we like to use our being busy as an excuse to do things that are really important.  I know I have been guilty of just such a thing.  Seriously, even me.

I remember a friend and I were talking about how we are so busy and this other woman, with seven kids mind you, seemed to be able to do so much. I mean, how on earth could she possibly fit it all in?  We  finally figured out how she did it. ---- She didn't have a TV. Well, duh I could conquer the world if I didn't have a TV.

We both decided that we were not going that far. No Way. I mean TV is important for my brain function, right.  So we scrapped that idea and I decided I would come up with a different plan. Then it hit me.  A little word, simple really and all my problems were solved. You know what that word is already. NO.

The world did not come to an end, my kids lives went on. The sun shone brightly in my life. Angels sang. Okay, not all that but it did improve.
But I still need to carve out time for my writing so I set to work. Below is what I did. It might not work for you, but for me it is golden.

1. Moved my office into my closet, (yeah, I have a big walk-in closet, and while I don't have any windows) I am off the beaten path, I can't hear hardly anything, not even my kids yelling for me to find something.
2. Turn off social media when you are working. (Like Kryptonite twitter zaps my time) Twitter and Facebook are great ways to stay in touch, just turn them off when you are writing.
3. Don't answer your phone, let your voice mail get it. Seriously, does anyone call any more, just text me. Please!
4. Don't answer your door, of course, if they are carrying a big check then fine answer it.
5. Set up a writing schedule, then I stick to it. (It doesn't always happen but there is at least a plan)
6. Lastly ---- Write. Just let it flow, let it flow. Oh wait, that's a Disney song. 
   

What works for you? Do you have any tips then please share!