Originally posted on January 3, 2010 at 5:45 PM
Happy New Year!
I’m a big believer in resolutions. I don’t think there’s anything magical or sacred about the New Year; I think it’s a reminder. An annual reminder that goals are an important part of life. For me, it’s a chance to take the time to step back, examine my progress, and decide where I want to go from there. All year long I’m conscious of what I want; often, I don’t follow through and promise myself to do it until New Year’s Eve.
This year, my main resolution is pretty obvious: I want to be published. Technically, my goal for myself is to be under contract or published in at least one way. Poetry, short story, novel, whatever. Published or on the way there. It’s happening. This year. I can feel it.
I think the trick to setting successful New Year’s resolutions is to make them long-term goals. I could tell myself that I’m going to sit down and write for an hour a day every day no matter what, but the chances are pretty good that I would mess that up within a short period of time and consider my resolution blown for the whole year. Then where’s the motivation to try to keep it up? If my resolution is the ultimate goal, that leaves me room for error. I can have little blips and still succeed, making me less likely to give up.
The hubby’s resolution? He wants to be able to run a marathon by the end of the year. He’s following along my same principal: promising himself that he’ll work out every day or whatever won’t last, but training for the ultimate goal should get him healthy and in shape, just like he wants. Pretty smart, huh?
So what’s your resolution? It’s not too late to make one for 2010. I think it’s a year of change and stability, two seemingly conflicting ideas that fit together quite nicely. Just don’t forget… think long-term and make it achievable. Here are some great quotations about risk, resolution, and success to inspire you:
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.”
–T. S. Eliot
“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to success is more important than any other one thing.”
–Abraham Lincoln
But my favorite one, that is now on my office window with my resolution, is this:
“We will either find a way or make one.”
–Hannibal
I resolve to be under contract or published by 2011.
I will either find a way or make one.
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