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Writer's Resolutions

Journey

To me, a resolution is much like a goal. It is something I have set for myself to do. The New Year is here; many of us set resolutions in hopes of changing behaviors, completing tasks. I have found that very few ever keep them. Why is that? Many are unattainable. For example: I recently saw a resolution someone made that said, "I will write more." This is all well and good but how are they going to achieve this goal? Such blanket resolutions are hard to keep because they need to be clarified.

Writing down your resolutions and placing them in prominent places is always a good idea. It will help you to remember them, but what will help you to keep them?

Knowing what tools you have to achieve these goals is important. Tools can be any number of things: your favorite pen, a special type of legal paper and/or a certain space in the house. Honesty and time management are also important tools. You need to manage your time, plan for those "unexplainable" situations adding in a setback "forgiveness" factor. What you may want to accomplish isn’t necessarily realistic in the face of illness, familial obligations and work schedules. Without the built-in "forgiveness" factor, you will grow quickly discouraged. You must be honest and reasonable when setting your resolutions!

Use a calendar to help you mark your progress. You can note where your setback occurred and where your most progress was made. This will help you in re-evaluating your goals. I personally recommend you re-evaluate your goals each time you don’t meet one. Find out why and reset it with the modifications. If you find yourself within a slump, you may want to change the place where you write, or the color of your pen or move to the computer, anything to get you back on track. When I seem to get into a slump, I move from the den to poolside. This change of scenery: fresh air, squirrels and the garden help to put me back on track. If your writing rhythm goes askew, do anything that has to do with writing. Leave the novel; write a short story. Leave the short story; write a poem. Read.

I believe in the milestone system with rewards. Not everyone subscribes to this mode of thought. Long-term goals can be broken into a series of short-term goals. When you have reached one of the short-term goals (a milestone) reward yourself for a job well done! Buy a new book or watch a movie instead of writing for one day. Maybe have a bagel with your breakfast. If you don’t make your short-term goal but have worked diligently despite outside interferences, have a few consolation items around. Keep yourself focused!

Let’s look again at the resolution "I will write more." It’s ambiguous at best. Is it plausible? Yes, with smaller more defined goals. Remember to set your resolutions realistically. That is the essential key to keeping them.

I wish you all a very Happy New Year.