Between the holidays, career issues and a number of personal issues and challenges, I have been largely off the grid.
Things have now stabilized somewhat. I originally planned to finish the first draft of my novel prior to the holidays, but that goal was completely de-railed.
However, this past weekend, I got back to writing my novel with renewed interest and was able to write over 5,000 words. The first 1,000 words took longer to write than the last 4,000 words did. Once I got some momentum, it was easy to keep going.
The main thing that got me started was an article written by Jon Morrow. It smacked me upside the head with common sense and clarity. Jon is 25 and runs a couple of successful businesses. Jon has also been in a wheelchair for most of his life with Spinal Muscular Atrophy – a degenerative muscular disease that is fatal.
The article Jon wrote was in part about making resolutions. This is the section that really spoke to me [edited for content]:
I only have one resolution for 2008: Action.
You can set all the right goals, have all the right intentions, and know all the right stuff, but if you don’t act, none of it means anything. I learned that when I was a teenager, and it’s the only resolution I’ve made ever since.
If you want to achieve your goals, I think you should make it your only resolution too. Most people spend their entire lives intending to [do all sorts of things] but never make it, and it’s almost always because they never actually do anything.
So take action.
First, forget about planning for 2008. A year is too long of a timeline. I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time remembering what I’m supposed to be doing for 15 minutes, much less an entire year.
Second, focus on today. Figure out just one thing you can do today to move yourself closer to a goal you’ve always wanted. Then do it.
Third, pick one thing the next day, and the next day, and the next day, until you wake up six months from now and realize you’ve already achieved all of your goals for 2008, and you have to set new ones.
I have adapted this principle for myself. Choose one or two things from my list every day and take action toward its completion. No pretension – it’s simple and to the point.
As an example my action goals for today are:
1. Research current job offerings and send out at least one resume specific to my skills and experience.
2. Write at least 1,667 words toward the completion of my novel’s first draft.
So what Action are You going to take today to reach your ultimate goal?
