Last year, I did a blog about it. So I thought I'd do a blog about it this year too.
Last year I shot for the stars.
But that doesn't quite work for me.
My brain has this tendency to resist me.
So this year I'm being realistic. With my public (see below) and private goals.
Build a writing routine
Last year saw me write more than ever, but it also saw me stalling between books. Whether due to edits, brain (see above) or due to circumstances.
The thing is, I know I can do better, and in order to achieve some of my private new goals, I have to build a routine.
As a full time author, I have to write regularly and keep myself accountable. So this will be my biggest challenge. Me and routine? Not best pals, unfortunately.
But I'm putting accountability partners and parameters to achieve that. More on the parameters below.
Write 8 books
Last year, my goal was to write 12 books.
I failed at that. Because I lacked a writing routine.
Instead, I wrote 8-9 books, which was still a fantastic achievement.
So this year I'm shooting for the same volume, with the expectation and hope that I will surpass it.
And if I don't, I'll still have achieved a great deal.
In order to keep me accountable on this goal, and to help me with the routine goal, I will be putting up for pre-order the first 6 books I will be publishing this year.
It's a big ask, and I'm somewhat terrified of doing it.
But if I keep up my current momentum and stay ahead of the course it's doable.
More on those pre-orders later this month.
Read 50 books
I've never really set myself a reading goal before. I've just always read books.
Except for last year when my total reading has been quite saddening.
I found myself working a lot and zoning out in front of the TV a lot.
And that's something I want to change, if I'm to ever give some relief to my ever-growing TBR pile.
So I'm setting myself a goal of reading 50 books this year.
That's a book almost every week.
I'm hoping I can surpass it, but a modest 50 should do it.
I know a lot of you set much bigger goals, but I'm a slow reader, and I've come to accept that this year.
This goal is also purely for entertainment purposes. I can't count craft and non-fiction books in this. Because then I'd be working and that's not the point.
The point is to...
Learn to take days off
To this very day, I don't plan my days off. They just happen.
I might have big plans for a day, and I only achieve a quarter before I decide to take a day off.
Or if I wake up tired and spent the rest of the day moping on my couch I feel guilty for wasting a perfectly good day.
Bear with me on this one.
For years, writing has been my escape. My hobby, my friend, my dream.
So whenever I'd be off work, I'd be writing.
Well, now that writing is my actual job (let me take a moment here to pinch myself) I have to learn to take days off. Take joy in other things. Find hobbies that don't involve making money.
One of those things I really enjoy, is playing games. But I haven't played a game since September.
Why?
Because deadlines. Because I don't take days off. And when I do, I spend them beating myself over not doing more.
So this year I'll be teaching myself that it's okay to take days off.
Because I want to game.
I want to learn how to draw better.
I want to pick up new skills, whatever they may be.
I want to do things for fun (like TikTok).
I want to not burn out.
Maintain my weight
Well, here's something I never thought I'd write. Or set as a goal.
For as long as I remember myself, I've wanted to be bigger. I was always skinny. Always petite. And I didn't like it.
But I resolved I'd never weigh more because that's how my body is. My metabolism or whatever. And my health condition doesn't make it easy either.
And then...
Lockdown happened.
And I put 10kg on.
TEN. KILOS.
That's 22 pounds for you American folks. And 1.5 stones for UK folks.
Don't get me wrong. I think I look better now than I did before.
But I'm starting to realize it's a slippery slope. And if I keep my current habits, I'll be way too overweight before I know it.
Both my parents have always struggled with their weight.
I don't know if it's reaching the big 3-0 or if this work-from-home business was always going to do it for me, but I need to start being careful.
I wanted to do that by going to the gym, but it's closed now. Of course.
I might start taking long walks, and dictating (but it's cold, so I don't know if I will. Lol)
In any case, it's something I'm going to be mindful of this year.
__________
Phew, that was a lot.
What about you? Any goals/resolutions for the new year?
My advice is to always go for things you want to keep the same, or be mindful of, rather than drastic changes. Those never work. That's why February is such a depressing month, after the New Year, New Me craze.