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| Photo from Wookipedia |
Really quickly, I want to post my entry into the second bi-weekly challenge for the Great Star Wars 100 Day Blogathon. The challenge was to write a Star Wars Themed Haiku. Since I am seriously down in points (meaning I have 0) I need to enter, so here it is:
Small, green, ancient, fierce,
Fighter, keeper of secrets,
Wise Jedi he is.
I just couldn't work in Wookies to get extra points.
Goals are Great!
Yesterday was the first day of Robert Lee Brewer's April Platform Challenge. I ran across the challenge on Saturday, through the Writer's Unboxed Facebook group. Since I didn't take part in the A-Z Blog Challenge, and the April Platform Challenge sounded very educational, I decided to give it a go. Besides, if I don't complete a challenge, it's not like anyone but me will know, so it was a very low-stress decision to join in.
Yesterdays challenge was about defining ourselves. Today's challenge was about setting goals. Since I already have my Life List, the short-term goals were easy. I just copied my Life List over to a Word document, and adjusted it a little. I then adjusted my blog page, so if you're curious, click on the page and take a peek.
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| Photo by Ohmmy3d/freedigitalphoto |
Coming up with my long-term goals was not hard, either. What surprised me, though, was that by writing down the goals that I want to achieve beyond the next year, it took my writing career (Mark said I could call it that!) out of the dream category and put it into the attainable category. I could envision a set of tasks I could complete in order to meet those goals.
I know that there are variables out there I can't control, but that's true in any endeavor. At least now I have actionable steps I can take to get ready for the eventuality that the stars align and everything works out the way I want. I'll be ready for success, instead of dreaming about it.
That is the power of goal setting!
Speaking of goals, the Life List Club blog, where "side effects may include laughter and achieving greatness" is set to go live on April 4th, with the first post written by our newest member, Sherry Isaac. I have read Sherry's author page, and her blog, Psychological Sizzle, and I think this first post is going to be something special. I hope you all cyber-run over on the fourth and check it out!
I also wanted to mention two other collaborative blogs of fine bloggers I have met in the last several months. Hugs and Chocolate and Falling for Fiction are both motivational and inspirational in nature, and are worth checking out!
Do you set short and long-term goals? What effect has goal setting had on your motivation and inspiration?
Goals are so important! I have long-range goals and I set daily goals, but I really need to set some mid-range goals so I can see if I'm on track.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm becoming a goal junkie! It feels so nice to cross things off as completed.
DeleteOh, and I loved your haiku - great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I wrote one about Darth Vader that was really bad. The one above was a half-hour brainstorm!
DeleteThe only way I operate is to set short and long term goals both for my day job and for writing. Sometimes I get frustrated that I continue to set the bar higher, but I can't stop myself. It's just something I have to do, and it actually pays off. Sometimes the journey gets rough, but I believe anything worth having in life isn't always easy. I guess that's what makes it so special when we find success. After 21 years of setting goals, I can say I feel it's the only way to go.
ReplyDeleteI have to wonder about writing style and goal setting. Are pantsers less likely to write goals, while plotters are more likely? That might be a nice poll to do some day!
DeleteGoals are great, yes. But if they are too high and rigid, they can lead to too much frustration and, for me, result in seeing the task as a chore. And that I do not want. I love writing and want to keep it that way. If a goal gets revised here and there, so be it.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, E.D. Goals have to be written keeping in mind that they need to be attainable. Also, acceptance does play a huge part in that goal achievement or continued perseverance toward a goal. I may not meet all my goals, but recognizing that it is just the way it is, instead of viewing myself as a failure is key to continuing to work to achieve the goal someday! Revision is my best friend, nothing is set in stone!
DeleteOH man. This has me all emotional. You're always so inspirational and uplifting. I love being able to come to your blog.
ReplyDeleteYour comments always make me feel like my blog is worth something! Thank you so much for enjoying my posts! That's the nicest thing about blogging - none of us are alone in our frustration and uncertainties. I figure if I'm feeling it, probably there are a zillion other writers feeling it too!
DeleteI believe in setting small achievable goals and also the big dream-sized kind. :)
ReplyDeletePersonally, I believe life is no fun without some dreams thrown in there! Hope is such a wonderful feeling.
DeleteGreat haiku, Lara :)
ReplyDeleteI do set both short and long term goals. Sometimes I end up setting goals that are too ambitious and I end up feeling like I let myself down if I don't meet them, but I'm working on doing better with that.
I'm glad you like the haiku! I really like Yoda. Did you know you can get Yoda to tweet you?
DeleteI'm right there with you about the failure thing. But, that's where learning to accept where I'm at, and make peace with the decisions I've made, comes into play. I'm glad you're doing better with it, too!
I didn't know you can get Yoda to tweet you. Would it be something along the lines of @StuffYodaSays?
DeleteIt's @yoda_bot, actually. I'll tweet you and see if I remember how to get him to tweet me, first, so I can remember how to do it. I think you just put the hashtag #Yoda at the end of any message. I'm not sure if you have to follow @yoda_bot or not. It's fun!
DeleteWookies always deserve extra points! But that was a great haiku even without them :) Congrats on the new joint blog--so fun! And thanks for the shout out to Falling For Fiction!!!
ReplyDeleteYou should visit the link to the haiku challenge page - Briane Pagel made a neat haiku about Wookies (indirectly). I'm really enjoying the blogathon - even though I'm losing terribly!
DeleteQuite welcome about the shout out! I love your design, and you guys really are some of the best bloggers I know!
I love the Haiku! I think Yoda would be proud. :) I think setting goals is so important. Thank you for supporting Hugs and Chocolate. I can't wait to check out Falling for Fiction and Life List Club. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Heather! You're welcome regarding Hugs and Chocolate - you have some great, inspirational posts, for sure!
DeleteI have to work hard to set small, quickly achievable goals, that build toward larger, meaningful ones. I know its stupid. But I tend to give up if I look up and see how far I have to go to reach something large.
ReplyDeleteHey! Thanks for following! Little goals are the most helpful to me, too. That is why I was surprised when I wrote down the longterm goals I had in my head that they really pulled the little goals into the big picture. It was an a-ha moment of "That's why I'm doing these things!"
ReplyDeleteI forgot what Wookies were called the other day as Hubby watched Star Wars. I feel so old and forgetful.
ReplyDeleteI'm there with you. I'm worried because I seem to be rewriting my own history, without knowing it. I was talking to my mother today and she had to remind me about what was really wrong with me when I'd had a surgery when I was 19. I shudder to think what I might be like when I'm 70...
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