I realized that I didn’t get a chance to post my 2018 resolutions. I came up with these a couple weeks ago, and here they are, along with a corresponding game plan:
Eat Healthy and exercise 3-5 times a week: I realize that this is so cliche, but I have gotten to a point where I am sick of myself. I am sick of making excuses for not being able to do things. My goal isn’t to lose weight, but to live a healthier version of the life I am already living. My game plan is to abstain from foods that are my weaknesses, and to hold myself accountable to working out by rewarding myself at the end of each month with a new work out outfit.
Read one book a week: I read maybe 12 books last year, which is just horrifying. Part of this was getting into a new relationship, part of it was being busy at work, and honestly, I just got lazy. I’ve already read two books this year(since we are two weeks into the year), and I am enjoying reading again, which is nice. I have also taken a lot of the pressure off. I don’t have to finish books I don’t like, and I don’t have to write a review or blog post for each one. I just have to read.
Paint my nails every weekend: I am a nail biter, and I hate this bad habit. I can’t resolve to stop biting my nails, but I can resolve to paint them once a week, which curbs the biting significantly.
Query my novel: This is the big one. I have been writing the current project I am working on for a year, and finally finished a draft. My goal, each month, is to make it better. So this month, I am focusing on taking notes and filling in gaps where I skimmed over spots. Next month will be a large rewrite based on the notes. I want it to be “ready” for query by August, so that is going to require being strict and working hard.
Run the Gingerbread 5k: I have always wanted to run a 5k, and this one is for my favorite charity. Since I am eating healthy and exercising, and this run is in November, I am hoping to work toward that goal through the year.
Volunteer every week: This is something that makes me happy and lets me give back to the world. I have attacked this by signing up for a shift once a week, and by doing this on a monthly basis.
Blog every Sunday: I love blogging, but I have a hard time sticking to a schedule, what with the job, side projects, and traveling for work. Once a week is manageable, and I hope that sticking to this schedule will go better than all the other times I’ve tried to stick to schedules.
Pitch to other publications at least once a month: I want to grow in my craft, and do more professionally, so which I don’t think a pitch will be accepted every month, maybe pitching consistently every month will increase my chances of getting my voice out there.
Take a class: This is also writing related, but I want to take an online class on writing to try to work on the kinks of my story and polish it into something that shine. I want to do this sometime in March, so I am looking for suggestions.
Notice how all of these are in my control. My goals aren’t “lose 50 pounds,” or “get an agent,” but they are focused on things I can do. Maybe I won’t do either example, but I will have worked on what I can control, ant that is what counts.
What about you: what is your game plan for your new years resolutions? Let me know in a comment below.
-M
Mehek Writes 