Monday, September 2, 2013

2000 Words

I'm back from my writing hibernation, I really am this time, and I've decided to make it a goal to set a goal.

A writing goal.

Yes, I am one of those people who makes a list for their lists.

But I digress.


First, I figured I should have a goal of setting a goal. Apparently, using my "free time" to write isn't working for me, as I haven't written a lick in months. Apparently, "free time" doesn't visit my house very often--however, my 40-hour-a-week job, homework for two college courses, cooking three meals a day, mopping up spilled cereal milk, sweeping up crumbled gold fish crackers, and taxiing three children to school, basketball, dance, and a job makes a daily appearance.

I need to set a goal to write.

In the beginning, I thought writing 2000 words-a-day was a realistic goal. Really? Going from zero words-a-day to 2000 is realistic? I tried it one day, made it to 1000 words after sitting in front of my computer for hours, and realized I'd never be able to put off everything like that--day after day.

I need a  realistic goal.

1000 words-a-day wasn't a terrible goal. I actually made it to 1000 words pretty quickly, it was the next 1000 that tripped me up. Maybe I really could achieve 1000 words? Maybe that was a realistic goal, after all?

So, I reassessed my goal.

I tried it again. This time with the goal of 1000 words for the day. And guess what? I did it. I wrote 1000 words that day.

Hooray!

Now, I have a goal to write 1000 words each day. Will I beat myself up if I don't achieve that goal? Probably. But once I do, I will reassess my goal once more, and set a new one. I just need to have a goal of setting a goal. If I do that, I will always write. Even if my goal is only ten words-a-day.

Do you set goals for writing? How do you decide what that goal should be? Does it ever change or do you stand firm? Feel free to share so we can learn from each other!




6 comments:

  1. I love setting goals. It feels great when you surpass them. :) Good luck!

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    1. Thanks, Kelly.

      That's a great thought...not just setting and meeting your goals, but surpassing them!!

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  2. I can relate to the busy schedule. I've been there...still there. It is so important to set goals when you have so many competing responsibilities. Good luck with accomplishing your goal.

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    1. Thanks, Dawn.

      It's nice to know others are in the same boat--we're not alone! And, I agree, we have to set goals to accomplish the things we WANT to do or the things we HAVE to do get in the way! :)

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  3. Goals are good incentive to write. And it does make a person feel great when she achieves her goals and more. I don't set word count, usually set a time limit. I obsess over numbers too much. Whatever works.

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  4. Beverly-

    Thanks for your comments! I agree, I do feel great when I can check something off the list as accomplished.

    I've come across many others who say they set time limit goals for writing instead of word count goals. For me, I can't set just a time to write because I spend WAY too much time thinking and staring off and jotting down ideas when I sit in front of my computer to write. I must have a word count goal or else I'd never write anything in time! But, that's just me!!

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