Forty-two
Forty-two.
That’s how many days are left in 2023.
If you didn’t trash your new year’s goals by mid-January,how are you doing?
Are you still batting them around like a cat with a mouse?
If you’ve got some things on your list that still need to be done, the good news is, you’ve got 42 more days to tackle them.
I learned some things over the past 11 months about goals.
I realized that goals over which you have no control absolutely DO NOT belong on your list.
Things like, “get published” (mine) or “be a star” (yours?) rely on too many outside factors.
I also realized that vague goals like, “write more” or “eat better” don’t work.
What exactly is “more”?
What constitutes “better”?
I’m not suggesting you add new goals at this point or even change your original ones.
What I am suggesting is that you give yourself some grace with your unfinished goals.
There’s a reason they’re not finished.
Some of the goals may have been out of your control, some may have been too vague, and some (gasp!) you may not really care about after all.
Is it possible that the unfinished goals are pointing a neon sign to what you truly want to be doing instead?
Here’s another thing I learned: Keep a list of your goals where you can see them.
I can only remember my writing goals because I’ve got them on an index card on my desk.
My other goals are written down and stuffed in my Christmas stocking.
I don’t know what they are.
I’ll only know how I did on that list when I get out my holiday decorations.
And then think about this: Are you able to check off a goal even if it’s not PERFECT?
Does it have to be perfect? (Whisper to yourself, “no.”)
That being said, I did OK with my 2023 writing goals.
I still have some things to do.
And I have 42 days left.
In that time, I can send out more—no wait, not “more” but—five queries for my middle-grade novel.
Five queries for my picture books.
I can write 10 more chapters in my current work-in-progress.
What will you do with your remaining 42 days?
And here’s something I’m pondering: Why isn’t candy corn available in November?
It still works for Thanksgiving.
Also why isn’t there a winter-holiday candy corn?
Blue and white, or red and green?
I feel like Brach’s is missing an opportunity here.
On the flip side, thank goodness candy corn isn’t available after Halloween.
Wishing you and your loved ones peace, love, and joy this Thanksgiving.
~ Gail
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Wow! Where has the year gone? My first impulse is to say that I got nothing done this year, but that’s not true. My goal is always “get published” but as you noted, that’s not within my control. However, I did complete two self-published memoirs, my clients are very happy, and I have those two books on my shelf to commemorate my effort. I also joined a local writer’s group, so I’ll be getting feedback from my peers about my work. That can only help me become better at my craft.
I’ve begun (finally) paying attention to my health and I’m making progress toward wellness. I was officially released from therapy earlier this year, with my therapist noting that I’ve done the work, and I don’t need her anymore. I’ve got the tools now. I’ve continued to do the internal work, ask myself the hard questions, and try to make peace with who I am and where I am on my life’s journey. Currently, I’m grappling with changing friendships and accepting that sometimes the people that I value have their own agendas, and those agendas don’t always include me. I’m trying to hold those relationships with open hands instead of a death grip. And I’ll try to accept the outcome, whatever that may be, with grace.
I continue to put positive vibes out into the world, and heaven knows that type of energy is really needed right now! Our world is on the cusp of great change, but change never comes without struggle, or so it seems. I grieve for every person involved in or affected by war, and I lift them up in my own way. I thank God for the volunteers, humanitarians, and relief workers doing their jobs in the world. That is not my path, so I wish blessings upon them every day as they do the work of saving lives around the globe. My role is to take care of my little flock, making sure they have what they need to survive and thrive. I feel good about that.
In writing this short response to your post, I realize that I’m actually content with where I am and what I’m doing. Sure, I’d love for a publisher or two to beg me for the privilege of publishing my masterwork, but that will happen when the time is right and not before. Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later, but the timing isn’t up to me. I’m going to keep plugging away, and simply trust that everything will unfold as it’s meant to. And, of course, I’ll enjoy my life to the best of my ability, because that is my only true obligation!
Hi Kelly,
You have such a great attitude. Congratulations on your publications, too. I have a feeling you will be successful in the future and are successful now because of that attitude. The right attitude makes such a difference in how a person moves through the world and how the world reacts to that person. I love what you said, too, about being thankful for the volunteers and humanitarians doing their jobs around the globe, and that it isn’t your path. You’re absolutely right–some people are meant for that kind of work, and we can feel good about them without feeling guilty that it isn’t our path. I’m all for taking care of my little flock. Humanity and kindness begins at home. Wishing you all the best in your endeavors. <3