Move Forward With SMART Goals for 2021

By Suzy Leopold

    With a new beginning many review and reflect on the 2020 year and then move forward into 2021 by making personal and/or career resolutions.

    Did you make resolutions or did you set goals as a new year was ushered in?

    Resolutions can be defined as a promise or a wish to do better. Most often resolutions are made with good intentions, purpose, and determination. However, by February many resolutions are left behind. They become abandoned resolutions.

    Most often goals include tangible objectives and plans for what one intends to accomplish all through determination. Goal setting provides direction to achieve desired outcomes. 

    To be more precise—set SMART goals.

    What are SMART Goals?

    Setting SMART Goals is a concept to achieve results.

    To achieve a successful end result with creativity on your side, consider establishing SMART Goals. 

    They are tangible, specific goals that are measured, possible, and achievable. They are relevant goals to match your needs in a timely fashion.

    Begin by identifying three or four goals. Make sure they meet the elements of a SMART goal. Are they concrete and specific? Can you quantify and measure them? Can you achieve them realistically? Are the goals relevant to your ultimate goal? Adjust as need be to make the dreams and desires come true. Set the bar higher if you discover the SMART goals you set are not challenging you. Fine tune and recalibrate goals if they are not practical. Consider long-term and short-term goals.

    Examine these SMART Goal examples and non examples.

Can you identify which ones will achieve the best results for success? 

An estimated 188.9 million American adults are determine to better themselves in 2021 by:

• Learning something new 
• Making lifestyle changes
• Setting goals

Another interesting fact: 

• 71 % of Americans are feeling hopeful in 2021.

For additional information:

Ready or Not. It’s Time to Show Up

What Good Writers Do

Writing Goals: 2021

    If you made resolutions or goals for the new year, you may want reconsider. It’s not too late to consider SMART Goals to achieve successful results. SMART Goals can be written as personal or professional goals anytime. Take these ideas and make them your own. SMART Goals are unique to each individual. 

    Celebrate your success along the way as you continue to move forward through the year.

    May you find insight and inspiration for your writing and/or illustrating journey by setting SMART Goals. May your promises to achieve with purpose equal success in 2021.

    Every new year is a time for renewal and a new beginning. Start 2021 off right by reading, writing, and creating with established SMART Goals.

 “You are the key to achieving your goals.

No one else is going to do it for you.

Go find your star and make it shine.”

~Mike Ciccotello, author and illustrator

5 Tips to Stay Motivated in 2016

by Leslie Colin Tribble

It's a brand new month in a brand new year! Are you a resolution setter? Do you set lofty goals for the year? How well do you keep those grand goals and resolutions?

Janie Reinart had a great post on Focus to start the GROG off for 2016. Now it's time to talk about motivation to help you achieve that Focus. I did a little Internet research and found some fun tips to help you stay motivated for the year.

1. Set Small Goals

I know you want to get those books published this year, but that's a huge goal that might be overwhelming. Give yourself something to work for that's more manageable, like setting yourself to write a certain number of words each day. Instead of saying, "I'll write for 2 hours a day," shoot instead for an exact word count. That way, you might write for only 20 minutes if the words are flowing and you've achieved your goal, instead of staring at the computer waiting for inspiration for 2 long and dreary hours.

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2. Publicize your Efforts

I read that some people resort to Twitter to stay motivated by tweeting their desired word count for the day, then tweeting again when the goal is accomplished. This is accountability married to instant gratification. You can't let your followers down, plus it's great to get those virtual pats on the back as reward.

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3. Monetary Motivation

This crazy idea says to give someone you trust $100 and they pay you $10 for every day you meet your writing goals.This would work especially well if you really need that money, say around Christmas.

4.Give Yourself Better Rewards

Bad habits are more compelling simply because the rewards feel greater. How much more satisfying is it to munch a bunch of chips or eat ice cream than it is to feast on carrot sticks? In order to keep you on task, you'll need a stronger motivator. It can be small, but the best motivators are something you can touch and that are intensely personal. Do you love wine? Buy a few bottles of your very favorite and enjoy a glass after reaching your goal. How about expensive, exquisite chocolate? Or maybe you love the sun and can reward yourself with uninterrupted sunbathing. For this to work the reward has to be something you can do immediately after finishing your work - train your mind to associate the work and the reward. 

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5. Break Up the Effort

Something I've discovered that works for me is breaking up a big chunk of writing time with other activities. If I know I have to crank out a certain number of words, or articles or whatever, I give myself "butt out of chair" breaks. I'll work for one or two hours, then do something else for an hour that's active or movement oriented. That way I can vacuum the house, play with the dogs, bring in firewood, or go for a quick walk. The activity keeps me awake and reduces the feeling that I'm spreading physically while I'm spreading my writing wings. 

How do you stay motivated with your goals and resolutions for a new year?

A WRITER’S RESOLUTION ~ Jackie Wellington

In less than 24 hours, it will be a new year. Time to render resolutions, set goals, and establish work habits. And writers are not exempt. So what are the writer’s resolution? Lose weight? Maybe! Get out of debt? Definitely! Write more? ABSOLUTELY!!! Here are three things EVERY writer should put on their resolution list for 2015.

1.    Schedule Writing Time.

A Writer Writes! Point! Blank! Period!!! So schedule time to write. We have busy lives, but we cannot consider ourselves writers if we do not write. If you need help, check out writing challenges such as 365K, Writer’s Digest 30-Minute Writing Challenge, and P&W Writer’s Challenge.

2. Find An Agent.

Research agents. Follow them on Twitter. Read their blogs. Find out who their clients are and read their books. Then query! Query! Query! Do not be afraid of rejections. Rejection is a good thing to writers. Think about it. Normally, you might end up with a rejection which is not a form letter. It might be the one which gives a list of ways to make the manuscript better. See, a critique you didn’t have to pay for. These agencies are looking for new clients - Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Erin Murphy Literary Agency, and Writer’s Digest Guide to Lit. Agencies.

3. Read books in the genre in which you write.

To be great writers, we have to be great readers. If you write picture books, read picture books. If you write Middle Grade, read Middle Grade. If you write Young Adult, read Young Adult. Read! Read! Read! 

Now, set up your write station. Gather your supplies. And prepare to write and make history in 2015. Also, here is a bonus poem. Something for you to ponder. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Happy New Year

Well, I woke up this morning

to a beautiful day

2014 is slipping away

2015 is here to stay

Time to make new wishes,

Cause that's what they are

The word "resolution"

is outdated by far

It's outdated to me

‘Cause we seldom follow through

Pledging to eat healthy,

lose weight,

just to name a few

But what makes "resolution"

the word not to use

“Cause it means "perseverance" and quitting is what we choose

January and February,

our resolution is kick in gear

March, April, May

quitting is getting near

June comes around,

no more gym to see

July, it's official,

resolution is decease

But what if we approach

the new year differently

Instead of "resolution",

"New Years Wish" is the key

We can wish to be thinner,

healthier, and mature

Wish to get out of debt,

and be financially secure

‘Cause if we make a wish

We hope it will come true

But in case it doesn't happen,

our self-esteem we wouldn't lose

And then we won't feel like a failure,

when our attempts didn't succeed

So death to you "resolution",

"New Years Wish" is what we need