It’s New Year’s Eve.
Yes, I’m at home. The fire is going in the woodstove. I have a book ready to read. A part of me is really in the mood to watch TITANIC and I have no idea why.
In the next week everyone will be posting and tweeting about 2012 and their goals. And I’m sure there will be a flurry of posts about how to reach those goals. But it doesn’t matter about the planning – it’s about drive. If you really want to lose weight, you will. If you really want to write 3K words a day, you will. If you really want to learn to ride a unicycle, well, I wish you the best of luck!
I never write down my goals. They’re in my head. I know what I want to do. Every week I re-evaluate where I am and what I need to do differently. I’m just not a big New Year’s resolution kind of gal.
Lots of things will change for me this year. I started with a new avatar – a much needed new avatar. A new design on my blog will be coming – a much needed new design. My writing will take new directions.
The stars are calling me as I strap on my moonboots in preparation for the coming year.
But one thought weighs on my mind. This one thought is like my new mantra and I find myself saying it to people often.
Don’t hurry.
Don’t hurry the writing process or the publishing process whichever route you take. It’s better to do something excellent than just do it. Sure, obstacles slow us down but that’s okay.
Take your time.
Do it right. Do it excellent.
Bake some cookies. Play Monopoly with your kids.
Write and edit a story.
Just don’t put so much pressure on yourself that you hurry.
Here’s to an excellent year!
Some darn good insight, Laura! Thanks and Happy New Year!
Hee hee, I guess I’m not the only writer doing business on New Year’s Eve. I was writing this post for Monday and then realized it was much more suitable for tonight. And there might be other writer’s out there thinking about the same things! Thanks everyone! It’s good to be back after a 2 week break.
Great advice, Laura. I’m not much for resolutions, either. I just form a plan in my head and go for it. Sure, I make lists, but one thing I’ve found in the indie publishing world is that things take much longer than planned and there is so much that’s out of our control.
Excellent post. I love it.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Laura! Some great thoughts for starting 2012.
Love the moonboots! And you’re right. So often I hear people say, “if I could only find the time.” You don’t FIND time; you MAKE time–if it’s really important to you.
Happy New Year, Laura.
Do not hurry the day, for tomorrow does not exist, except in the minds of those who worry.
This moment is ours to keep, however long we wish. When we let go, it drifts forever in worlds beyond.
If we take time to know “now” we shall also know eternity.
Thanks for the reminder…
That’s awesome, Dean. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent mantra! Very good to remember – we lose more time in hurrying than we ever gain. And more than time, we lose the experience, and the joys of living. I know I need to remember that, as I spent much of 2011 feeling pressured to get a move on with things, since I am approaching a time in my life where I expected to have many more goals met than I do. Never mind the accomplishments and joys that have happened that were never on my life list!
But yes – rushing through anything is no way to live. I did manage to learn that this year. 2012 is all about savoring the experience!
You’re right – there’s no rush. And if we really want to do something, we will.
I’m sure that some people need their goals broken down day by day, even if they have the drive. And I do have my day and weekly goals – they’re just in my head, part of my day to day thinking. Even the ‘I need to organize the pantry’, though that is the goal most likely pushed to the back. 🙂 But I do understand people writing down goals from year to year so they can look back and see what they’ve accomplished. The posts I love reading are the year in review posts, showing which goals they’ve met or haven’t met. And often times big goals weren’t met but for very good reasons!
Happy New Year Laura! 🙂
I’m like you, I have 2012 goals but I never writ them down, I do tell people (sometimes).
I love what you said about not hurrying. I think this is what gets us writers in trouble sometimes.
Hope you have a great 2012 (I know you will).
Happy New Year Laura! 🙂
I’m like you, I have 2012 goals but I never write them down, I do tell people (sometimes).
I love what you said about not hurrying. I think this is what gets us writers in trouble.
Hope you have a great 2012 (I know you will).
I like your style. My goals float above my head like a thought bubble. I agree we miss looking sideways and seeing something wonderful when we barrel ahead too quickly. Thanks for the reminder.
Laura, you are still my hero. This is SUCH great advice. I’m a results-driven person. Nothing gives me a charge like finishing a project. Which is why my novel endings usually need so much revision.
“Don’t hurry the writing process or the publishing process whichever route you take. It’s better to do something excellent than just do it.”
I’m posting this above my computer. You’re now sharing company with Angela and Jesus.
I’m sure you get that all the time…
Becca @ The Bookshelf Muse
Great post! And happy new year! Love the new photo!! You have a great smile, Laura!
Love the new avatar!! 🙂
I’m the same with goals – I never write them down. I just do the best I can with the time I have 🙂
Best advice ever. Being in a hurry never works in all areas of your life. Great photo.
I find if I write down my goals they “cement” better in my head. I don’t do resolutions either because, for me, they’re bound for failure. I just have goals for my family to eat healthier this year, to stretch my writing (as in trying my hand at a fantasy MG novel), and to keep subbing for an agent or decide to do otherwise, we’ll see.
I love your new photo! I agree with you. There can be so much pressure to do things quickly but it’s more important to do things right. Taking your time to write and revise a book is the right thing. Happy New Year!
Thank you so much, everyone! 🙂 *smiles*
Excellent advice (says the slow writer!) 🙂
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
::big breath::
I need to hold this in my soul this year.
Don’t hurry.