Today is September 1, and that can only mean one thing for me. It's time for me to update you on how I did with the goals I set for myself in a recent post.
So here is what I accomplished:
(1) Educate myself every day to refresh my mind and skills. This was the easy part. Unfortunately, I could read books and articles on writing all day long. This is not a bad thing, but when you do too much reading, that means less writing. I didn't get too carried away with this goal though.
(2) Search daily for jobs. I can't honestly say I've stuck with this one. I have been so busy with other things, I have pushed it aside.
(3) Contact former customers and let them know I am writing again. I have contacted almost all of my former customers and this reaped great results!
(4) Blog twice a week. This was way more difficult than I planned it to be. Obviously, I did not meet this goal.
(5)Work on my writing website. This also did not happen.
(6) Acquire at least two paying jobs. I'm so excited to say I made this one happen. I got two long term positions, and landed an article! Yippee!!!
It was difficult for me to reach all of my goals this time. There have been things going on in my personal life that have made it challenging. One of the biggest problems was that I had to share my PC with my daughter who attends school online. Her computer was down for a couple weeks and she had dealines to meet. That was the priority, so my blogging and website goals had to wait.
I've also been busy getting Chloe ready for kindergarten. I can't believe my baby is ready to start school. I am going to miss her so much, as she has been a huge part of my life over the past five years. This is a new page for her and for me, but it's a part of growing up...a part of life, and it's all good.
Other less important, but very rewarding things I have been busy with are the typical baking and kitchen things that consume a great chunk of my day. In fact, I have been busy canning and enjoying the fruits of the harvest season...pickles, peaches, and peppers...and there's still more to come. Canning is a lot of work, but such a treat to feed my family foods prepared by my own two hands. We are so blessed.
So I didn't meet all of my goals, but I did the best that I could, and still ended up with good results. I am so happy to have gotten some work, but plan to continue setting my goals and striving to reach them every month - always remembering to reach a little higher with each new set!
I hope your week has started out as a great one, and that you, too, are setting goals and achieving all that's important in your lives! Have an awesome day!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
New Reading Material
A couple months ago, a very thoughtful lady gave me a $50 gift card to Barnes and Nobles. I was completely flattered by her gesture, but didn't run right out and spend it. It was fun to know that I had it, and could treat myself whenever I was ready.
Last week, I finally went ahead and used my card. I bought the 2010 Writer's Market, and a subscription to Writer's Digest. I thought they would be excellent tools to keep me motivated toward my writing goals. I believe strongly in keeping the fire fueled.
Since, I had a migraine headache on Monday night, I spent most of yesterday on the couch relaxing with my new Writer's Market. It was so much fun! Who would have thought I'd ever be thankful to have had a migraine? Well, crazy at is sounds, I was thankful...it got me a few steps ahead and ready to do some serious writing!
I hope everyone's having a wonderful and productive week!
Last week, I finally went ahead and used my card. I bought the 2010 Writer's Market, and a subscription to Writer's Digest. I thought they would be excellent tools to keep me motivated toward my writing goals. I believe strongly in keeping the fire fueled.
Since, I had a migraine headache on Monday night, I spent most of yesterday on the couch relaxing with my new Writer's Market. It was so much fun! Who would have thought I'd ever be thankful to have had a migraine? Well, crazy at is sounds, I was thankful...it got me a few steps ahead and ready to do some serious writing!
I hope everyone's having a wonderful and productive week!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Setting Goals
Back in March of this year, I began setting goals in my life. The first set was for my Avon business. I've sold for over five years, but never really considered it a business, so naturally I never accomplished anything with it. When I changed my mindset, set a few goals and reached for them, it made all the difference in the world.
The results of goal setting have been amazing—for both my business and personal growth. These accomplished goals have shown me what I am capable of (and this applies to everyone) I can do anything if I set my mind to it!
Since setting goals worked so well with my Avon business, I need to do the same for my writing career. So here we are, right smack dab in the middle of August! There’s plenty of time to set some goals for this month. In order to hold myself more accountable, I am going to list my writing goals right here for all of you to see!
• Educate myself - every day I will spend an hour of my time reading to
improve my craft. After a long break, I know I need to refresh my mind and
sharpen my skills.
• Search daily for jobs
• Contact former clients to let them know I am writing again (Thanks for this
one, Kathy!).
• Blog twice a week
• Work on writing website daily
• Acquire two paying jobs
So there we are. Now I have some goals to work toward. I will give you an update in September to let you know how I did! Wish me luck!
Have a blessed day!
The results of goal setting have been amazing—for both my business and personal growth. These accomplished goals have shown me what I am capable of (and this applies to everyone) I can do anything if I set my mind to it!
Since setting goals worked so well with my Avon business, I need to do the same for my writing career. So here we are, right smack dab in the middle of August! There’s plenty of time to set some goals for this month. In order to hold myself more accountable, I am going to list my writing goals right here for all of you to see!
• Educate myself - every day I will spend an hour of my time reading to
improve my craft. After a long break, I know I need to refresh my mind and
sharpen my skills.
• Search daily for jobs
• Contact former clients to let them know I am writing again (Thanks for this
one, Kathy!).
• Blog twice a week
• Work on writing website daily
• Acquire two paying jobs
So there we are. Now I have some goals to work toward. I will give you an update in September to let you know how I did! Wish me luck!
Have a blessed day!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
New Beginnings!
This summer I watched my husband, Nick, use all the strength he had to accomplish something that many people, including myself, could never even fathom. At the last minute, his uncle asked him to go down to VA and participate in an adventure run. The run included mountain biking, canoeing, and running for over 24 hours. It was the most grueling race he had ever participated in.
Nick, who is an avid biker and runner, was not adequately trained for a race of this nature, and never realized how difficult it would be. In the beginning he wanted to quit more than anything else in the world, but he refused to let his team down. Instead, he readjusted his attitude and did the best he could. It took their team about 26 hours to complete the race.
I didn’t go to VA with him. I stayed home and literally prayed the entire weekend he was gone. I worried about his physical safety…mountain biking, canoeing, mixed in with rain and thunderstorms can be dangerous. But after it was all over, I was able to sit back and reflect on what he had really accomplished…his body was more than capable of doing what he did, but most impressive to me was that he overcame the biggest mental mountain in his life!
It made me wonder what kind of stuff I am made of. Introspective questions began surfacing in my mind. For example, how would I cope if tragedy struck my life, or am I capable of actually setting realistic goals and really sticking with them?
Inspired by my husband, I decided that though I am physically capable, I need to do some inner strength training! I have challenged myself to try and overcome some of the mental challenges in my life in order to be a more successful individual. I have two main goals for my life right now. I will do something physically good for my body every day, because for me that’s a mental thing. My body can easily run three to five miles a day, or do Pilates, or ride a bike. It’s my brain that tells me not to!
My other goal is to really focus on my writing career again. It’s a challenge for me, not because of overcoming mental stuff, but because I have to learn how to balance my life better. A 14-year-old, a five-year-old, and a toddler can really take a toll on one’s ability to organize and structure life. But it’s not impossible. In fact, moms and dads all over have found great success with their freelancing careers. It’s all about how much they want it, and what they are willing to do to accomplish it.
I suppose this is about self-esteem in a sense. Not that mine is unhealthy, but isn’t it great to know what you’re made of? Nick does. What he did amazes me! I will probably never participate in a race like that, but it’s the daily race of life that we all participate in! Shouldn’t we strive to be the best we can be?
Nick, who is an avid biker and runner, was not adequately trained for a race of this nature, and never realized how difficult it would be. In the beginning he wanted to quit more than anything else in the world, but he refused to let his team down. Instead, he readjusted his attitude and did the best he could. It took their team about 26 hours to complete the race.
I didn’t go to VA with him. I stayed home and literally prayed the entire weekend he was gone. I worried about his physical safety…mountain biking, canoeing, mixed in with rain and thunderstorms can be dangerous. But after it was all over, I was able to sit back and reflect on what he had really accomplished…his body was more than capable of doing what he did, but most impressive to me was that he overcame the biggest mental mountain in his life!
It made me wonder what kind of stuff I am made of. Introspective questions began surfacing in my mind. For example, how would I cope if tragedy struck my life, or am I capable of actually setting realistic goals and really sticking with them?
Inspired by my husband, I decided that though I am physically capable, I need to do some inner strength training! I have challenged myself to try and overcome some of the mental challenges in my life in order to be a more successful individual. I have two main goals for my life right now. I will do something physically good for my body every day, because for me that’s a mental thing. My body can easily run three to five miles a day, or do Pilates, or ride a bike. It’s my brain that tells me not to!
My other goal is to really focus on my writing career again. It’s a challenge for me, not because of overcoming mental stuff, but because I have to learn how to balance my life better. A 14-year-old, a five-year-old, and a toddler can really take a toll on one’s ability to organize and structure life. But it’s not impossible. In fact, moms and dads all over have found great success with their freelancing careers. It’s all about how much they want it, and what they are willing to do to accomplish it.
I suppose this is about self-esteem in a sense. Not that mine is unhealthy, but isn’t it great to know what you’re made of? Nick does. What he did amazes me! I will probably never participate in a race like that, but it’s the daily race of life that we all participate in! Shouldn’t we strive to be the best we can be?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)