If today I got in my car and faced southwest in the direction of California from my house and starting driving, I’d likely never reach California.
Yeah, I know the general direction I’m going, but without a map of roads and pit stops, I would get lost or run out of gas.
I started out with good intentions and then ended up at a wayside rest for the remainder of my vacation.
Writing resolutions is much the same way. We have a target word, or destination, but if we haven’t created a map and refueling plan we won’t reach our goals.
Yesterday you picked a word and categories for that word to appear in your life. Today you create a plan.
Writing Your Resolution Plan:
*Identify 5 actions that show the word for the year, one for each category.
For example:
Word- Balance
Categories- Faith (action: Daily Devotion and Worship)
Family (action: Individualized time with each person)
Health (action: Drink 8 glasses of water a day)
Career (action: Start a Newsletter / Write Every day)
You may want to write more than one for each category, but remember that your goal is to begin to see some of these actions in your life. The goal isn’t to do all of them in one day, but to begin setting habits that are life changing.
*Identify symptoms for success in each category. This step answers the question of how you will know you are beginning to grow and show improvement in this area of your life.
For example:
Word- Balance
Categories: Faith (symptom – more peace and direction with decisions)
Family (symptom – more joy and closer relationships)
Health (symptom – more energy/ feel healthier)
Career (symptom- less stress with deadlines)
*Plan pit stops on your calendar. Every now and then plan a day to refuel. Be purposeful and plan ahead.
*Plan a day to review. Whether you choose to review your goal weekly, monthly, or quarterly, be sure to specify a timeline for this. It is easy to get busy and forget everything you planned to accomplish. Review occassionally to see if you are still on track.
This year I am beginning a monthly idea sparking newsletter. It will include a brainstorming tip, news and pictures from the writing journey.
Great post! I refuel by allowing myself to take a day off and do nothing. It’s harder than it sounds!
I know exactly what you mean, Pat! It is hard work doing nothing sometimes. LOL!
Great tips, as always, Michelle! I’m going to try to get better at refueling this year…it’s never any good when I run out of mental gas.
Thanks, Melissa! I know just what you mean about needing to refuel. It is so easy to forget as we throw ourselves into our lives and writing.