The Importance of Taking Stock and Setting Goals in a Writer’s Life

In this brief time before the end of the current year and the beginning of the New Year, I like to pause and look back over what I have achieved – and what I haven’t achieved – and what I want to do in the coming year.

I do this in a variety of ways. I create a vision board that includes my writing goals, hopes, and plans for the coming year as well as my goals in other areas of my life. I’m in the process of doing that now. This year, since I’ve had a writing accountability buddy (post coming in the new year) we may be able to do some evaluation together. I’m also always brainstorming with my first reader/critique partner on all my writing goals.

For the past few years, I have found Julie Hedlund’s 12 Days of Christmas for Writers to be invaluable for the process of looking back and making plans to move forward with my writing. Every year as December approaches, I start wondering if Julie will offer this opportunity again.

The all-too-brief time of the 12 Days focuses on clarifying successes and non-successes from the past year, clarifying just what we want to build on in the coming year, giving and receiving support in a group of other writers who are going through the daily exercises, and above all, having FUN together!

In Julie’s words, from her blog post about last year’s 12 Days, it’s to “keep the holidays going even after the New Year begins,” and “to start your writing year from a place of inspiration, illumination, and optimism.”

If Julie decides to offer The 12 Days of Christmas for Writers in 2018, I’ll update my blog with a brief post to let you know. In the meantime, I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

This year, I’ll also be participating in a free webinar about looking back and moving forward, presented by freelance editor and former agent Mary Kole. The webinar is entitled Rock Your Writing Goals, and will take place Saturday, December 29, at 11 a.m. CST. It will run for about an hour.

In Mary’s words, “Let’s spend an hour together this last weekend of December and do some creative brainstorming for the year to come. … I’ll discuss creativity, actionable steps for achieving your writing or publishing goals this year, and send you off into 2019 with a bang!” Learn more about Mary’s webinars and sign up at this link.

How do you prepare for the year-to-come? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Here’s to a great 2019!