What are your goals for the new year---for
reading, writing, or other?
This is what I've figured out though...
I'm not setting a goal for reading this year. Last year I tried to read 100 books (I made it to 92). I was so focused on reaching that number that at times I read through something too fast without really savouring it, or I put other things aside so I could get some reading done. So this year, I'm just going to read when I can and when I want to and not try to rush it.
On the flip side, I always set a goal for my writing. Whether it's 1000 words a day when I'm writing a first draft, or in my case right now, I'd like to have my revision done before the end of January so I can send it to some betas. Writing for me isn't top priority, so it's easy for me to set it aside for something more important. Having a goal helps me to NOT do that. To make myself do it a little each day. While I love to write and it makes me all tingly inside when I do, I need a goal to keep it a constant in my life.
As for other goals, well, I really don't want to get into the eating right/exercising one, because that one just makes me frustrated.
I find reading goals to be tricky things to quantify. The craft books always say you should be reading lots, but "lots" means different things to different people. Some are slow readers, others fast. Some are full-time writers and can carve out a good number of hours each day to read. Others (perhaps most) have busy day jobs and can only read at night, perhaps when the kids are in bed, and when they've met their daily writing goal. I think you just have to know yourself, your own limitations, and your own needs. Yes, writers need to be active and avid readers. But one person's 100 books a year is another persons 25 books a year.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful 2013, Melanie! :)
I love that you set a reading goal. I should do that.
ReplyDeleteyeah, the eating, dieting, exercise goals are frustrating. I'm staying away from those.
ReplyDeleteI'm lousy at trying to reach goals. I set them and then forget them. I think I wouldn't mind more schedules/routine in my life in 2013, but beyond that I'm just mostly going to keep doing what I'm doing. I set a reading goal, but I totally know what you mean about rushing through books to meet that goal. I hope that doesn't happen. Anyway, good luck meeting your goals this year, Melanie! :)
ReplyDeleteI love that Chandler moment. That's pretty much what I'm like.
ReplyDeleteYour goal philosophy makes sense. :) I always find myself setting deadlines, not reaching them, then getting frustrated when the schedule is all messed up. Maybe my 2013 goal should be to find a way around that. ;)
ReplyDeleteChandler Bing. Thank you for that.
ReplyDelete