Before we dive into feelings and thoughts and all that mumbo jumbo, let's start with some stats.
I have eight BIG MAJOR goals. Four of them had Half-Month Goals for the beginning of January. The rest were "Non-Focuses." I finished none of these Half-Month Goals.
The four Half-Month Goals were broken down into fourteen Mini-Goals. I finished five of them.
Looking at those numbers, it does not seem as if I had a productive fifteen days, but let me put it into perspective for you.
The four Half-Month Goals were:
- Read through THINKING OF YOU's modified draft one and make index cards for already written scenes.
- Reach 42,000 words on OBJECTION.
- Finish drafting SHOW ME YOUR FANGS and planning THE SMILE FIXER.
- Read 15/31 books under 200 pages.
I finished reading/making index cards for THINKING OF YOU up through chapter ten, putting that Half-Month Goal at one-third complete. That's serious progress for me. I've started working through my scenes, deciding what has to be moved or merged. I've started considering where new scenes need to be added, which is important since deciding on and making index cards for those scenes is January's second Half-Month Goal. I'm not worried about finishing my storyboard by the end of the month. Next Monday there's no school and I'm setting aside that day to do the last twenty chapters.
While I didn't reach 42,000 words on OBJECTION before my first deadline, I did get there today. The word count currently stands at 42,058. I plan to finish the draft by February 1. However, before I write another word, I intend to sit down and re-outline my ending. I've changed it quite a bit and I need to see how it's going to play out on paper. I'll probably do that tomorrow and then continue my steady progress to the end.
I now have a draft of SHOW ME YOUR FANGS, a story you may remember from early last year. I intend to edit it in the next couple of days and use it in my OSAI audition. I didn't even touch THE SMILE FIXER though, barely even thought about it. Perhaps this weekend in between laundry loads I can finish outlining and start drafting.
On each of the first three goals, substantial progress was made. This cannot be said for the reading goal. I read two out of those fifteen books. If I catch up in time, it will be a miracle. Right now I plan to focus on the sixteen books I planned on for my second January Half-Month Goal. If I have time after reading them, I will go back to the books for the first half of the month.
I have to say, even though I barely finished anything, I am not upset or disappointed in myself. In fact, I'm rather happy. This goal system is more a way to keep me moving forward with my writing than to make sure that I finish all of my minor goals. And it's doing its job splendidly in my opinion.
How did the beginning of January go for you? What do you think of my goal system?
Sounds like it's working well for you. I tend to be more of a "must get this done so I can tick that box" sort of person. But I do also let myself off the hook for any unticked boxes, even if I'm not too thrilled to be doing so.
ReplyDeleteCurrently I'm a bit behind in my January weekly goals overall, but in some I've pulled further ahead than in others. I'm not too worried atm.
Yes! I'm that sort of person as well. My goal spreadsheet has a whole column for "ticking" off my goals.
DeleteThat's how it seems to go with goals. Some you do awesome on and others not so much. But at least you're getting something done. Good luck!
I like your goal system. It's very mathematical and scientific (I will reach 42,000 words at this and this date). That kind of sets up a whole pass/fail system which is something I approve of. In my own organization, I'm too used to "-ish" ing things. Example: I hope to write "20000-ish" words by the end of January. So that means if I hit 15000 then I'm good with that. I could take a lesson from you, dear Brooke.
ReplyDeleteWhy, thank you, Michael. I hope you can take something from this as that's why I wrote it. :)
DeleteWith my goals, I personally think the more specific you are, the better. It's a bit like your post on how art helps your writing on Charity's blog. The more specific a goal, the clearer picture I have in my mind and the better I do!
Wow, that's very impressive! Your minigoal system gives you concrete targets to work towards on a constant basis. I'm more like Michael in setting goals, but being a bit vague with them. You've done great, and hopping between all those WIPs must take an organised mind too!
ReplyDelete0-0 Let me tell you. Almost all of my writing supplies are color-coded for each novel. Notebooks, notepads, binders, folders, index cards.
DeleteI'm pretty impatient is my problem and I have to remind myself constantly that I can only do so much. I've had to learn how to shove projects aside for a while so I could get something else done.
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment!
You are the best judge of your own progress. It's good to set ambitious goals.
ReplyDeleteYes, ambitious goals tend to take you farther, but at the same time you tend to feel worse if you don't complete them. :/
DeleteHave you ever thought of maybe starting a Goal Group? (Sounds catchy, doesn't it?) You and your friends, or maybe some other writer-bloggers, could make monthly goals and then hold each other to them or compare how they come out. It might give you a sense of other people's process, as well as feeling like you're not alone in trying to accomplish all these "reach for the stars" goals.
DeleteThat's a good idea, but at the same time it works against "Compare yourself to yourself, not others" which is a statement that I very much try to live by. :/
DeleteAnd yes, Goal Group sounds catchy. ;)
Ah. That might be a problem. But the point wouldn't be to compare your goals to others', it would be to motivate/pester each other to reach your individual goals, and support each other if something goes wrong. Might be better than feeling like you have to plow through alone.
DeleteReally, I think it depends on the kind of person you are and the environment you work best in. Some people like being alone. Others don't.
DeleteAs I'm starting to realize, Brooke is usually right. I could probably learn a thing or two about setting goals, as I usually sit there in French and methodically plan out when I want to be working on what for my current WIP, and then forget it all the next period. . . Wow, I really could learn something.
ReplyDeletelol Madeline, you should probably write down your plans while in French. It'll have the added bonus of your teacher thinking you're taking notes. ;)
DeleteHey, I say progress is progress. It deserves celebration. :D
ReplyDeleteI'm making a dent in my monthly goals, but I only have a week and a half to complete them. I better pick up the pace!
Exactly! Thank you. ^^ And oh, don't remind me. 0-0 Still so much to do...
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