What's going on here? I'm posting on a non-IWSG day?? As you probably guessed, one of my goals for the new year is to blog more! Hence the...blogging...
So, if you remember the beginning of last year, I got a fancy new planner to log all of my writing and non-writing goals. It was a great idea to help me be productive and motivated. And then somewhere around...oh, let's say, March...we were hit with a....let's call it a PANDEMIC...where everyone's goals and plans went straight into the garbage. Seriously, one of my goals was to go to the gym five days a week, and guess what?? The gym closed!!! And you'd think with all this time staying at home I'd get lots of writing done? Lol you thought! I work in a hospital, which on one hand is great, because I kept my full time job the whole time, but on the other hand, is SUPER STRESSFULL during aforementioned PANDEMIC.
Anyhoo...it's a new year, I'm two weeks away from getting my second dose of the vaccine, and I have a NEWER, FANCIER planner.
BEHOLD (no I will not stop using the caps lock...)
I got the new planner for Christmas, along with an extra set of stickers to make the planning more fun. It's actually much bigger than last years planner, with more detailed spots for goals and planning. And since I didn't think that was enough, I bought MORE STICKERS!!!
So, how does this help me? Well, on top of my daily goals (gym, cleaning, etc.), it also allows me to create weekly, monthly, and yearly goals. I'm trying to work slowly into my writing related goals since I've avoided writing for about two months. But like I said in my last post, I'm focusing more on specific tasks for each week, rather than trying to write every day.
I'm the kind of person who likes to make lists and track things (this is why Weight Watchers really works for me when I actually commit to it...all the tracking!), so I think something like this will help a lot. I've been doing really well with my daily goals, so I think I just need to figure out when and how to work in writing to my schedule. I did accomplish a lot in the first week with my planner, but not so much when it comes to writing. Then hopefully, I'll start to feel motivated again.
Do you use a planner? How do you stay motivated?
Glad it's working. Maybe schedule in some easy writing exercise first and see how that goes.
ReplyDeleteI think Alex's idea about scheduling the easy writing exercises is a good one. Maybe set a short word count goal or a short time goal? Good luck with the new planner - love all the stickers! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the way it's set up. And the stickers!
ReplyDeleteLike you, I just need to slide in 15 minutes of writing a day to get me back into the mode.
Glad your planner is working. I have been trying to schedule in a little time every day to write. It works. Even later in the day.
ReplyDeleteI love planners, and this one looks like a great one to use.
ReplyDeleteI bought my very first planner this year. It's not as cool as yours, though. Something to aspire to for next year, maybe?
ReplyDeleteSpecific tasks, I find, are always more helpful than a goal saying "write more" or "write every day". Best of luck with all your goals!!
I'm surrounded by family members who are list-makers and organizers ... it hasn't rubbed off yet! Good luck with your goals!!
ReplyDeleteI should try the planner thing. Things always seem more concrete when written down somehow and I'm sure it's very satisfying to tick them off. Here's to a productive year for you.
ReplyDelete