Monday, January 10, 2011

Don't Lean Too Far To One Side

Or you might tumble and fall. Last week, I reviewed my goals for 2010 and the progress I made toward those goals. This week, I want to (for my own sake, so please bear with me) outline what I'd like to accomplish in 2011. On Friday, I talked about balancing my professional life with my personal life and how it was a work in progress. It goes without saying that this will be an ongoing focus during 2011. As I mentioned Friday, it's not my other commitments that are suffering. It's my writing. In an attempt to balance last year, I actually ended up leaning too far to one side. This year, I want to steady myself and put my writing back up in the running for top priority. (It can't and won't ever beat out my family, but it can take more of a center-stage role.) So, there you have it... my first goal for 2011 is to put more emphasis on my writing without sacrificing my other commitments. I think I can do it. No, I know I can do it! Who's with me? Are you ready to let your writing take on a more important role in your life?

33 comments:

Kelly Polark said...

I like that goal. I know how easily it can be pushed aside with so many other things to do. Good luck to you!

Patti said...

I'm so with you on that one, now I just need to figure out how to do it. That's why I'm blogging while my kids wait for me to take them to school. Take advantage of the little moments.

Wendy Paine Miller said...

I feel like my characters deserve it.

I only have 15K on this one and I'm already pumped about jumping in on my next one. I'll edit and write simultaneously.
~ Wendy

Julie Dao said...

You can totally do it, Susan! I think that's a great goal!

Shannon said...

Great goal! =)

I know how hard it can be at times to disengage and write. For me, I have to let go of the guilt and just write. So far, I've written more in January than I did the entire month of December.

You can do it!

Tess said...

I set forth an actual schedule and am forcing myself to stick w/ it. I have work...family stuff...gym...email/blogging and writing time all delineated. It's working so far so I hope I can keep with it :)

Stephanie Faris said...

Good luck! I, too, am trying to balance it all. Hopefully I'm getting some writing done today while my husband is off sledding with the other guys in the neighborhood!

Colene Murphy said...

Yes! I'm pumped now! You can do it!

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I'm with you 100%! :-)

Nancy said...

I'm with you all the way. I know that you can do it. I think there is something under the heading of "writing goals" that I need to do, so I guess I'm in it for me, too. Thanks for helping me to think it through.

Kimberly Franklin said...

I am 100% with you on this goal. It's the same as mine!

MrsBlogAlot said...

If anyone can do it Susan you can!

I'm constantly in juggling and balance mode. It feels great when I don't fall off (-:

Suzanne Casamento said...

Strangely, I'm doing the opposite this year. Working on getting my life together and feeling free to let the writing slide. Afterall, I need to eat if I'm going to be able to write. ;)

Paul Greci said...

Great idea. To keep choosing writing when you have choices. Go Susan!!

Karen M. Peterson said...

That's a very good goal, Susan. Now what's your plan for accomplishing it?

Tamika: said...

You summed up my struggle perfectly. This has been a hard road for finding the right balance, but with determination I know I can get there. God called me to it so I trust that He will make room for my gift.

Corey Schwartz said...

Good luck, Susan! 2010 was actually the first year that I had a good balance since having kids. (Guess that's because they were finally both in school full time!)

K. M. Walton said...

You can do it, Susan. And I'm certain you have the kind of family that understands and supports you 100% when writing nudges into "their time" - it happens sometimes and for good reason.

Diane said...

I see another friend was signed. T. Anne

Your blogging breaks really do work for people!!! :O)

Tara McClendon said...

The great thing about writing is you can always get back up on the balance beam, even if you do fall. Best of luck with this new year.

Laura Pauling said...

Now that's a nice goal. The good thing is that most blogging writers know to set their goal realistically so they can find success! And I'll be studying story structure for a while - I mean like really studying it! :)

Stina said...

Love your goal, Susan.

I'm having to learn not to place so much emphasis on my writing. That cleaning my house, visiting friends, and spending time with my family is important too. They was all getting a little neglected with my writing. ;)

Danyelle L. said...

Balance is such a tricky beast. :) Best of luck! It sounds like you've got your priorities in line which is the most important thing. :D *writing cookies*

Carla said...

This is just the thing! We can't write full-time, but how on Earth do we write part-time?! Thanks for sharing--I'm sure you can do it!

~Carla

Jennifer Shirk said...

Good for you, Susan!
We can cheer each other on!

Jill Kemerer said...

Woo-woo! I made that commitment two years ago and I'm so glad I did. This is your year!

W.B. said...

That's an excellent goal for the new year, Susan.

I hope you had a great 2010, and all the best in 2011! :)

Plamena Schmidt said...

You can do it! It's amazing how even a little writing time carved out every day can go a long way.

Tabitha Bird said...

Great idea. Good luck with that too. It is something I try to do as well.

Carolyn V. said...

I need to be more balanced. I hope this is the year! =D

Jennifer Hillier said...

Great goal! You can do it!

My goal is to find balance and carve out more time for non-writing things (without sacrificing the writing time).

Anonymous said...

Yes, yes, my thoughts exactlty! I pray that this will happen for the both of us this year! Best wishes and blessings to you! :o)

Jen said...

Thanks for this post! I need to write down some solid writing goals for this year. They're in my head, but getting them out on paper or screen seems to solidify them. I'm off to do that now!

~Jen