Comments on: Resolving Not to Resolve

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:07:00 +0000

I agree that you need to break down big picture goals into actions and then actually do them.

What I'm sick and tired of are these touchy-feelies who coo, "ooh, don't make a big resolution. Do something easy so you can feel good about it."

The whole point of setting goals and making resolutions is to stretch yourself in new directions and grow.

Resolutions are not for wimps, and I'm tired of everything getting dumbed down so we can "feel good" instead of actually initiating positive change.

Not everyone is cut out to be good at everything. Sometimes we fail. And some of those failures can lead us to something much better.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:42:00 +0000

Kathy, amen. Recession has yet to reach this desk, as well.

WCSfun, great tips! I get to eat pomegranates today instead of that nasty sugary cake! :))

Carrie, I think that's smart. If the goal's too hard to reach, you're going to drop it. I love the idea of whittling it down to something very do-able. Hey, I put in at least 500 words on these posts every day. Putting it toward a novel is just as easy!

Kirk, I LOVE your resolution! LOL I'm not just happy to help you, I'm eager to. I know if the situation were reversed, you'd be right there helping me. I know you've got the talent and the marketing savvy. Sometimes those first steps are a bit too shaky if you're going it alone! Much happiness to you and Nina this year. :))

By: Kirk Petersen

Kirk Petersen — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:39:00 +0000

I'm not big on resolutions either, but I resolve to read every single post on Words on the Page in 2009. To that end I've just subscribed for email delivery -- to my REAL email, not my spam-catching registration address.

Lori I can't tell you how grateful I am for your advice and support. I know how, conceptually, to market myself, but I need help at the "first do A, then do B" level, which you've been generous in offering, both offline and on your blog.

May God bless you and yours and grant you a safe and prosperous New Year. Oh... and I'm going to exercise more.

By: Carrie Wilson Link

Carrie Wilson Link — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:20:00 +0000

I like the theory behind this. My new goal is to write 500 words a day, since 5 pages just overwhelmed me, and made me feel like a failure each time I didn’t do it.

By: wcsfun

wcsfun — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:26:00 +0000

Wish I was enjoying the boom in business you ladies are! I’ve been super-slow. Hours are spent mailing, quoting, meeting prospects -but no approved projects yet.

Just wanted to chime in with a great psychological tip I read that has helped me. (IF’s comment reminded me of it.) Whenever you’re trying to do something positive for yourself-like exercise or eat right that you don’t feel like doing, replace “have to” with “get to” when you mention it to yourself or others. (I “get to” go to the gym…. I “get to” market my business to reach greater success. I “get to” eat right so I feel strong/healthy.)

If I can focus on how fortunate I am to “get to” do things many people wish they could do but can’t because of sickness, disability, or any other obstacle, I actually end up feeling a bit more appreciative and dread the activity or task less. As writers, we more than most understand the power the right words,(or the wrong ones,)can have.

By: Irreverent Freelancer

Irreverent Freelancer — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:26:00 +0000

So true. I didn’t even mention my goal of staying at my current weight by exercising regularly. I fear if I put down that I will exercise every day, I’ll feel forced into it and then just not want to do it at all. By NOT making it a New Year’s resolution, I can think of it as something fun I WANT to do. Hmm, maybe I should have been a psychologist.

And congrats on the big income boost. I haven’t yet seen any cut in business as a result of the recession either. In fact, I was busier this December than any other one I can remember, and a lot of clients I haven’t heard from in ages popped back in and indicated they’d need assistance in 2009.