It’s about that time of year when I take a look at the goals I set for myself back in January to see how I’m doing and what progress, if any, I have made.
And given the state of the world these days, it feels supremely silly and rather pointless to do so, but I guess I’m going to do it anyway.
In January, I set seven goals. As of now, I have accomplished two of them, made actual progress on two more, technically worked on another (the smallest amount of progress that could possibly be considered progress), and have completely ignored the last two. But, to be fair, those last two were/are stretch goals, so I’m supposed to be ignoring them.
Here’s how it looks:
Overall, I am behind where I had hoped to be at this point of the year, but not by nearly as much as I had expected to be. So…glass half full, maybe?
Here’s what’s on the goal list for July. The theme here is, more or less, just attempting to not fall any further behind. Life might have other plans, as it sometimes does, but we’ll see what happens.
In theory, this is all doable. I’m thisclose to being done with the Terrible Romance Sequel revisions. Like, tantalizingly close. I lost my forward momentum on this project last month (Life. What are you gonna do, right?) and am trying to claw my way back to it. I have nine pages left (out of 291).
I’m also about halfway through the manuscript critique, so I am cautiously optimistic that I can make it through the second half before the end of the month.
I’d really love to write something for some story. I don’t even really care which story. Any story would be perfect. It’s just been so damn long since I’ve written anything. I just miss it.
I’m keeping my reading goal pretty low these days. Mostly because I’m reading/editing/critiquing a lot of manuscripts for other authors.
And then there’s my standard walking goal. I’ve just barely been hitting the two miles per day average every month, but it’s better than nothing.
And on that note, I’m outta here. How’s your year gone so far? Have any fun summer plans?
Be safe and well, all. ❤️
“Write something for some story” might be my favorite goal. I should also strive for that one.
Shoot for the stars and hit the mountain tops, eh? Better to aim high and attempt something ambitious than just accept mediocre.
Definitely half full!
I always admire your walking/walking goal. I tend to make progress with walking then lose momentum for some reason. Sigh.
I read somewhere that today is the halfway point between 2000 and 2050 and that goggled my mind a bit. Best of luck on all these goals. You’ve got worthy and reasonably realistic ones. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
You published a book with two more in the wings. I’d say that’s good.
Great work on your goals! And thanks for reminding me I need to check in on mine…
I don’t know if it would fit in your schedule, but something I do to keep my writing muscles limber is to give myself 30 minutes a day to write flash fiction to a prompt (I use Writing.com and a daily contest called the Writers Cramp). Stories can be max of 1000 words, and that’s about what I write in 30 minutes, so it works out. I can do it in my lunchbreak at work, or in the early morning before the world wakes up, or even sometimes while dinner is cooking. It really helps keep te creativity flowing.
It looks like you’re doing pretty darn good on your 2025 goals.
That you do want to write again is something. Sometimes the urge is just not there. And great progress. Congrats. My only real summer plans are happening right now. I’m in Ohio, visiting family.