Goals.

And here comes the new year full of hope. Yet we step into it with trepidation, don't we?

We make all kinds of promises to ourselves - we will remake ourselves, we will change habits, we will do things differently, we will lose weight, we will eat healthier...

Nah.

. I don't believe a vague resolution works. I think resolutions fall on the wayside as we trek along to some new, easier to follow interest.

So how do we make that change we so badly want?

Think of it this way.

We have a house to clean. It's a massive task. We tackle it one task at a time, one day at a time.

How will this way of thinking work?

I plan to set goals...realistic goals. And, one by one, I will list the tasks I need to do to achieve those goals. For example:

GOAL:

Publish book 2.

Tasks:

Finish book cover.

Format manuscript.

Double check for errors.

Upload manuscript.

GOAL:

Market manuscript.

Tasks:

Write letters to Mr. / Mrs. / Media

Read excerpts from book on x, y, z platforms

Etc.

I plan to rate myself, each week, 1 to 5, to assess how I've done with each task.

Doing this has worked for me, and it anchors me to the goal. It's fun to see how I've progressed.

(Apparently, career coaches earn enough teaching people these skills. Would you consider being a coach?)

Wishing you all the best for 2025!