by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
We're coming to the end of the year, and with that a lot of us begin to evaluate how we've done. If you're like me, you'll tend to wait the failures heavier than the successes. When I do that, two things happen:
Look at the overall goal, not where you wanted to be at the end of this year. Take a step back and look at the larger goal. For example, is your goal to get a publishing contract? Then look at all the things you've done this year that have moved you closer to that goal, like:
Yes, you still have a hill to climb. But chances are, you're partway up. Don't beat yourself us because you haven't crested it yet. Take joy in what you have accomplished and adjust your goals accordingly.
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Do you REALLY believe you'll succeed as a writer? Belief matters more than you think - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
We're coming to the end of the year, and with that a lot of us begin to evaluate how we've done. If you're like me, you'll tend to wait the failures heavier than the successes. When I do that, two things happen:
- I get a lopsided view of the past year.
- I get discouraged because I'm not where I expected to be.
Where are you headed, and how much closer to your goal are you than this time next year?
 |
| Believe you can, and you're halfway there. Theodore Roosevelt |
Look at the overall goal, not where you wanted to be at the end of this year. Take a step back and look at the larger goal. For example, is your goal to get a publishing contract? Then look at all the things you've done this year that have moved you closer to that goal, like:
- Attending conferences.
- Sending out queries.
- Finishing the book.
- Joining a critique group.
Yes, you still have a hill to climb. But chances are, you're partway up. Don't beat yourself us because you haven't crested it yet. Take joy in what you have accomplished and adjust your goals accordingly.
Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
I also invite you to use this image any way you like online. Post it to your blog, share it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, anywhere you'd like. All I ask is that you keep it intact, with my website watermark visible.
I also invite you to use this image any way you like online. Post it to your blog, share it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, anywhere you'd like. All I ask is that you keep it intact, with my website watermark visible.
Don't forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie
Edie
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Do you REALLY believe you'll succeed as a writer? Belief matters more than you think - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Thanks for the thought. It has been a year full of small steps. All moving forward ;)
ReplyDeleteJennifer, small steps are so often the best! Congrats on the forward momentum. Blessings, E
DeleteAsk I look back over this year, I realize that I have definitely made steps. I am further along in my writing journey than I thought. Thank you for this reminder, Edie, to evaluate where we've come from before we declare failure. I haven't failed. I haven't succeeded in my time frame. But I've taken steps to get there. The key for me is to remember His timing is always perfect and He's never late.
ReplyDeleteHenry, I'm like you. I've made progress. But not as much as I'd planned. Still. I can definitely call this year a winner! Thanks so much for your input no encouragement, Blessings, E
DeleteFrom the day I started, I believed I could and would. That's what sustained me through a very long journey. You've got to believe in yourself and in the One who gave you the talent. But don't forget that talent comes with some assembly required. :)
ReplyDeleteAne, so much wisdom in your comment! Thank you so much for sharing your journey, blessings, E
DeleteI have learned so much in the past six months when I started this quest to fulfill my publication dream. I am not anywhere near where I thought I might be because I did not know what I did not know!
ReplyDeleteOh how much I need to learn—from updating my dialogue writing style, understanding my POV head-hopping issues, understanding the em and en dash, managing how to set-up and maintain a blog, and learning ACFW critique loop process—but I am so willing.
Managing this is tough since I still have a day job, but I have daily habits firmly in my schedule now. Thank you so much for this blog and your efforts to help the published writer as well as the wanna-be author like me.
Melodie, we've all been there. When we start, sometimes the most important progress is learning what exactly it is that we don't know. So many people helped me, I'm glad for the opportunity to pay it forward! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Blessings, E
DeleteClimbing that mountain means never giving up and accepting the challenges. Thanks Edie!
ReplyDeleteDiAnn you are so right! Thanks so much for stopping by, Blessings, E
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