New Goals & A New Writing You

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

The first few months of a new year fosters a time for reflection and planning. It is a time to look back on last year, evaluate what you did, and plan for the next year. The new year motivates one to meet with the Lord and meditate upon his will for a person’s writing ministry. Have you taken the time to plan for 2019?

Begin your 2019 planning session with prayer. Ask God to guide you during this session. Select a scripture verse as your theme for the new year. My 2018 theme verse was Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT):

“May the Lord bless you

and protect you.

May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.”

For 2019, I chose Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT), “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” I focused on the last stanza “give you a future and a hope.” 

I write my new year’s theme verse either on the front cover or first page of my new calendar. This year, I chose to document my 2019 planning session in the first few pages of my calendar, so it is easily accessible. In the writing business, we receive much rejection. Focusing on our divine purpose and God’s Word keep us grounded and motivated to pursue the Lord’s will for our lives.

Next, I list all the 2018 accomplishments in my life (work, health, spiritual, family). Then it is time to celebrate. Evaluate what worked well and what did not. Determine what you need to purge from your life—maybe a negative relationship or an author event that is not working well. 

Plan your goals for 2019. As you do, ask God to help you determine what he wants you to accomplish. What is his priority? In different seasons of our lives, perhaps we should focus more on family and less on your work. Our children grow quicker than we think. For my 2019 goals, I created a list for work, home/family, and relationships. 

Prioritize your goals and schedule them in your calendar based upon segments of time such as monthly or quarterly. For example, in January I created a free pamphlet “7-Day No Sugar/Wheat Challenge” to increase my email subscriber list. I will launch a new book, Healthy Living Series: 3 Books in 1 in February. Next, I plan to create an online course (to diversify my income) that will be available on my website by the end of the second quarter. Finally, I will write my next book (about gluten sensitivity) in between the cracks of time and publish it by October 2019, so it is available for the holiday season when book sales are at their highest. The last quarter I will focus on marketing.

Lastly, I focus on what I can do to improve myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Do I need to take the no sugar/wheat challenge myself or join a Bible study at church? When a writer focuses on their well-being, they can accomplish their 2019 divine goals better. May God give you wisdom and bless you as you work for him.

Portions of this annual planning session were adapted from Shelley Hitz’s, “Plan It Day.”

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New Goals & A New #Writing You - @SusanNealYoga on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Tips for setting goals for your #writing year - @SusanNealYoga on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Susan U. Neal, RN, MBA, MHS

Susan’s mission is to improve the health of the body of Christ. She has her RN and MBA degrees, as well as a master’s in health science. She is a CERTIFIED HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHwith the American Association of Christian Counselors. She published five books, the Selah award winner 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, CHRISTIAN STUDY GUIDE FOR 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, HEALTHY LIVING JOURNAL, SCRIPTURE YOGAa #1 Amazon best-selling yoga book, and YOGA FOR BEGINNERS which ranked #3. She published two sets of Christian Yoga Card Decks and two Christian Yoga DVDs that are available at CHRISTINAYOGA.COM. Her digital product HOW TO PREVENT, IMPROVE, AND REVERSE ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA is a great resource. To learn more about Susan visit her website SUSANUNEAL.COMYou can also connect with Susan on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM.