How to Turn Hope into Action and Achieve Your Writing Goals

From Edie: Discover how to turn hope into action and achieve your writing goals. Learn simple, practical steps to move from dreaming to doing in your writing life.

How to Turn Hope into Action and Achieve Your Writing Goals

by Larry J. Leech, II @LarryJLeechII

Last month I sat on my couch frustrated that one of ‘my NFL teams’ was in the process of losing a game against a hated rival. With the team down by 15 points with just under 12 minutes to play, I didn’t have hope. And I’m sure other fans of the team felt the same way. A few minutes later, I thought we need a turnover to have a chance. The next play, that turnover happened. Suddenly, hope sprung forth, although the odds of winning were still long at that point. 

But hope. 

Three minutes later, ‘my team’ won with a field goal while time expired, an insane ending to an improbable comeback. That started with one play, one circumstance that gave fans hope.

Hope.

Where do you find hope? From within? From a kind word for a family member or friend? From a stranger? From above?

Hope, like fear, can be a great motivator. NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice often said, “The fear of failure is the engine that has driven me throughout my entire life.” 

Action. 

Rice put action to his fear. 

You can do the same with hope. You hope to finish your manuscript by December 15? Your action: put your butt in the chair and write. Your action: You hope to sell your book soon? submit your proposal. You hope to be a best-selling author? Your action: study the craft and the market.

Hope + action = achievement. 

Notice the equation doesn’t equal success. That’s a different formula for another blog.

But today, put action to your hope and work toward achievement.

What do you hope for today? 

TWEETABLE

How to Turn Hope into Action and Achieve Your Writing Goals from @LarryJLeechII on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Usually with a hot beverage nearby, Larry J. Leech II spends his days working with words—as a writing coach of award-winning authors, as well as Acquisitions Editor and Master Book Coach for Illumify Media. More than forty years ago, Larry started his career as a sportswriter in southwestern Pennsylvania where he covered prep sports, college sports, and the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers. In 2004, after 2,300 published articles, Larry shifted to book publishing. Since that time, he has ghostwritten thirty books, edited more than 450 manuscripts, and coached hundreds of authors through the writing and publication process. For nearly two decades Larry has taught at numerous general market and inspirational conferences nationwide. When he has a minute, Larry likes to hang out on Facebook and Instagram. You can also find out more about him on his website: larryleech.com.