Sunday, October 27, 2013

Looks like I actually did something.

Another week for the log books. I'm finding this list of goals to be very helpful. At the end of the week, when I am feeling sorry for myself and berating myself as lazy, I can go over the list and say, "Hmm? Looks like I actually did something."

I. READING –
A. Daily goal
1. Read two other blog posts a day. Yes.       
2. Read in at least one of the many books I am reading. Yes.     
B. Goals for the Round
1. Have finished reading five books. Ok, I have finished reading two, and am half-way through “The Glass Castle”.  

II. WRITING
A. Daily goal
1. Work on something for two hours a day. Close.
a. Work on “The Early Life of Jesus in 40 Days”, the second book in the Bible Stories in 40 Days series. I worked on it for a couple hours yesterday and the day before.                 
a. Write on my novel. I still think I may jump on this for NaNoWriMo starting on Friday. I don’t think I will do it officially though. I just have too much going on to make that sort of commitment.
b. Write my blog posts. I missed Thursday’s blog post again this week. What is wrong with me? No excuses this week.  
B. Goals for the Round.
1. Have published “The Christmas Story in 40 Days”. The final draft has been sent to the printer and I should have it in my hot little hands by the end of the week. Once I review it and give the OK to my publisher, this goal will be on record as achieved.
2. Have finished the first draft of “The Early Life of Jesus in 40 Days”.
3. Have finished my novel.

III. REACHING
A.      Weekly goal.
1. Have promoted either one of my books on one other site. I don’t even know what I mean by this goal anymore. I am so tired of eating, sleeping and walking around saying, “promote the book, promote the book.” I know I have to do something to keep selling them both, but I am so burned out.  
2. Comment on two other blog posts. Yes.  
3. Research markets for an hour.  Yes. I looked at the Chicken Soup for the Soul website. I have a great story for them, I just have to find the time to write it.  
4. Keep up on social media, responding to all messages.  Yes.  
5. Have contacted one organization about a speaking engagement. No, another thing I am just burned out on.  
B. Goals for the Round
1. Have submitted three pieces somewhere.
2. Have booked three speaking engagements or book signings.


IV. PERSONAL
A. Exercise
1. Continue to run outside as weather permits or on the treadmill at least three times a week. I ran twice on the treadmill. Already, it is dark out when I get home, so even if the weather was decent (which it is not), I am not running when I can’t see where I am going. My boss manages to run in the dark, he wears a head light and all sorts of reflectors. He admits he probably looks like a dork. I could only nod my head and smile.   
2. Continue exercising three times a week. I think I exercised three times, twice for sure.  
B. Nonprofit
1. Continue working on Tumaini Volunteers, Inc. I am trying to post to our Facebook page at least a couple times a week, so that is about all I did this week. Oh, and print off the 1023 application for tax-exempt status. What a bear that is! Holy cow. I told my daughter we really need to get help with it.
                C. Sewing
1. Finish three projects by the end of the year. Does it count that I patched a co-worker’s shirt and my husband’s jacket?  


11 comments:

  1. It sounds like you're doing a great job. You have so many goals, it almost makes my head spin. LOL. Good luck this week!

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    1. And even though I have all these goals, I am always wasting time it seems like.

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  2. You're definitely staying busy! I'd say if the book promotion stuff isn't working for you right now, get back to the joy of writing….don't force it. Might be "the season" for your pre-order of the Christmas story -- and maybe an idea there is to ponder what made you crave such a book in the first place. If you can sum up why the idea spoke to you, it might make selling it feel a little less sales-y. (Yep, making up words now. :))

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    1. Thanks for the support. I actually wrote the Christmas book for my college-age kids back in 2008. Maybe that is where my focus should return.

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    2. I think there's big value in doing what you're drawn to at the moment. Not to excesses…but my work is higher quality when my heart is in it, that's for sure! :)

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  3. I love the way you formatted this blog post. The outline style... so easy to read, and I bet it's easy to keep track of things, too. I must remember that for my own future posts. Keep up the great work!

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  4. Wow, you certainly have a lot going on. You should be very proud of what you have achieved so far.

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  5. Those are some detailed goals. Best wishes on getting more done this week.

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  6. Thanks for all the comments and support. The eBook version of "The Christmas Story in 40 Days" will be released tomorrow and the paper version in another week or two. Woot, woot!

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  7. indeed it looks like you have done something - quite a lot I would say:) agreeing with all comments above and wishing smiles for this week:)

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  8. Writing out my goals helps me in the same way. Even if I can only cross off a few things, I know I did something. And I so get you on marketing/promoting--I wish I could afford for someone else to do that. :-)

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