Every year for the last few years I’ve been participating in a week-long writing workshop. This workshop always takes place at the end of the year, daily, from the day after Christmas to New Year’s Day. It guides writers through a ‘fresh start’ reset and a clear plan to move forward with the year ahead. There are new writers just starting out on the journey, writers with a published catalog of ten or more, and writers like me who have nearly completed a book and are awaiting the final steps before pushing “PUBLISH”.
The workshop includes topics like outlining goals for the year and envisioning the steps of reaching those goals. One day is a comprehensive day about organization, from calendars and projecting ‘due’ dates for each step of your plan and the calendars and notebooks or other tools necessary to reach them, to fun days like creating a reading list related to your goals as well as fun or interesting books you’ve put off reading or want to revisit.
This workshop always motivates me, but it also comes with the caveat of knowing that not everything may get done, or get done this year, and that’s okay. As long as you’re working toward it and putting in the effort when you can. Creating small goals, like writing, reading, or organizing thoughts on the next project get you further than you realize. We learned the idea of the 10×100 grid and its reward system (of your own choosing) and how it can keep you motivated to keep going. The check mark, filled in square, sticker, or whatever sign you use to indicate completion adds up, and the knowledge of the disappointment of seeing an empty day on the calendar is a motivator to keep going.
I have personal goals I won’t share here, but my writing goals include the publication of my debut novel, completing the outline and first draft of the next, and at least an outline for the third. This sounds big and daunting, but the smaller steps are easier to digest and I have confidence that I will complete the first draft, with the outline of the third being an ‘it’d be great to achieve that, too’ goal.
Let’s talk about the word ‘resolution.’ Many people make a New Year’s Resolution, often tied to working out, dieting, and doing something else ‘more’ – like visiting friends or family or traveling. But what is ‘more’? If you never went to the gym last year, going for the month of January could be considered going ‘more.’ If you only saw family at Thanksgiving and Christmas, seeing them at Easter as well could be considered seeing them ‘more.’ This is where ‘resolutions’ fall apart. That’s not what you meant, is it? ‘More’ likely meant developing an ongoing habit like going to the gym three times a week, every week. Seeing family ‘more’ meant developing the habit of getting together with family outside of major holidays, perhaps once a month or every couple of months when schedules align.
The word ‘goal’ is much more flexible, and for many much more attainable. Goals can be set with a finish line you create – your goal is to lose X number of pounds by March 31. You’ll find a method of dieting and exercise that fits with your schedule and lifestyle that will still allow you to achieve that goal by the deadline. When you step on the scale on March 31 and see you’ve lost the weight – and possibly more – your goal was met by the deadline. Celebrate!
What are your goals for 2026? How do you plan to reach them? Let’s keep talking on Facebook!