I feel like in the last six months, and especially in the last two to three weeks, I have popped out of some kind of opaque chrysalis that I didn’t know I was living in into a new life, a new me. I have a new outlook on life, a greater feeling of maturity (I’ve always been a little emotionally behind others my age), and an energizing feeling of direction and purpose.
I know with crystal clarity what kind of life I want to live and am taking steps in all aspects to get what I want.
I feel like there is no limit on what I can do. That’s why I chose the phrase “infinite possibilities,” as my Word of the Year for 2021. I am optimistic that this year will bring me endless possibilities for success, growth, money, and all good things. And I plan to take advantage of every one of them.
To that end, I’ve established both author and personal goals for 2021. I’m fine with sharing both here because I am the same person whether you are talking to me as an author or a regular person and I aim to be authentic in all I do.
Writing Goals:
- Get a contract for Minor bio. (Okay, that’s more in my agent’s hands than mine.)
- Finish Colonial/Revolutionary War histfic by end of July.
- Finish WWII histfic by end of July.
- Write female inventor histfic by end of 2021.
- Start on modern retelling of a classic (I’ll be working on ideas for this while I am writing the other books) by the end of the year.
- Write poetry again. (I did this as a child and teenager, but I’ve lacked the confidence as an adult.)
- Attend the Biographer’s International and Historical Novel Society virtual conferences.
- Hopefully the Ethics in Arthurian Legend book a I wrote a chapter for will be published. (That is out of my hands.)
- Do what I can to get Madame Presidentess and Daughter of Destiny optioned.
Personal Goals:
- Lose 40-50 lbs by June 1.
- Walk outside when the weather is nice. Swim if the pools open again.
- Dance, barre, basic cardio, weight lifting indoors.
- Eat a mostly pescatarian/Mediterranean diet.
- Stop eating delivery.
- Pay off debt.
- Focus on paying off credit card.
- Every time I have the urge to buy something, put that amount of money in my savings account and use it to pay on credit card that month.
- Continue to pay off loans.
- Continue working with the League of Women voters to fund a permanent suffrage memorial of some kind in St. Louis.
- Learn to read French.
- Teach myself to sew.
- There’s another one that I’m not ready to talk about yet, but I will if it ends up working out.
I realize this is an ambitious list, but I always set high goals for myself. That is the way I am happiest. I plan to achieve them all but if I don’t, that is fine too.
What are your 2021 goals?
Love the idea of infinite possibilities in 2021! đź’«
Infinite Possibilities is awesome! Who can follow your act and not look lazy? Seriously…
I will be publishing my first nonfiction book in late January. It seems surreal! In 2021 I will complete the second book in a MG adventure series, finish the 1st draft of a MG humor I have outlined, and schedule at least 30 presentations to writers groups. I plan to begin another nonfiction book by the end of 2021.
I have a whole list of goals to accomplish as a St.Lous Writers Guild board member. Assisting with the expansion of our youth programming, adding more resources for our members, working with our community partners to strengthen our support of the literary community.
I intend to continue to walk 4-5 miles almost every morning and take care pf myself and my families health.
My path is mine to determine and I look forward to following my passions and hope you do as well.
I hope you fill your days with reasons to smile,
Cherie
Wow, those are great goals. You are making me tired already! I love your passion and drive! Congratulations on publishing your first non-fiction book. That is a wonderful feeling. Make sure to savor it! Wow, 30 presentations! What are you presenting on? I’d love to pick your brain on locations, etc. I’ve gotten really lazy about speaking engagement since COVID. Best of luck on all your goals. I know you will do great!
I agree – yours are ambitious and detailed. That is probably why you accomplish so much. I’m less so but actually wrote down some things this year too.
Finish both novels I am working on. Market “The Art of Dying Well” and be accepted by a literary agent. Finish my revision of the novel I was marketing last year, that a literary agent asked me to do (only said she would read one, if I did). Organize my parents’ estate papers since that closed out in 2018 and it is still a few stacks. Continue to stay healthy. It actually felt like a success to end 2020 without becoming infected. Have some new means of financial support.
Hi Deb,
Sorry it didn’t show immediately. My website automatically sends all comments for moderation, but then sometimes dumps them into the trash for no reason, which is what happened here. Your goals sound great! I wish you the best of luck with your books. I can’t imagine how hard it must be to deal with the estate stuff. I hope you find it healing to have it all done and behind you. What kinds of things are you thinking for financial support? There are writer’s organizations that will pay for newsletter articles, speaking pays, lots of options for us writers!