Friday, January 05, 2007

New Year's Resolution for 2007



Everybody does it, disparages doing it, or complains about others doing it. The New Year's Resolution avalanche--we all know most of them will be history by February 1 (which is one reason I avoid going to the gym the first couple of weeks in January).

I'm going to do it anyway. Make a resolution, I mean, a resolution that will last all year long. It's a simple resolution, and I've kept it so far. I'm resolving to make a to-do list every night before bed, and do at least three things on the list.

It's not a lot, I'll admit. But it fits in with my desire to focus in on making my hopes and dreams (for my books, my personal health, my family, my house, my karma) come true.

I truly believe you can do anything you can dream, in some form. But I don't believe you can do it if you can't break it down into small bits. For example, I made my dream of being a published writer come true by writing a novel, getting a critique group, sending out my work, and finding an agent.

If you're raising an eyebrow and thinking, "Yeah, tell me something I don't know." Right. I have found it is one thing for me to know a fact, and another for me to allow that fact to color my behavior. For example, I know the little things matter (little things like writing on a regular schedule...and vacuuming on a daily basis...and saying thank you). But I often overlook them while stressing about the big things.

My resolution is meant to keep me focused on the little things more often. I know I won't succeed every moment. But if I can do 90 percent focus, I'll be happy.

What's your resolution?

Kelly

3 comments:

Jennifer Echols said...

To read more. I'm off to a good start, because I'm judging the RITA, the top award for the Romance Writers of America. After that...GETTING TO THIRD DATE is on my TBR shelf!

Kelly McClymer said...

You sound so chipper about the Rita...I saw the email and tried to figure out how to get ready for the books. But I do enjoy judging them. I almost always get books I haven't read before (although this year that's not so hard since I have read so little because I've been writing so much).

Kelly

TinaFerraro said...

Hi Kelly,

Focussing on the little things is a terrific resolution. Because you're right, most of what we accomplish--personally and professionally--can be broken into pieces. And extra attention on those pieces means a greater whole, huh?

Otherwise, my resolutions are to get more exercise and spend less time on the phone and internet!

Tina

www.tinaferraro.com