Thursday, December 29, 2011

2012 Rocks - I Can Tell Already

Today I'm headed to the beach to hail the new year with a good friend. She's positive. A yoga instructor in tune with various energies. She makes me feel great about myself. Anyone who knows me realizes that I'm as grounded and logical as they come. But there's something about being around this lady that settles me and helps me see myself better. So to the beach I go, to welcome new goals and a new year, because I think 2012 will be different. No, I can't forecast the future, and I'm not that connected to assume I'll be successful, but I've decided 2012 will rock. Why?

1. I have vision. 

My goals are pretty solid. They are book-related. I won't release them here because I believe that broadcasting your goals takes some of the starch out of them, leaving them less exciting. Many writers announce their goals, thinking they'll be held more accountable by making promises in writing and out loud. Keep your goals to yourself, as if you are planning a surprise. Face it . . . if you told everyone around you what your presents were going to be, the feeling of awe when they are finally revealed feels rather dampened. 

2. I have support.

I belong to a few writers' groups, online and in person. I have friends who like the fact I'm a writer. I have a spouse ready to hit the road with me in 2012 to conferences and writing group visits. This quote rather intrigued me this week as I pondered the upcoming year: 

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”- Jim Rohn

If you spend most of your time with people who don't believe in you, you tend not to believe in yourself. Change that. So you can't alter your spouse, child, significant other or coworker. You can however, make a point of connecting with those who understand writing. Seriously, that sense of belonging and camaraderie with like souls empowers you. You can also educate those around you who don't understand the importance of writing in your life. When they see you taking responsibility for your writing and taking it seriously, they will, too.

3. I have excitement. 
Leading into a goal with trepidation is like trying to dance ballet in hiking boots. You aren't giving yourself permission to be good. Yes, it's easy to be excited on January 1. It's clean, new, without scars and mistakes. However, you can look at each month's 1st as a point to re-energize. Analyze what you did the previous month and make plans to dance on your toes in top form in the next. 

Nothing magic. All attitude. Decide 2012 will rock for you. Take baby steps or giant leaps, it doesn't matter. What does make the difference is how you think about yourself and what you are capable of fulfilling.

7 comments:

WriterMarie said...

This post is exactly what I needed to see. I've been evaluating my goals for the upcoming year and I'm very excited to put my plans into action. No matter what is thrown at me, 2012 will rock! Thank you Hope!

Civil War Horror (Sean McLachlan) said...

Keep at your goals, and your dreams will come true!
I have a busy year in 2012, and for the first time in ten years of freelance writing I'm putting my fiction ahead of my nonfiction. I'll still be writing history and travel, but now is the time to put my fiction in the lead.
Oh, and I still owe you a blog post! A deadline and the holidays got in the way, but I'll get you that post within a week.

Barbara Hollace said...

Hope, I'm excited for you. I love your quote, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”- Jim Rohn How true!

Thank you for being faithful to us as your readers but also learning how to balance what YOU need to do for your writing life.

I'm excited about 2012 as well. Thank you for your clarity and encouragement. Happy New Year!

Linda O'Connell said...

Your posts leave us energized and enthusiastic. Hope, you are like a shot of bourbon with the right amount of kick.

Yesenia said...

Loved your tip about seeing the first of every month as a time to refocus on goals. I'll definitely be keeping that in mind.

Hope Clark said...

Yep - a shot of bourbon is a good idea, actually. LOL

Unknown said...

Yoga teacher, new year, all the good vibes ,we're on the same page.
Bravo.