The 3 R's...Reflect, Refocus, Renew

 Why a list of New Year's Resolutions?  It's July 2nd, and this year's half over...yes, this means 6 months behind us, 6 months ahead of us in 2014.  Where did the time go?  I have no idea but I do know I'm not where I had hoped to be in my goals for the year.  I have made headway on diet, exercise, & drinking more water.  I don't smoke or sleep late...I drink very little & already spend time with my family so these are non-issues for me.  I don't do Facebook but spend way too much time on other social media sites, and I will never get to sleep at a decent hour.  What does that mean anyway?  


While these are goals & resolutions I need to continue working on, my focus today is on my writing goals.  I made a resolution...a promise to myself...to finish my book in 2014.  I promised myself to write almost every day.  Just a page a day will net 365 pages in a year, that's close to an average book...any writer should be able to do that, right?  In reflecting on my year, I'm not even coming close to that.  Too many days pass with me not sitting down to write.  I promised myself to stop letting distractions and interruptions derail my writing schedule and stick to a writing routine.  They still waylay me too often.  I promised myself to stop editing as I write (Write Now, Edit Later) but I continue getting bogged down in rereading and rewriting as I go.  It's time to activate the 3 R's:  Reflect, Refocus, Renew!

• Reflect:  Take a little time to reflect on the first 6 months of the year.  What were your goals for 2014?  What's working for you?  What's not?  Do you have a plan for accomplishing your writing goals?  Are you on track?  Is your routine working?  Does it need tweaking?  Now's the time to take a good look at what you've accomplished in the first 6 months of this year. 

• Refocus:   Reclaim and redefine your writing goals.  Reevaluate where you've been and where you want to go in the next 6 months.  Revise your plan if it's not working for you.  Redefine your space and expectations and then refocus on them.  Be selfish!  Schedule your writing time first.  It's not too late to reach your goals in 2014!

• Renew:  What do you want to accomplish in the last 6 months of 2014?  It's time to get your eyes on the prize...to renew your energy and enthusiasm for writing.  Take some "me" time to rejuvenate your mind and body.  Know your own limits and then push them...expect more - don't settle for the same old, same old.  Learn when to say "No"...people will understand and families will survive a little while without you.  They may even learn to do some things for themselves!  Establish a routine, share it with your family,  set priorities and take control of the rest of this year!

I'm spending the day taking my own advice...I have reflected on the past six months, looking at what I've accomplished and what I didn't.  I'm refocusing on the plan I made with enthusiasm and good intentions in January.  Some of my expectations were unrealistic, plain and simple...they need tweaking.  But most of my goals were spot on, and I simply need to revise & reclaim them.  I'm not happy with what I've accomplished thus far in 2014 but by reviewing the last six months, I've learned where my weaknesses lie and am now establishing my plan of attack.  Focus and distractions are a big issue for me.  I must get a handle on them.  As Stephen Covey said, "You have to decide what your highest priorities are"...and "say 'no' to other things."  I'm working on that.  One thing I've learned is it's never too late.  It's time to Reflect, Refocus, & Renew in 2014 and move forward.  Christmas bells will be ringing before you know it, signaling the end of another year!  Will you be where you want to be in your writing career?

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