Wednesday, January 6, 2016

IWSG: Follow Through!

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is a community of writers who love to share ideas and encourage others.  It's a great place to express doubts and concerns as well as offer and receive tribulations and guidance from other writers. IWSG posts the first Wednesday of every month.  I think you'll find it to be a great writer's resource that's well worth your time.  Be sure to stop by and visit with some of the other IWSG writers/bloggers at IWSG Members.


Many thanks to our awesome January IWSG Hosts:
L.G. Keltner  http://lgkeltner.blogspot.com/

Follow Through:

Can you believe it?  It's January 6, 2016!  Time Flies whether you're having fun or not!  Realizing that 2015 is history makes my head spin.  Another year that came and went like a whirlwind.

January is a great time to reflect and also to regroup.  I've given some thought to the things I did and did not accomplish in 2015, along with the reasons why or why not.  There are some obvious reasons why I didn't accomplish all my goals (both writing & otherwise) . . . the continuing illness of a family member being one of the big reasons.  But rather than focus on the reasons why I can't check off on all my goals in 2015, I want to focus on what I can do - what comes next.  What can I do better in 2016?

While reading back through my December IWSG article, Exercising the Mind, Body, Soul . . . & Writing Muscle, I was suddenly struck with a simple thought - two words:  Follow Through! All I need to do to get where I want to be is follow through.  My goals are in place.  My plan and schedule are set.  I have a good support group.  I have all the things I need to achieve my goals if I just follow through with my plan.  Will there still be obstacles?  Yes.  Will life still throw curveballs?  Absolutely.  But for me, the bottom line remains the same . . . I need to work harder at Following Through in 2016.  I need to put my plan in action, push forward, dig a little deeper, and make it happen.  The decision is mine.  The ball is in my court.  I can either play it through or sit back and watch 2016 fly by without accomplishing my goals.  Let the game begin!  Put me in coach - I plan to Follow Through!

How about you?  Will you follow through with your plans and goals in 2016?  How will you make it happen for you?



14 comments:

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Refocusing on what you can do instead of what didn't happen last year is really healthy and will get you where you want to go much faster than the latter. I really like your statement about put me in coach - I'll follow through. I'm going to remember that as I turn back to my manuscript today to begin writing for the first time this year. Thanks! All the best you during 2016!

Sandra Hoover said...

I came to realize that all the plans in the world won't help you get where you want to be if you don't Follow Through with them. It's a simple realization, but one that I need to focus on 2016. I'm ready to return to my current w-i-p also . . . and Follow Through! Thanks for dropping by, S.A. Hope you have a fantastic 2016!

Nancy Gideon said...

Just like golf (which I can't claim to play!) it's all in the follow through-the force that gives the drive direction. Swing for the stars, Sandra!!

Anonymous said...

Well said! You can wish and plan and dream all you want, but if you don't put it into action, you'll see very little results. This sounds like the start to a great 2016 for you!

Happy New Year!
C.G.

Chrys Fey said...

Sometimes, doing the simplest thing, like following through, will help us reach our goals. I need to also follow through on a few things. I plan to send out so many queries that I make the publishing world dizzy. ;)

Happy 2016!!! I hope it's a great year for you.

Sandra Hoover said...

I'm definitely not a golfer either! haha But I do plan to perfect my Follow Through! This is the year! Thanks, Nancy. I have learned so much from you. Many thanks for being such a positive role model.

Sandra Hoover said...

So true - nothing wrong with wishing & hoping, but it takes "action" to get it done! I plan to work hard to make it a great year! Thanks for stopping by today.

Sandra Hoover said...

Great plan, Chrys! Blanket publishers with those queries! I hope you get positive results from the right publisher for you! Happy 2016! Thanks for visiting with me today.

Crystal Collier said...

Follow through is never my problem. It's energy or time. So many things to focus on and only so much brain energy to go around... I suppose it's the stage of life.

Stephanie Faris said...

Follow through can be tough. I think it's about making a point to work at it every day and trying not to miss a day--but forgiving ourselves when we do!

Loni Townsend said...

I'm horrible at follow through. But maybe this will be the year for it!

Sandra Hoover said...

So many things demand our attention nowadays...it's hard to focus on just one task. I sure have to work on it!

Sandra Hoover said...

I agree, Stephanie. Guilt can be such a downer . . . much better to regroup and try again. Thanks for stopping by. Happy 2016!

Sandra Hoover said...

That's what I'm hoping for, Loni! Here's to a better, more productive 2016!