So far 2020 has been hit or miss

I’m the type who likes to set ambitious goals. Really ambitious. I do this for two reasons: to push myself to achieve more and, clearly, I’m insane and enjoy punishing myself.

To help keep me motivated, I’ve decided to share my progress once a month. Accountability is a great motivator for me. And, stickers. I loooooveee stickers.

Okay, I’m going to dive in.

On the writing front:

My first goal is to publish 5 books. As of writing this post, one book is with the editor, and I hope to publish it in the spring. Now, I just need to write and publish 4 more in 11 months. Easy peasy. (I’m hearing maniacal laughter in my head.)

My second big goal is to outline before diving into a book. Just last week, I set aside five days to outline 2 books, and I made enough progress to start on one of the books with most of an outline. Obviously, I need to devote more time to this goal, or I’ll end up writing 30k of backstory again. Deleting that many words was a painful experience, hence the need for this goal.

On the business side of being an author:

I set out to schedule and prep my blog posts and newsletters better so I wasn’t always doing them at the last minute. So far in 2020, this has been an epic fail. I’m crafting this post (when I finish this, I plan to write a newsletter) the day before publishing. This isn’t ideal. Not by a long shot.

Also, I want to revamp my author website site this year, and I haven’t even touched a page yet. Moving on.

On the health front:

I wanted to increase my daily activity. To help me keep track, I got a fancy fitbit. And, I set it up on January 6th. Better late than never. Then, the third week of the month, I forgot to wear it for 4 days. Whoops! However, I’ve logged over 75 miles, and one day I walked more than 22,000 steps, so it hasn’t been a complete failure. Now, my fitbit is saying I need 124 more steps before the end of the hour. It’s a bossy thing…

Okay, I’m back. Where was I? Oh, yes, my left shoulder is in bad shape from hunching over a laptop for long hours, and I’ve been going to massages to help ease the constant pain. These aren’t the relaxing type of treatments. They’re the hold on to the sides of the table, wishing the 60 minutes were over kind. I’ve been staying consistent with them, but I’m just realizing I need to make my next appointment. I’ll be right back…

Whew, appointment made.

Now that I’ve framed my progress for January, I’m seeing I have much work to do, but I have made progress. I like to celebrate wins, even tiny ones.

So, I’m going for a walk to enjoy the sunshine, even if it’s only barely above freezing. After I bash out my newsletter, of course.

If you’d like to hear Clare Lydon and I discuss our 2020 goals, listen to the Lesbians Who Write episode. Click here.

How are your 2020 goals going?

About TBM

TB Markinson is an American who's recently returned to the US after a seven-year stint in the UK and Ireland. When she isn't writing, she's traveling the world, watching sports on the telly, visiting pubs in New England, or reading. Not necessarily in that order. Her novels have hit Amazon bestseller lists for lesbian fiction and lesbian romance. She cohosts the Lesbians Who Write Podcast (lesbianswhowrite.com) with Clare Lydon. TB also runs I Heart Lesfic (iheartlesfic.com), a place for authors and fans of lesfic to come together to celebrate lesbian fiction.
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10 Responses to So far 2020 has been hit or miss

  1. Impressive goals! (Especially the publishing-five-books one…wow! You’re definitely off to a great start by having one with an editor already.) Best of luck with all of ’em!

  2. Podbean Shelly says:

    It is impressive what you do each week. You do The IHL, the LWL with Clare Lydon, write, edit, blog, audiobooks and exercise. I’m pooped just reading about it! As an avid reader I appreciate all your efforts as an author. I believe you can accomplish the goals you have set and I hope you know you have a very supportive group out here cheering you on.

  3. Michael Wells says:

    Great goals! I hope make them

  4. Donna J Eick says:

    I love your hat! I was born in Stoneham just outside Boston and even though we moved south when I was 4 the Sox are high on my list.

    Good Job on your walking! I’m proud of you, I was doing great for a couple of years was up to 4 miles a day when my dog(walking companion) slipped away when he was off leash and was hit and killed this past fall. My goal was to get another dog after the holidays and I haven’t made it to the animal shelter yet therefore I’m not walking. Hmmm…. getting a dog means I have no more excuses for not walking ;o)

    Good luck on your writing 5 books! I admire anyone who can sit down and write for a living.

    Have a great day,
    dj

  5. Patty Anderson says:

    Wow you walked 75 miles. Impressive!

    Personally my year has been a little off. In January my wife was in the hospital for 4 days. First time for everything. We have been together 33 years! For me, I am trying to read more and do more pen and ink drawings.

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