Success: The New Approach Works!

As you guys know, I'm approaching my goals a different way this year. By creating a chore and create box, I've forced myself to have concrete deadlines for my goals every day. I have 24 hours finish two items: one is a chore, one is creative.

We're 22 days into January, and right on time, I finished all the chores in my chore box. Time to rinse and repeat, but since I'm trying to be more creative in all aspects of my life, I decided to do a quick photoshoot. The idea was to have a portrait with my head in the middle of an arch of things I've accomplished thus far.

Of course, Gerty had other plans. He said, "This looks like a good place to flop." Flop. Stretch. Roll. Lick paw. Look at the camera with a "What?" face.

I feel proud of myself for sticking to my plan and accomplishing a lot more than in previous months. I take one day at a time, and I do a little bit every day. This year has been a lesson in consistency, and so far, so good.

A photo posted by R. A. Desilets (@radesilets) on Jan 22, 2016 at 1:38pm PST

I'm 15% through editing The End Diary (read the first two chapters for free), I've started writing two new books (Ferals and Shrinking Violet (In a Blue Moon #.01)), and I've read four novels. I have a long way to go, but two of my books are in the last round of querying. This means, results of querying pending, I should have at least two more books out this year. The End Diary should be published this year as well. Lots to do, but I'm working every single day!

2012 Goals

2011 was a successful year:

• Finished my first manuscript
• Did a rough edit of my first manuscript
• Participated in my first NaNoWriMo and won my first
• Finished my second manuscript
• Met a lot of awesome writers and received a lot of amazing feedback
• Got married
• Had my best friend and her new boyfriend move in (also my brother-in-law)

Writing Goals for 2012:

• Complete the #500WIP Challenge (set forth by Cara Michaels) - Write 500 words a day, every day
• Find an agent (or at least query all the agents on my "top" list for my first manuscript)
• Edit my second manuscript 
• Midway through the year (June or July) query those same agents for my second manuscript (if none picked up the first, that is)
• Finish the following manuscripts:
• Rioss Book One
• Kingdom of Obsession
• A Good Criminal Heart
• 2042
• Edit and package Rioss to be queried in the fourth quarter of the year

Personal Life Goals for 2012:

• Find a day job where I work directly with people and/or animals:
• USC, UCLA, or a college position (student services, student housing, student life, etc.)
• Dog trainer, dog walker, kennel worker, etc.
• Finish a few crafting projects
• Sewing/redesigning the purple dress
• Create and sell more light switch plates
• Finish my Legend of Zelda painting
• Finish the tree of life painting
• Finish the sunset painting

Reading Goals for 2012:

• Create one monthly giveaway each month
• Participate actively in the To Be Read Pile Challenge
• Read at least three books a month

I tend to think big and set my hopes high for each year.  But I'm hoping that I can come back to this list and keep myself on track.  It helps that I'm now part of certain groups that will hold me accountable (like #WIP500 and TBR Pile Challenge).

And of course, my ultimate goal:  Enjoy every minute of it.  So far so good.