The exciting thing about beginnings is their novelty. Novelty draws us in. We like new things, as a culture, if not a species.
That’s the attraction of a new year. There is a clear opportunity to start over again. We can do things that we’ve never done before. We can promise ourselves we’ll kick an old habit, start a new one, change our stripes, or acquire some kind of skill.
New Year’s is mother of all promises. I can hear the string now…
“I-will-learn-do-be-all-the-things-I-never-thought-could-be-do-because-now-I-have-a-fresh-start!”
Bullshit.
Yes, the new year is symbolic, but if you didn’t do it before – if you never committed before, then why would this be different?
That is, unless you’re building on something from before.
I’m not big on resolutions (thus: bullshit) BUT I do believe that intention combined with commitment, planning, and support offers the highest possibility for success in any endeavor. I believe symbolic actions and times increase an intention by increasing its focus. These elements add weight and heft to a plan. They offer specific beginnings (or endings). These pieces give structures to intentions – transforming them from nebulous wants into plans with specific goals that can be achieved (or not).
I say all this because I believe in planning. I believe in pursuing things with abandon. I believe in leaping. That’s why I planned out my week’s work in advance (see: The Essential Author Log, or the free writing tools for my newsletter subscribers). It’s why I selected pub dates in advance for all my books this year.
I’m a little nervous about this, to be honest, but I’m also excited. I’m conducting experiments through this process – trying some new things to see how they work.
I’ll post everything as I go throughout 2016, because I like the accountability. Also, I think it’s helpful to get insight into others’ practices etc.
With this in mind, here’s this week’s docket:
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Editing – manuscripts (2) and submission entries (3)
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Rewriting – see above
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Graphic design – cover art adjustments & mock-ups
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Formatting – manuscripts
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Marketing letters (3 templates) – for prospectives in a variety of areas
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and of course, blogging. 😀
I’m confident in my ability to get everything done, and I’m sure you will too (especially with solid planning).
Here’s to a productive start of 2016!
Alexis
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