Goals and methods 2023

At the beginning of 2022, I set my goals for the year differently:  All my goals were time-based. Instead of “publish a book and lose five kilos” I went with “Spend x number of hours a week on <each activity>”.

Whilst I still think this is great in theory, it didn’t work for me. I could guarantee I put my arse in this chair at this desk for a certain number of hours. I could even turn on a tracker to lock my phone and keep me honest. But I couldn’t guarantee that no one would interrupt me or that I’d remain focused. Work-wise, I found it nearly impossible to switch tasks, so the idea that I’d work on my epic fantasy in the morning and my YA in the afternoon never amounted to anything and hurt my productivity.

Outside of work, time-based goals landed better. I discovered that an hour a day for housework is the sweet spot – more than that I won’t maintain it, less and I can’t live here. Knowing how long things take or need to makes it so much easier to run a home and small business. In 2022, I learned how much time an average couple put into their relationship and how much I want to be investing in mine.

Overall, it was a useful exercise, and I’ll continue using time as a guide for things like exercise, relationships, and hobbies, but not for my major yearly goals. This year I’ll break my tasks into months so I’m not trying to force myself from one mindset to another.

My work goals for this year are:

• Publish the Ferryman, book 5 in my Wicce series.
• Finish the first draft of my epic fantasy novella and give it a name. (April and July, Camp NaNo)
• Draft the Last Namesake, Wicce book 7. (NaNoWriMo)
• Produce a paperback of my free novella, Celtic Dreamer.
• Sign paperbacks at an in-person event.

My home goals:

• Spend three evenings a week hanging out with Deer Heart.
• Practice witchcraft (with a full circle) once a month.
• Resume therapy, gaining skills to be a better parent and overall person.
• Get my teeth fixed.
• Enjoy and document my medical transition.
• Take a family holiday to a new location.
• Read 50 books!

But what’s your word of the year?!

Well, that is the question!

Last year my word was Adventure and it did guide and inspire my decisions. I loved that my word encompassed every aspect of my life and benefited my family. I’m leaning toward my word this year relating to my previous blog about holidays, somehow. Something community-service orientated. I’ll keep you posted about that.