Thursday, January 13, 2011

"To Do List" or "Goals" by DL Larson

Last night I attended the WindyCity RWA meeting. It has been several months since I was able to make a meeting, and just as usual, I was greeted with friendly faces and a warm welcome. The topic was "setting obtainable goals," something all of us need to focus on. I confess I'm a list maker, so setting goals feels more like completing my "to do" list. And that's okay.

I let my fingers write as my mind wanders and before long I have a list of tasks before me. My current list is a mixture of writing goals, personal obligations as well as my library tasks. My mind zips from one aspect of my life to another with lightning speed. It is my quirky way of getting organized.

My list this week:

- check the lyrics/artists in my wolf book to comply with music standards
- work on POV in chap. 4 of my historical, bk 3
- return 2 shirts I ordered
- mail baby cards to our friends
- get cotton balls and glue for storytime at the library
- add edit changes in synopsis of historical, bk 3
- finish cleaning the basement
- give 2 hours to WIP by the end of this week, wolf bk 3 - deadline May 20, 2011
- call kids about this weekend
- check e-mail - allow 10 minutes only
- check ___, ____, ____ publishers website
- decide if I want to enter the historical writing contest - deadline Feb. 1st.
- blog

My goals are mixed in with my work list. It's gratifying to be able to scratch out a few items as the week progresses. The remaining items on the list remind me to make the time to work on my priorities rather than wander about my office contemplating, also known as wasting time on which hurdle I should tackle today. The list is right there, I've already set my goals. It's now time to act on them. It's time to put my butt in the chair and get to work!

I suggest you do the same ~ get to work that is!!

Til next time ~

DL Larson

3 comments:

Morgan Mandel said...

Each day I'm setting goals specific to the particular day. I'm trying not to overwhelm myself. There's lots to be done. Even though I have more free time since I'm not working now, there's still only so much I can accomplish in one day.

Today was cashing in my loose change at the bank, which netted me about $48.00!

Also, registering with IDES so I can certify on Monday that I've been unemployed. That has to be done every other Monday, but this coming Monday will be the first time I do it.

Do some work on my WIP.

If I get over-ambitious, I might even update my website.

Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com

Helen Ginger said...

You are so much more organized than I am. I keep a running list of things I need to do - and take joy in marking them off, one by one.

Deb Larson said...

That's why I make a list - so I can cross something off and wallow in the feeling of "well done, DL!"
Thanks for stopping by!

DL Larson