Have you heard the quote that a high percentage of people who write down their goals actually succeed? That’s only part of the secret to success. The other part: evaluating your progress.
It does you no good to write down detailed, measurable, attainable goals if you never check your progress and make adjustments. I used to avoid this step because, quite frankly, I hate failure. I made massive, impossible lists, and then I never wanted to see how little I actually accomplished, so I just worked like a busy bee and never sat down and really thought about what I was doing.
It’s much easier for me now because I have finally learned how to prioritize my lists. I still have an impossible amount I want to get done, but I’m really only going to be disappointed if I don’t accomplish my MUST DO items. That list is smaller, manageable, and easily evaluated.
For example, this week, my highest priority goal is to revise 100 pages of Return to Shanhasson. It’s measurable. It should be doable in one week. Just editing 20 pages a day will give me the weekend off if I so desire, and I already knew the opening was pretty solid, so I wasn’t going to have to rewrite massive sections.
Now last night before I went to bed, I evaluated my goal. I have 55 pages finished out of 100. I’m 55% done, I still have 3-5 days to work on this item, so I’m in really good shape.
Today, I have two choices.
- I can keep pushing forward on the revision and get it done quicker.
- I can take a look at my ROCKSTAR goals for the week and month to see if I want to get some progress done there.
Before each writing session today, I’ll take a quick look at my plan and see what I want to do. Tentatively, I’m shooting for another 10-20 pages of revisions today, but I’d also really like to get a first draft of Victor’s query letter prepared.
So take a few minutes and evaluate your progress. Are you on track? Do you need to speed up or allocate more time to your projects? Do you have a half hour to spare for a ROCKSTAR goal?
It took me two hours to even open my document and look at it. Today will be a revision slog, but I’m going to finish dammit!
My biggest problem with getting my goals accomplished has historically been that I am constantly revising my goals. You can never get goals accomplished if you keep changing them!
That said, I think I am on track. I have also picked up Holly Lisle’s “Busman’s Holiday” idea, and am giving myself Fridays to work on Rock Star goals no matter what the progress of the Main Goals. Hopefully that will keep me interested in all projects at once. 😉
I’m not good with goals. Even when I write them down, I don’t follow them. I’m a to do person. I start my week with a to do list. I’d like to be more consistent with writing goals but again, I have to approach it on a day to day basis. My explodes if I put down any detail.
Just thinking about your goals – and being conscious of them – will improve your chances of success! So don’t give up.
That’s a neat idea, Nicole. I just don’t like losing momentum in a project, but when I’m juggling multiple projects at the same time, that might be a good strategy.