Normally, I say if you're going to make a goal, make it attainable. But sometimes, we need to push ourselves. And so I've got a way out far out goal to accomplish by this weekend. I have to work the weekend after next, so this is it.
I want to reach the halfway point over the weekend on The Highland Wolf in Paradise.
I finished a third of the book by last weekend.
Is making it to the halfway point on the book by this weekend doable? Sure, if I write a 1,000 words a day and write 5,000 this weekend. I can do it. Can I write a 1,000 words a day when I have to work also? Sometimes.
I have 10,000 words to write this week. I wrote 10,000 the last two weeks, which is why I'm way ahead of schedule, and this book isn't due until Dec, I believe. Or maybe earlier. I can't remember. But I'm ahead of schedule anyway. But before I was thinking of a weekly word count goal, I was thinking I'd have the book done by the end of March. Not so. It wouldn't be finished until April.
And that's why I began making far out goals. I want it done by March. I have it in my head it's going to be done by March.
Will it be done by then?
Only time will tell.
Do you ever set impossible goals for yourself and attain them?
Terry
"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male."
www.terryspear.com
14 comments:
Hi Terry,
well good for you on your progress so far and your fantastic far out goals. I'm totally with you on that, I started NaNo 9 days later than everyone, then with 3 days before the end of the month, I lost 15k words! What a killer! I did what I could and still got my 'winner' status, I was so stoked.
Go for it Terry, set those far out goals and smash 'em! What a thrill!
Thanks, Nicola!!! I so agree! And boy, I would have been so upset to lose all those words. I've done that, and pout for days...still write, but pout too! :) Good for you on getting 'winner' status. I tried one year, but I was in the middle of writing a mss and then had edits to do on another book with a one-week deadline, so that was all she wrote. LOL!
You are an inspiration, Terry. One of my favorite quotes on goal setting is attributed to Michelangelo. "The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss
it, but that it is too low and we reach it." :) Good luck reaching your goal!!
LOL, I love it, Dawn! That's a terrific quote to pin on the wall!!! Thanks for sharing!
Terry, thanks for reminding us to reach for the distant stars.
I've been guilty of setting my sights too low. Today I'll add a far out goal to my 2011 list!
Hi, Sheila!
Good for you! That's just the way to go!!! And when you accomplish it, you'll be on top of the world!
I would rather almost reach an impossible goal than reach one I didn't bother to make high enough.
I agree, Jill!
Terry, I've always believed that you should go for whatever you can dream. I mean why not? Until you actually give it a shot, you really just never know if you can do it or not.
There's a quote I heard in an old Nike commercial that I never forgot...The man who thinks he can, and the man who thinks he can't are both right.
Oh, I so agree, Angela! That's a super quote from Nike too!!! I love it. :)
Terry,
First, your goals are fantastic, especially the fact that you attain them, even working ahead of schedule. I set goals all the time. I'm a slow writer, but hopefully getting better all the time.
Hey, Joanne!
I'm working on the last 800 words to make the halfway point!!
Thanks!! It truly does make a difference as far as whether we get the writing done or not. I'm amazed at how many other things distract me, until I just say enough, and concentrate on writing! Good luck with yours!!! May we all be way ahead of our goals, always!
Terry, You've given me something to ponder. Most of my impossible goals are long term. I usually very practical about the day to day. Perhaps I should try flipping it. Thanks for the insight. :)
You're so welcome, Clarissa! I actually only have 21,000 words left now. It's amazing how reaching the midway point, and working toward 10,000 words a week did it. I've already actually written 9,000 this week (I work full time) and I hope to at least get another 7,000 done this weekend because I'm off. Oooh, to be in the teens! Then I'll have written THE END and the fun is layering and revising and making it great!
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