Can you believe it’s the middle of January already? Can you believe it’s 2020? Where does the time go?
I took time off from blogging around the holidays, but now it’s time to get back to routines. Looking back at my first blog from last year, I talked about New Year’s resolutions. I tried a new system using a vision and a mission with very specific goals. The vision is the big picture of what I want to accomplish. The mission is how the vision will happen. The mission includes specific small steps to track progress and taking time to reevaluate/reenergize along the way. I don’t know what you want to accomplish this year, but maybe give this technique a try. My system didn’t work perfectly, but it was actually better than I expected. I’m happy with what I accomplished last year. By the second half of the year I noticed my efforts were generating more responses from agents, including requests to see the full manuscript. That was definite progress.
Here’s my example: My vision is to get my book published through the traditional publishing route. (Nothing wrong with self-publishing, but my dream has always been to get in print through a publishing house that will get my book into bookstores, libraries, various stores like Costco and Walmart, as well as doing online sales.) So, how do I get my book published? I have to get a literary agent. Therefore, my mission is to get a literary agent. (To get published traditionally, the normal route is to get an agent first – a tough thing to do. They are very selective. An agent will only take on your book if they LOVE it and believe in its ability to sell. That’s because they work for free to find the publisher, only getting paid IF they sell it. Publishers know that if an agent has taken on a book, they’ve already screened it. The book has already jumped the first hurdle successfully. Agents also already know what publishers would be interested in my book. So, first I must find the right agent.) Now for the specific steps. What must I do to get an agent? I’ve already done many steps toward that, but here are my specific steps for this year. Step 1: Continue sending query letters to agents, a minimum of 10 per month. Step 2: Every other week review what queries and manuscripts are out (and follow up). Notice how specific these are.
If I find an agent, I know they will want another book on the way. Therefore, I also have a second mission: to work on book number two. I started it last year but only just started it. The steps? Take time to to daydream about the characters and story. And write! I’m setting a goal of at least 40 pages by the end of February. Hopefully I can do more, but at the early stages it sometimes goes slow as I work out the details and plot.
This technique can work on most goals – losing weight, getting healthier, getting organized, learning a new skill. Maybe you want to travel more, save more, read more. Making a plan to get to your end goal will help you be more successful than just wishing it would happen. Want to join in? Think about your vision for 2020. (Ah! I didn’t even plan that pun on 20/20 eyesight and vision! But now that I did, my husband was kind enough to make me the 2020 graphic above.) It’s a great year to see your goals clearly! Figure out your mission(s). And lastly, write down the specific steps to completing your mission. In a few months, let’s review how we’re doing together. I believe just having the goals set and reevaluating them helped me accomplish more last year than I would have otherwise. Drop me a note here if you’re going to try it. I hope you find success in all you do this year!
Robin