Tags
discipline, Goals, Journaling, New Year Resolutions, WIP, Writing
I’ve done lots of journaling and filled lots of books over the past 30 or so years. Writing or wanting to be a writer has been a central theme, of course. But another common subject I journaled about were my two main excuses for not taking my writing seriously. The first was the topic of my previous post – that I was not “crazy enough” to tap into my creativity, but my second excuse was about my lack of discipline.
Image courtesy of Jomphong / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
What is discipline?
Funny how #2 is about writing 🙂
There are just some things that I’m great at starting but not so much at following through with — exercising on a regular basis, learning to cook and writing come to mind. Except somehow, this time, I got it. I found the discipline. I’m not sure how it happened. I don’t know when it happened. I’m not sure I even realized that it happened, but it did.
It wasn’t until recently, when talking to a friend about completing the second draft of my WIP that it hit me. Well actually she said it to me. I told her how excited I was that I had written over 100,000 words (went up from first draft because I added scenes) and her response was a surprise to me:
I admire your discipline.
Image from Flickr, Jason Eppink
Fizz … Sizzle … DING *hear the sizzling of that light bulb turning on?* Yeah, that was me.
I have discipline? Huh, I guess I do. I mean I wrote my WIP mostly on Mondays (my day off from the day job), using the rest of the week to see and develop scenes. That’s probably not the quickest approach, but I did it Monday after Monday, month after month, for the past year … that is discipline. It took a friend to point it out to me and I’m glad she did because it helped me get rid of the other excuse I had for not following through with my writing.
New Year’s Resolution
I’m not big on resolutions. I don’t make them anymore because I found, early on, that soon after New Year’s I’d forget about them (you know, exercise everyday, eat right, write a book). But early last year I set a goal of no more video games and more writing and I did it. So this year, call it a resolution or not, I plan to continue to pursue the goal of more writing. And seeing that we are just about to celebrate the new year, seems as good a time as any to put that goal out there.
Now, let me take a moment to wish you all a very happy and safe New Year!!! See you in 2013 🙂
Image courtesy of Kittikun Atsawintarangkul / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
What about you, do you set New Year’s resolutions? If you do, what do you think your chances are for following through with them?
Writing Pieces of Me 
I don’t make resolutions, but I do try to set some goals. I’ve outlined my 2013 plan for my WIP, and by setting concrete dates on when I want to have such and such done, I’m usually disciplined enough to meet them. But life can get in the way, so I leave room for flexibility. 🙂
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Sounds to me like you have a great amount of discipline. I like the idea of setting goals – but I don’t usually set “concrete” dates. Mine are more like “in around xxx months.” Maybe I need to be more specific 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! Happy New Year!
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Yes, I do like specificity. 🙂 Happy New Year to you, too!
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Like Carrie, I’m more likely to set a few goals instead of resolutions. I won’t give them away here because they’re the subject of Saturday’s post. 😉 I also find birthdays are a good day to set goals for the next year. I think the key is not to get carried away. We’re more likely to be successful by setting fewer, more meaningful goals.
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I think calling them resolutions is exciting at first, as everyone shares what they’ve decided on, but after a few weeks the excitement fades. I think setting goals will work better for me. By the way, can’t wait to read your post on Saturday to see what you’ll be working towards in 2013. 🙂 Happy New Year!
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Awesome, Arlene! I love the goals idea vs resolution! Seems more manageable somehow! 😉
Can’t wait to read more about your WIP and to congratulate you when it’s published!
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Thanks so much Denise! Wow, hearing you even mention publishing is pretty awesome. Of course, it’s the ultimate goal, but I think I’ve got a LONG way to go before I get there. But, that’s part of why I started the blog – to practice, get better and have my goals out there so I can hold myself accountable. Still, it’s really cool to hear you say that, so THANKS. 🙂
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You’re welcome! It does seem like a long, daunting process, doesn’t it? I have a couple of friends who are steps ahead of me and they say if they can do it, so can I. So…I keep telling myself “I think I can, I think I can…” 😉
Your blog is awesome, and it’s really great you have publishing goal, too!
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I do the same resolution every year, reiterate every time I get drunk, repeat it every time I nearly get run over by a car and don’t (as a way of saying thanks to the entity upstairs). My resolution is simple. 500 words a day, minimum. I base my life around this 500 words. If I’ve done it, it was a good day, even if an asteroid hit upstate NY and took out my favorite bagel store (this has, thankfully, yet to happen). If I fail (which I almost never do, and haven’t in recent memory), then I torture myself. Like that guy in the DaVinci code. I get naked and beat myself with a pillow. Not a soft pillow, but a heavy one, Whack, whack, whack! 500+ per day. It’s the rule I live by. That and with (a normal human range of power) comes great responsibility (and angst and guilt).
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500 words a day? That is impressive! I just a look at your blog and it looks like its full of great info. I will be taking a longer look and following, so thanks for stopping by here. And I appreciate the bar you set, gives me something to strive for (eventually) 🙂
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Just what exactly honestly influenced you to create “Finding
Discipline Writing Pieces of Me”? I actuallygenuinely loved it!
Thanks ,Rebbeca
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Congrats! I smiled reading this. I love the moment of epiphany, where you step back from the sequence of little moments to see the mosaic they have created. More than that, even, I love witnessing the rush folks can get when they realize not only tht they can do it, but that they already have. 😀
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Deborah, you’re right, it is a rush. You work at something for so long and then you come up for air and look back and realize you’ve accomplished so much. It’s a great feeling! Thanks for the comment and stopping by! 🙂
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