Sunday, January 13, 2019

SMART Goals for 2019 by Diane Burton




On January 1st, I posted about setting SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely.

In the comments here and on my post for Insecure WritersSupport Group, several people mentioned breaking down big projects into smaller more manageable goals. Mind you, sometimes parts of our goals depend on someone else. For my main goals, I have to depend on the time beta readers, my editor, and cover designer can get back to me.

So, as promised in my post, I’ve written out my SMART goals for this year.


Goal #1: Publish Rescuing Mara’s Father by March 31, 2019.
·         Final review and edit manuscript by Jan. 10
·         Contact cover designer by Jan. 15
·         Submit to beta readers by Jan. 20
·         Revise returned ms by Jan 30
·         Send to editor by Feb 5
·         Set up pre-order by Feb 28
·         Revise edited ms by Mar 15
·         Format ms for e-book and print book by Mar 24
·         Upload final ms by Mar 25
·         Rescuing Mara’s Father available for purchase on Mar 31

Goal #2: Develop promo plan by Mar 1
·         Promote Rescuing Mara’s Father on a minimum of 10 blogs by April 30, 2019
·         Set up blog tour by Mar 30
·         Write 10 blog posts by Mar 10
·         ???

Goal #3: Publish The Spy by Aug 15
·         (same breakdown with smaller goals as above)

Goal #4: Develop promotion plan for The Spy by July 15

Goal #5: Publish the 4th Alex O’Hara novel by Dec 15

As you can see, I’ve taken big goals and broken them down into smaller ones. Some items overlap, and I can do certain steps during “down” time (e.g., when the beta readers and the editor have the manuscript. As I see what promo I need to do for Rescuing Mara’s Father, I’ll use what works for the other works. Or, I’ll try other methods.


Am I being too ambitious? I’ve never published three full-length novels in one year. But, Rescuing Mara’s Father is completed and revised/edited. The Spy is half-written, and the 4th Alex O’Hara mystery needs 50k words. I think I have a shot at this.



Then again, maybe I’m expecting too much of myself. I need balance in my life. I have a family, grandchildren who need babysitting and/or would like my presence at their sports’ games and dance recitals. Even though Hubs is really understanding, he needs some of my time. We have vacations planned, vacations where it’s understood I leave the laptop home, willingly. LOL I need to refill that creative well with reading, movies, and other experiences.



Last April, I joined Weight Watchers. I lost 28 pounds by August. Then, I got negligent and, even though I attend meetings each week, I've gained back 8 of those pounds. I’m sure you’ve all heard of the yo-yo effect. I lose two, gain back one, or gain three, lose one, etc. If I let it, those pounds will continue to creep back on. With the new year, I’m determined to get back on track. So, here's my personal goal: I will lose 20 more pounds by April 1st. No fooling. 😊

I hope you have your goals for 2019 prepared. If my example helps, great. But I’m sure you’ve figured out a better way to kick off your career this year. Please share.

Good luck.





18 comments:

Nightingale said...

Another good post, Diane. Congratulations on meeting your goals and especially the Weight Watchers feat!

Connie Bretes said...

Good luck with your goals for this year, Diane. Now that they are broken down, I'm sure they will be more manageable.

Alicia Dean said...

Great post! Best of luck with your goals. I can see how breaking them down can make them more doable. Maybe I should try that.

Pamela S Thibodeaux said...

great post!
Good luck and God's blessings with your goals
PamT

Margo Hoornstra said...

Yep. You continue to inspire me. Best of luck with your many writing goals, I'm sure for you, are attainable. Even while you continue to be wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Maureen said...

Great goals! I'm with you on getting back on the WW wagon- although I fell off well over a year ago, lol. I've been thinking of how to outline my goals, so this is a great example. Thanks for sharing.

Alina K. Field said...

These are great goals, Diane, and I like the way you've broken down the details. Best of luck!

Diane Burton said...

Thanks so much, Linda.

Diane Burton said...

Thanks, Connie. I hope they are.

Diane Burton said...

Thanks, Alicia. This is the first time I've ever broken my goals down like this. I think it will help me, too.

Diane Burton said...

Thanks, Pam. As always I appreciate your blessings.

Diane Burton said...

Oh, Margo, you are so sweet. Thanks for your encouragement.

Diane Burton said...

Thanks, Maureen. Good luck with your goals. This isn't my first trip with WW, but I so want it to be my last, meaning I want to stick with it.

Diane Burton said...

Thanks, Alina. I hope they work for me.

Nancy Gideon said...

Great goals, Di. You gotta 'em! Me too, on WW. We'll encourage each other.

Diane Burton said...

All right, Nancy! I need encouragement. My daughter goes to the same meeting I do, so we keep each other accountable.

Re: career goals. I have so many ideas plus all those stories I wrote before being published. I'll have to live another life to publish all. So I have to get those stories out there.

Francesca Quarto said...

Diane, as much as I laud your goal setting, if my mind worked this way, it would surely break!
Best of luck in keeping your eye on the ball, while I'm busy trying to follow the path of my loose-footed Muse!

Francesca Q.

Diane Burton said...

LOL, Francesca. Everybody has to do what works best for them. I need goals to keep me on track. Otherwise I'd go off in all directions and never finish anything. Good luck with your writing.