This post actually began in 2002, when I wrote a five-year vision for my life and the changes I wanted to make if possible. It expires this year (smile). Time for an update! I wrote the update over the holidays. I once heard someone say about a vision, "Do you have one?" "Does it show?" That's how I feel about visions: it more important that it shows in action than that it be published. I wonder if people could guess what was in my 2002 - 2008 vision?
Goals, now those are a different story. They should be clear, written down, often shared. I write them every year. I've learned that when I write more than 5, they are not "goals," they are a "to do list." (My blogger friend Helen reminded me of this as we walked together last Saturday.) And even with only five goals, the first one or two are usually the most important.
So here I share the first one and a symbol for it. It's how I want to feel about my year at the end. The other four will come later!
1. Ensure I allow creative time to read, write and relax so that my mind and spirit can explore - 4-5 hours per week and one day for me per month. This is part of who I am that I don't always take seriously enough.
When I really look at it, I realize that the hours I spend writing and reading are the hours in which I find my voice, my ideas, my next steps. When, as during September - December last year, I let action lists squeeze out this space, I lose my centeredness, my best inspirations, and if it goes on too long, my enthusiastic voice. One Friday night in December, my frayed edges showed such that I sat at my desk crying and simply could do no more work. Or anything. Fortunately, my friend Peter stood by my side to help me. (More on the friends and relationships in goal #2!). But this is my responsibility in the end to manage. I was surprised that -- even when living a lifestyle with no travel -- I let this happen.
So this year, I will find several hours every week, most weekends and one day a month for my creative time. I will not work weekends unless absolutely required by deadline. And I will write most days. As professional writers all know, excellent writing results from culivating your voice via discipline, not just spontaneous creative pursuit. I will blog at least once a week and I'm adding photos to the blog via flickr (more on that also to follow) because I think the visuals are an important part of the story and I want to add new ideas to the blog. I will write the rest of the essays for my next collection (I wrote the first essay last August and outlined the rest...but there they halted.) So for exampole, in February, I'm going one week to Zermatt for a writing sabbatical. I found two special places I like around Zurich to rest, read and think. I will write also with my business partner, Sandra, because we have some ideas that need a voice, too. Let's see what happens when I treat my creativity as a real part of my life that needs to be nurtured.
Good luck, sounds like an excellent writing plan and I will lend you "Bird by Bird" because it is an excellent book about writing and life!
Posted by: Helen Palmer | January 27, 2008 at 04:49 PM