Monday, January 7, 2013

A goal without a plan...

Ahem. *Clears throat*

First blog post for 2013 and my voice feels a little rusty. Doesn't take much to get out of the habit, now does it?

I've used my two weeks off to think long and hard about my goals for this year.

Actually, that's a lie. I've used my two weeks off to drink wine, hang out with friends and family, take my boys to the beach, finish my experimental children's book manuscript, eat too much, open presents, visit the Alexander the Great exhibition at the Australian Museum, do a little shopping, read several books and, for the most part, not think about goals of any description.

But that first sentence sounded much more impressive, right?

The truth is that I do need to clarify my thoughts about what I'd like to achieve this year. I am even considering dragging out the butcher's paper and drawing a mind map or something. I have friends who do this on a regular basis and it seems to work well for them. My goals tend to be along the lines of 'I might write a book this year' or 'Maybe I'll try... X'. This approach has also worked quite well for me, but I feel as though I lost my way a bit in 2012. Too much waft. Not enough outcome.

So my goal for 2013, at this stage, can be clarifed as such: "Work smarter, not harder."

Quite how I will manage this is yet to be decided. But I'm going to talk to some people, make some decisions, Google stuff. You know. Because I know that a goal without a plan is a dream. Even if I don't know who first said that.

I've got some amazing things happening this year - my first novel, Talk of The Town, is on its way, for starters, and I'll be speaking at two different conferences later in the year. As far as the Fibro is concerned, I'm hoping to bring back the Facebook chats, bring you more industry information and writing tips, and write a post about the dust on my sideboard (just for Jodi). Bet you can't wait!

I'm moving into my fourth year of blogging at the Fibro and, you know what, I think this might be the best year yet!

So tell me, do you have a goal for 2013? And what's your plan to achieve it?

photo credit: Jungle_Boy via photopin cc

26 comments:

  1. I'm exactly the same way. Planning is NOT my forte. My main goal for 2013 is to write every day, so I've set a minimum of 100 words a day. I know it sounds like a ridiculously small number, but I wanted a simple goal that I can reach at the end of a long day filled with lectures, studying and work. Hopefully, I'll exceed the goal a couple of times! =P

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    1. That sounds to me like a very sensible goal. 100 is manageable, not too scary and will add up to 36500 by the end of the year! If you're trying to fit your writing in around all those other things, I think it's perfect. Good luck!

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  2. I'm not much of one for making goals....I'm likely to forget what they were by February.
    I'll keep it simple...I'm going to try and get off my butt and actually DO all those things I've been meaning to do and FINISH all those things I've already started!

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  3. It's a beautifully simple game when you are unemployed (the good ship Burke's sinks out of sight with our March issue, sniff).
    My brilliant plan for 2013 is to actively look for work for the first time since (thinks back beyond last three jobs, all of which obtained by word-of-mouth/friends in the industry)... since... 1979! A Lotto win would be rather handy now, tho, but I guess that's not any kind of recognised 'plan', is it?

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    1. I think the world is crying out for a good, basic gardening website Jamie - I know people who are anyway...

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  4. Yes, I know Allison, but will I be able to live on the $5.75 per week income that it will probably generate?

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    1. You may need to supplement for a while, but I reckon you'd be up to $35 a day in no time... ;-)

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  5. I'm an over-planner. Have been since uni days. Research, maps, flow charts, breakdowns... whoa, it's due tomorrow? ALL-NIGHTER!
    It always seemed to yield results, but I'm thinking I should show some maturity and give things a little more thought these days.

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    1. Perhaps you'd like to pop round and do my mind map for me? Am sure we would both benefit from that! I don't mind if we leave it to the last minute... I definitely work better that way!

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  7. I have no idea what I'm doing!!! Ahhhh technology! I love goals! I am not good at sticking to them though! My goal is to blog often and blog well! Looking forward to following more fibro adventures!

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  8. PHEW! I can see it now! I have a new goal now, learn how to use the computer!!!!

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  9. My revised goal for 2013 is to read Life in a Pink Fibro.

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  10. Great first post :) Just wrote my first blog post for 2013, you are spot on- doesn't take much to get out of the habit! Love your blog and look forward to reading more posts in 2013! Working on a manuscript too, so your expertise and inspiring posts are much needed!

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  11. I am so excited about your book. Just that by itself is a Very. Big. Deal for 2013.

    As for me, I have assiduously avoided making goals this year. It appears I am 'right where I want to be' so I am trying to enjoy that for a little while ... at least until little Miss Exeter makes her appearance in this world!

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  12. My goal is to not be so intimidated by all your fabulous posts and your followers posts. (a newbie to blogging)

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  13. Can't wait for your book Al and for your famous Facebook chats - where I unlearn all the mistakes I continually make in my brave new world of freelancing. Welcome back, and happy travels through 2013!

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  14. Having a plan is the best first step you can make.
    On NYE, hubs and I wandered over to the beach with a bottle of Bollinger, and talked about our (business) plans for the next 12 months, 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years.
    We talked a little about personally, but mostly it was for the business, because until that's up and running, we don't have the time or money to do other things.

    But it didn't occur to me to do anything remotely similar with my blog! it's adrift at the moment.

    Thanks for the butt-kick.

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  15. A goal without a plan....I like it :)
    I can't wait for your book to be out. And I look forward to more of your writing tip posts {they always inspire & teach me}.
    Happy 2013 Allison.
    Claire x
    http://blog.scissorspaperrockdesigns.com.au/

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  16. I don't know if it was divine internention, technological serendipity, or sheer dumb luck...but in the last week of 2012, I took the advice of friends who were sick of reading my mini essays in my FB status updates, and started to blog instead. Bewildered, befuddled , and bemused by Blogger, when I set up my page thingy, 'Life in a Pink Fibro' popped up as a blog I was apparently already following. I don't know how, I don't know who, but it's fair to say that your page has been a compass in this verby ether. I've scoured your archives (to the detriment of house and family), and enjoy what you write about. Just found your FB link,looking forward to losing more of my time this year reading your words. So, thank you, and thanks to the internet fairy that brought me here (again, with too many words for a simple comment).

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  17. My goal for 2013 is to take each day as it comes, cause you don't know what will happen tomorrow.
    Please check out my blog and enter my competition.
    http://socialamore.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/social-amore-turns-1-giveaway.html

    Amanda xo

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  18. Keep sharing, Alison, as the year goes by, that's vital! I remember talking to you last Jan and saying that what I was going to do when the twins went to school was to go straight to the pub and stay there.

    This year's goal is totally different, it's to stay sober all year. Possibly brought on by last year's goal.

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  19. I'm just getting to my blogschool homework but goals for 2013 are to 1) try new things, 2) guest blogpost, 3) do a photo series 52/2013, 4) write more and 5) be kind to myself with now two little people to look after and love. And finally laugh more sometimes I'm just to serious.
    Www.PoppyFoxathome.com

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  20. I can't wait for your book Al! And another year at the Fibro and all you have to share :)

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  21. Four years of blogging that is inspiring in itself! I have bought Leonie Dawson's 'Incredible Life' and 'Incredible Business' ebook 2013 planners Now all I have to do is actually use them!!

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