down the writer's path

Do you write the New Year in?

Okay, okay, we all know January approaches and with it the annual decision: To goal or not to goal. Writers run the spectrum when it comes to this ritual. Where do you fall? I confess I practice a fairly extensive annual goal setting and year-end reflective writing. In fact, I like to write in the New Year.

My ritual consists of a fairly comprehensive review of the passing year. My focus is not limited to my writing life. I look at my mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, financial, and lifestyle areas. I also take a look at friends and family, recreation, and my creative life. Did I achieve my original goals? Did I adjust them as the months passed? How successful was I in the practice and commitment of my intentions? I also take a look at what things may have happened that either worked for or against the goals set in January. Did I complete any goals, projects, or major tasks? All of this I assess through writing. I do think there is something about setting my thoughts on paper or in a computer file that makes them more concrete. The writing definitely makes my thinking more specific. Because I do this annually, I can review what I wrote and often piggyback off of those thoughts. Since I take stock every 3 months during the year, I"ll often find notes reflecting on the progress at that point. It makes for an interesting couple of days when I do this. There's so much I often forget by the end of the year.

As I finish with the current year, my thoughts turn to the new one. What are my intentions? What do I want to accomplish during this new year? I tend to get very specific. No vague thoughts for me. My goals are clear and simple. I even break my major goals down into smaller subsets. This whole process is easy to do and really helps me get ready for the new year. I open a journal or a file and just start writing.

Today there are plenty of tools to guide you through the process and even help you with your goalsetting and with goal-related habit-making. I found one earlier today called Joe's Goals. It's a cool tracking program to help you initiate and instill your goals. It sets up in minutes. Here's mine.You can click on the badge to see them all.

Are you a gift-giving book lover?

Do you incorporate your love reading and writing into the holiday season? Are there any holiday rituals that you'd like to share? I confess I'm a crusty dragon of a gift giver who remains intent on keeping books at the top of my gift list for myself and for others. Yes, my grandchildren are into the videos and remain entranced for hours upon end but I continue to search for books, writing, and art paraphernalia to engage them in other aspects of the creative world. This year continues the tradition. Sewing books, best-selling vampire stories, travel guides, inspirational romances, political books, and blank journals filled my gift list this year. No movies, no videos, no CDs, no games. I leave that to others. Let's face it. I'm a writer. If I'm not willing to give gifts from the realm of my own endeavors, who will?