Welcome to mid-ish January. It’s Friday (Whoop, whoop!) and almost two weeks into the new year. How are those New Year’s resolutions going if you’re the type that makes them? Hmm?
I’m not one for New Year’s Resolutions, but I get the appeal. New Year, fresh start, let’s make some changes. 🏋🏾♀️ 🤸🏻 🧗🏿♂️ YEAH! It’s positive and hopeful, and who doesn’t want to start the New Year with a little more of that in their life?
Not to be a downer, but the thing is… Resolutions are extremely hard to keep—only 9% of resolvers do. 🤯 That’s not too surprising, if you think about it, because there is an inherent problem with the tradition—resolutions end with a single failure.
The better solution—Make Goals, Not Resolutions.
Goals roll with the bad days while resolutions end on them. Goals are workable, flexible, and fluid while resolutions are concrete and rigid. Plus, goals can be made on a regular Tuesday—no need to wait until the New Year. Goals lead to progress, while resolutions create pressure and, later, guilt when mistakes inevitably happen.
Switching to goal-setting rather than resolution-making means I make progress most days, and my motivation isn’t ruined whenever life gets in the way because it will, ya’ll, it will. I don’t beat myself up over it. And goal-setting has changed my writing life. I published two books last year, and I’m set to do the same again in 2024. That’s much more positive and hopeful than crying into my chocolate ice cream around this time of year when my resolutions fail.
So, if you must make resolutions, then RESOLVE to MAKE GOALS. Ha!
Ripped from the archives… check out these helpful articles to give a productive boost to your New Year:
- Read Make Goals, Not Resolutions for more resolution stats and goal-setting tidbits.
- Goals for Writing: Five Lessons Learned shows the nuts and bolts of it & can be applied to any goal.
- If reading makes your goal list this year (and it should, it really should), here’s How to Read More Books.
- How to Boost Productivity & Happiness in Five Minutes is self-explanatory, but when you’re having an off-day, breaking tasks into five-minute spurts does wonders for your mood.
- 100 Small Ways to Celebrate for Better Health & Happiness is another self-explanatory article and a reminder that WE NEED TO CELEBRATE MORE! Plus, it helps with motivation.
Also, I highly recommend these two books:
Now, get your goals on… YOU CAN DO THIS!
News regarding my goals for this year…
- Delilah Duffy Bonus Content is arriving THIS WEEK! If you’ve finished the series but miss Delilah, Sam, and the outrageous Duffy family, you’ll love the BONUS EPILOGUE I’m working on for subscribers only. Expect 🥹 😬 😮😜 🥰 ❣️
- Yes No Maybe, my next-door neighbor romance, is nearly ready to send to my editor—I freaking LOVE this story! Like seriously, I can barely be here because I want to be there with Rowan and Jack. 💓Preorder now for a reduced price ($3.99) OR email me to be a BETA reader and get it for free in exchange for your feedback! (You’ll also get a signed print copy when it comes out & lots of kudos).
- Yes No Maybe isn’t my only publishing goal this year… Every Good Thing, a standalone sequel to One Thing Better, is my next big project. Ideas are percolating, scenes are forming, and my writer-senses are tingling—I can’t wait to spend time with Lena and Ben again. Dot, too. She’s kinda like my sarcastic, badass side. 😏
- Finally, I’m tackling my reading backlog this year (so many books, so little time). Free in the Prime Lending Library, Meghan Quinn’s The Reunion got me through the holidays—what’s the best cure for family drama? Reading about someone else’s family drama! My current read is 🔮 Written in the Cards by Dana Storino—a delightful, sweet, realistic romance. I’m loving it so far! After that, I’m hitting the mysteries on my Christmas list. 🔍
WHAT ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW?
Finally, here’s a quote that’s helped me center myself this week…
“The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love—whether we call it friendship or family or romance—is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other’s light.” – James Baldwin
Let’s set a goal to mirror and magnify each other’s light this year!
Speaking of… here’s a pic of me and my Bean! (Another goal this year–put myself out there more).
Have a happy and productive January!
Bookishly 📚 Yours,
Jessica
