Thursday, October 18, 2012

Great Goals!




The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, 

but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.

Michelangelo Buonarroti 


Ever have a quote snag your attention? This one grabbed me. With 2012 drawing to a close, I'm thinking about goals - ones I've met and others that fell by the wayside. For 2013, I'm determined to make changes, sow more self discipline, and press forward to make certain projects a priority. In other words, I'm aiming higher.

This Renegade Writer's post, Anti-Schedules for the Freelancer Who Hates Scheduling landed in my inbox yesterday, and wouldn't you know, writer Dianna L. Gunn addressed a few issues that hinder my goals. Talk about timely encouragement. :)

I'm curious, do you set goals? Are they short term? Long term? Both?

What do you do to make your goals a reality?

Do your goals hover above sea level or soar amongst the stars?


I've a few articles to finish, and of course, goals to review, so I'll be taking a break till 10/29. See you then. :)

Have a great weekend!

Karen 

31 comments :

  1. Hi Karen! I think my goal is to figure out how to write my book instead of blogging all the time- but I have fallen in love with blogging. Perfectionism I think is keeping me from writing my book. So my goal is to plan regular writing blocks to work on writing for my book ONLY. Um, until then , blogging daily. Happily ever after!

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  2. Most of my goals are short term because I just don't plan that far ahead.

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  3. Dawn,
    I know, I get wrapped up in blogging too. I love it, but really need to budget my time better so I can get to the WIP and other projects. :)

    Alex,
    I have a handful of long term goals, but many hinge on short term stuff.

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  4. Goodness. I have lots of dreams. Do those count? They press me on. In that way, I do aim high. Some of them are pretty big. Others are, well, smaller. I'd just like to make the weekly column deadline, for instance. That's a goal, I think, and not a dream.

    Good question. I'd love to talk 'dreaming big' with you someday. With a mocha.

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  5. I am big on goal-setting! (I even teach a seminar on it.) Need short term goals to get you to the long term goals.

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  6. I have such great intentions when it comes to goal setting. I make lists, write down dates and outline plans. But alas, then I get so busy I forget all about them. I came across a notebook with my 6 month "goals" written in it the other day. I only have a few months left of that 6 months and I don't have much of it done. I guess I'll keep trying. I'm learning not to get too hung up on to do lists, but it's a habit for sure.

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  7. I was, but I've let it slip. Must do something about that. Hi Karen!

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  8. I love that quote, Karen. I've let a lot of goals slip this year, but I'm now back on track. :)

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  9. Rhonda,
    Of course they do! To me, they are often in the same category, you know? Dreaming big with a mocha - yes, someday, BOP girl! :)

    Diane,
    That's right! You are one great cheerleader in that department. :)

    Jan,
    I do the same thing, and often the immediate crowds out working toward my big picture goals.

    Joylene,
    Hi to you too! :) I know, I hear you; I need to get better at it as well.

    Linda,
    I know, it really hit me when I saw it. Great food for thought. Congrats on being on track! :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  10. Oh, man, I wish you hadn't make that comment about 2012 drawing to a close. I was trying my best not to notice.

    Goals, yes, I set them. Big ones. Ambitious ones. And then I try to mold them into something manageable. It's always a balancing act.

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  11. Sometimes I feel that my goals are too high. I have been trying to meet my goals for 2012 before the year ends.

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  12. Hi Karen -

    I sometimes set goals, but meeting them is often a challenge.

    Enjoy your break.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  13. I don't actually say it out loud, but yes, I have short and long terms goals always set in my mind.

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  14. I'm that list person who draws great satisfaction from marking off a project. That is for small goals. Big goals take time but are eventually achieved. Just got my new flooring in after 5 years of having it on the 'long-term' goals list.

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  15. Patricia,
    Sorry about that! It dawned on me the other day, not like I didn't know it was coming but got to thinking about Thanksgiving coming up and all...:) I agree, it is a balancing act!

    Rachna,
    I think we can learn over time what is realistic and what is not. But it takes a lot of practice, you know? :) lol

    Susan,
    Oh I hear you, me too! Take this week for example, was going to work on a certain chapter..lol :) Thanks a bunch!

    Lydia,
    I have a running list in my head that sometimes gets garbled with pressing stuff. :)

    Sally,
    Oh, I love lists too! Love to check stuff off. Problem is, sometimes I have so many lists going I don't even look at them. :) Congrats on the flooring!

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  16. Ha, Karen, great minds think alike! My latest blog post--written after yours--recommends people check out the Renegade Writer blog! I see you already follow it and find it informative. I do, too. :-)

    Your quote on aiming high reminds me of a Joyce Meyer message that went something like, "I'd rather hope for a lot and get half of it than hope for a little and get all of it." Something along those lines, but similar in spirit to your quote. Great message!

    Blessings to you and yours...

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  17. Id o have long term and short term goals. But. Shhh. I never tell anyone but the Lord. Once in a while I tell hubby. The Lord is the one who I depend on. So I always talk to him about this stuff now. I've learned that's the ONLY way to do it. Love that quote, amigo. Checking out that blog! Hugs and more hugs!

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  18. I think setting goals is so important. Good luck on achieving all of yours!

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  19. I don't have any specific goals right now. I do have dreams. When one of them seems to have a shirttail I can grab on to, I will set up a series of goals. At this time in my life, I don't want to push until I know that what I'm pushing into is worth the effort.

    Or if I get a passion that consumes me, then I'm just off for that full speed ahead.

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  20. I generally keep goals in mind, but I do not set hard and fast ones. Makes me too obsessive, lol!

    Still, I manage to get things done. If I didn't, I guess I'd have to be more strict about it, LOL!

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  21. Janette,
    Great minds indeed - I agree! :) You know, I've heard Joyce say that; it's a good quote. Thanks for reminding me!

    Robyn,
    Most of my goals are tucked neatly away too. Sometimes too far away - I need to get them out and review sometimes. :)

    Julie,
    Thanks for coming by and following too! Enjoyed my stops at your blog. :) Best wishes with your goals too!

    Nancy,
    Dreams and goals, I think, often dovetail, you know? :) I think you are right, life experience can show us which ones to pursue, too.

    Laura,
    I have some of both, but like you, I often feel pressured by real "set" ones. Just kind of depends what they are, you know? :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  22. I'm definitely a goal maker--long term, short term, and ideal goals. :)

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  23. Good for you, for wanting more discipline in your life. But don't be too hard on yourself, okay? You need grace among the goals.

    I set long-term and short-term goals, and keep them on a white board in my office, so I can erase them as I finish them. It helps to have a tangible.

    Thanks for asking!
    Jen

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  24. Hi Karen!

    I have goals and dreams- but who would say I will realise all ine day?

    All the best!

    Nas

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  26. Jennifer,
    Love that category - ideal goals. I guess as long as we keep it in perspective that's one way to aim high! :)

    Jen,
    Thanks for the encouragement. How did you know I am pretty tough on myself? :) A tangible - yes, I need those too!

    Nas,
    You never know! Glad to know you have goals too! :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  27. I try to set short term goals. So far I am doing quite okay. Looks like I will achieve this years goals.

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  28. I'm always setting goals! And making lists. tons of them.:)
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  29. Rachna,
    Congrats on reaching your goals! That's something to celebrate! :) You should get chocolate.

    Nutschell,
    Speaking of lists, I have them scattered all over my desk. Some I actually look at, too! Best wishes with your goals!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  30. I have started goals setting for 2013. I have ONE main goal. All the other thoughts feed into that one.

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!