Setting Goals--Or Not?

Goals--A Dirty Word or a Big Help?

For years I avoided writing down my goals, figuring I knew them in my head and didn't need to. That was fine at the time, as my life was relatively organized and not overly busy.

Now however, things have changed.

Five years ago I started writing Christian fiction and three years ago my first book released, with three more following and another coming next February. What has that meant in my life? Unorganized chaos.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE writing, but the entire package takes a lot of work. You write, you edit, you rewrite, you market your books, attend book signings, speak occasionally, keep active on social networking sites, answering an increasingly heavy load of email, all while still trying to maintain a life outside of writing. I'm often up till midnight working and tired the next morning. Almost like when I had little ones at home, LOL!

So what's a gal to do? See the picture above of my flower bed last year? Well, this year it needs weeding and bedding put down, my lawn needs mowed (hubby will probably take care of that, thankfully) and I have a huge garden to tend. I also have two dogs that need walked, a horse that I LOVE to ride on the trails with my grown daughter and her horse, and I must get some exercise or all this sitting at the computer will make me a blimp.

Sigh. So, I decided it's time to set goals and WRITE them down. I also contacted a friend & asked if I could give her my weekly goals. She agreed to hold me accountable each week and she does. She calls me twice weekly to see how I'm doing and encourage me to keep going.

As a result, I'm staying close to my daily writing goals, have cut Pepsi consumption by 75%, am walking/jogging with my dog 3-4 days a wk, and have lost 7 lbs.

How about you? Are you a goal setter or like I used to be, just hoping I'd get it all done. I'd love to hear from you. Has setting goals made a difference in your life?