What is Your Writing Priority?

Every New Year, people sit down and write out their resolutions on the things they want to happen over the next year. The lists can be long or short, it doesn’t matter. We all have done it, but how often do you complete the goals listed? Rarely in my case; so I spent all of January doing more than just writing my New Year Resolutions, I spent time thinking about what I really wanted to see happen in 2015 and then took it a step further by listing ways to make those things happen. I also looked long and hard at the things I have been working on and doing. I evaluated each of them and the ones that weren’t taking me where I wanted to be I dropped off my list of things to work on in the New Year.

Once I was happy with the list I had, I began looking at my time and seeing if there was enough time in my week and daily to work on each item. In some cases…I didn’t. I was right back to reworking my list and making sure I was putting goals in the right priority. A few things at the top of my list I wish I could remove or move down, but they have proved to be important in building my reputation over the last few years. However, I was able to reduce the amount of time spent on those things to make room for others. It’s a delicate balance and one I’m willing to tweak until just right.

As writers, we have many goals, but we seldom take the time to outline how to reach those goals. I have many things I want to do as a writer, blog talk host and writing coach, but I can’t do them all. I also need to reflect and really think about if the things I want to do are beneficial to my writing career. I don’t mind doing a few things for fun, but ultimately I need to keep my focus on what will move my career forward, make me a better writer and help me reach my goals.

There are lots of writing opportunities out there, but do you know what your writing priorities are? Do you have an outline in place? Are you carving out the right amount of time to get things done? If you don’t, I challenge you to sit down and get your lists refined to help you meet your 2015 writing goals.

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