I'm a list maker. I love making them along with plans for large projects. In 2010 I created a 5 year writing plan in which I outlined exactly what I would do for my "career" from courses to take, to books I would write, edit or outline and how I would promote my name/brand as a writer. Like most of my plans, I was overly optimistic, and found I had to beat myself up at the end of the year for not accomplishing all of the goals outlined. I used it as motivation to quickly catch up at the beginning of 2011. Last year, I'm happy to say I accomplished all my goals ahead of time and gave myself a well deserved pat on the back.
As life would have it, things quickly changed when I found out I was pregnant, and although thrilled, I was terrified at what it would do to my writing and my 5 year plan. So far it's been an up hill battle for blogging and writing until late in the evening, but I still managed to carve out time here and there. I've also had to take a step back and re-evaluate my plan for this year and adjust a few things to make my plate a little lighter, but I remain optimistic.
How about you angels? Do you have a career plan or are you winging it as you go?
Half and half. I plan what I'm going to do about a story ahead, but I've been derailed by the muse before. One of my strengths is adaptability, so when my plans change, I can move with them easily. The problem with it is that if I have a deadline, it's hard for me to stay on track.
ReplyDeleteElke, I can sympathize with your erratic writing schedule now that you're pregnant. But you'll find your rhythm soon. In fact, with the baby, your five-year plan is even--ah--richer :) As for me, I think I have an evil genie sitting on my shoulder--when I make 'plans' they nearly always go awry. So I avoid that word. Instead I 'try' to work on something. I'm not sure than fools anyone or anything, but I get it by whatever it is inside me that likes to throw up roadblocks. From my years at a daily paper, writing on deadline spurs me, but artificial deadlines like those I establish for myself always fall by the wayside.(Cecily, please don't analyze me. I don't really want to know what's wrong. LOL)
ReplyDeleteLOL! yes - no analyzing! I already know what my flaws are!!
DeleteMy plan is to keep writing and publishing stories. When I make a specific plan, life always gets in the way and then I feel like a failure when I don't reach my goal. So here's what I do instead: I make smaller goals, like finishing a project or subbing something to a publisher by a certain date. I make lists of what I have to do in my personal/home life. I tackle them one at a time & cross them off the list. Sometimes life throws things at you that mess with your plan. I never know what may happen tomorrow so I've long ago, thrown a five year plan out the window!
ReplyDeleteInstead, I dream. I dream of what I want and make goals to reach that dream. It may take a week, a year or ten years, but I never stop dreaming!
I have a loose plan -- meaning I know where I want to be, but I don't set hard and fast rules or time limits about getting there;)
ReplyDeleteGreat question, Elke!
Great answers ladies. You've confirmed what I've believed all along. I'm a control nut. No need to analyize me, Cecily. :-)
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, I find without a plan (or lists) I drift, because my memory sucks and I don't remember what specifically I want to accomplish. I've been writing and submitting over twenty years and not yet published, so I needed to get my butt in gear.
Plans? I PLAN to have three more books published by the end of the year. I HOPE to make enough money to pay my bills. I PRAY every day that I never regret quitting my J.O.B. for my CAREER.
ReplyDeleteAnd Barb...you are too funny!
Great post, Elke!