February Goals

I know, I know, it’s already the sixth of the month in a short month but better late than never, right? January felt like one of the longest months ever and I know the internet collectively agrees. In my day job, January and the first four months of the year are the busier time of the year and this year is no exception.

So, having to balance my day life with the writing life has felt harder than normal. I took a good chunk of January off from writing to do a lot of reading and working, but now it’s time to get back to Project Whisper.

And that’s my main goal this month.

Goal One: Finish reading and then edit Project Whisper

I’m about 2/3rds of the way done with reading through Project Whisper, and so far I think it’s going well. The writing of this draft was difficult, writing half of it in a month and then hitting some extra hard burnout in October. So it took me two and a half months to write the last half. Next time we’ll go more for balance or steadiness in my approach to writing.

But last week, I finally started reading through the draft and taking notes. Where to elaborate, where to cut back, where I can weave in scenes that will set up the sequel later on.

It’s fun to just read and let my imagination think about the possibilities. I’ll finish the read-through this weekend and then start with edits. My main goal is to edit this draft this month.

Goal Two: Read 10 books

There are so many books I want to read this month. Between Valentine’s Day, Black History Month, and two new releases that came out this week, I’ve got a stacked reading list. And it probably doesn’t help that I have 11 books on sale waiting in my Libro.FM cart to purchase later this week (if you love audiobooks, you can join Libro.FM here).

Beyond my goal of wanting to read 80 books this year, I set some specific goals up – like read 20 books that have been on my TBR cart for more than a year and 15 books that have been on my kindle for awhile.

I also want to succeed in the Book of the Month reading challenge this year. I was close last year and burnout got me, whoops.

Goal Three: Focus on Being Presesent

One of the biggest themes I find recurring in my life is how to be present in everything I do. Out with friends or with family? My brain is trying to work through plot holes or new ideas. Sitting at my desk? Feeling guilty I’m not spending time with my boyfriend (he’d tell me to work on writing but still).

I’m trying to focus on putting up more mental boundaries around my work. Working at specific times, spending specific time with friends and my boyfriend. But also figuring out how to multi-task, like how I’m walking on my under-the-desk treadmill while I write this.

How does one stay present and multi-task at the same time?

No idea.

I’m trying to make life changes one little step at a time. Like walking on this treadmill every day. Even if it’s just 30 minutes a day, it’s more than I have been doing. I can build a little endurance and even up how long I walk. I’m trying to drink more water, take my vitamins every day. I’m trying to be kinder to my body in hopes that it’s kinder to me and allows me to do all the things I want.

Only time will tell if it works.