Let’s be honest here. This week (and probably for the next month), we will be hearing a lot about resolutions, plans, goals, and the things we all need to do in order to make 2016 the best year ever.
I know there are many people out there who don’t subscribe to the “New Year, New Goals” theory, but I definitely do. If I can start the year off right and be super-productive, no matter how long it lasts, it would be longer than if I hadn’t made the resolution at all.
This year I thought about my goals and plans a bit earlier than I have before. My plan was to start the reflection process a little bit earlier so that by December 31, I could have clear, actionable goals and actually be working to meet those goals before the new year hit.
However, when I started I was at a crossroads. It seemed that every blog, every coach, every writer I follow was flooding my email inbox with their plan for success this year. They had published accounts and systems that detailed what worked for them in the past. And they wanted me to join their program.
Maybe it’s the only child in me, but I kind of felt that the only plan I needed to follow was my own. Without throwing shade, I just needed figure out what I needed to focus on. Reading about those other systems helped, especially since I saw a common thread in all of them. But as far as the daily activities are concerned, I needed to work that out myself.
To be honest, I really just needed a workbook that would guide me through some concepts but allow me to add the specifics. I needed that workbook, but I also needed something that could appeal to my life as a writer.
You see, in this funny thing called life, our experiences are not cookie cutter. We all need to be able to carve out our individual plan for love, success, and anything else that’s important to us. This year, I found two books that are helping me get where I want to be, personally and professionally.
I first heard of author Honoree Corder from the Successful Single Mom book series. As a single mom, I tend to read a lot of books and blogs by other single moms who have been there and done that. Honoree has, and I might add, she’s done it well. In addition to writing about being a single mom, she’s also a successful writer, business coach and a visionary strategist. It’s her unique combination of sound, practical knowledge combined with family and life priorities that make her strategies work.
I’ve been using two of Honoree’s books to organize myself and 2016. I am highly recommending them right here right now. These two books will help you outline your goals, plans, and priorities and make them actionable.
Book #1: Tall Order.
As an entrepreneur (and a relatively new one at that), this book has what I need to further establish my business and brand during 2016. When I made to decision to be a full-time creative last August, I didn’t know much about the business aspects of what I was doing. This book gives me a clear path to follow as I continue to do work through Twilli Media.
Tall Order outlines seven master strategies that are essential to business success. They are:
- Create Your Vision
- Visible Goals
- The 100-Day Rule
- Find a Masterful Mentor
- Use Time-Multiplier Strategies
- The Power of Association
- Unlock Your Super Alter Ego with a Coach
This book is a must-have for readers that are interested in establishing, rebranding, getting direction, or setting new goals for their brand or company. You can buy it here.
Book #2: Prosperity for Writers Productivity Journal (affiliate links below)
If you’re reading this, you obviously know I’m a writer. I definitely need to hone in on my craft throughout the year and I can always benefit from help from a writing coach. Prosperity for Writers and its companion, Prosperity for Writers Productivity Journal are the two books that I’m using to aid in my writing goals. In the past, I’ve been a 500-word-a-day writer, but this year I’m striving to be a 2,000-word-a-day writer. For me, that means 2,000 coherent, well thought out words. The benefit actually works two ways: 1. I’m doing more of what I love and improving my craft, and 2. My audience is getting the very best of what I have to offer.
That simple word count goal for me is only one way I can improve my life as a writer, and believe it or not, I actually needed more direction being a prosperous writer with abundant results. For me, I needed to believe that I could have a financially successful life as a writer. Here are the titles of the book chapters:
- YOU Can Be a Prosperous Writer
- Prosperous Writers Believe They Can
- Your Journey to Becoming a Prosperous Writer
- Get FAME for Prosperity
- What’s Your Money Story?
- Practical Practices of Prosperous Writers
- Accelerate Your Success
- Your Time to Be a Prosperous Writer is Now
This book is one part motivation and the other part action. She does the motivating and we do the work. If you’re a writer, you can buy Prosperity for Writers here and the Productivity Journal here.
Here’s to a fabulous year! What resources are you using to jumpstart your year?
Disclosure: I am a member of Honoree Corder’s Advanced Reader Team. I received copies of all the books I mentioned free of charged in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
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