Happy New Year! Yep, I’ve got my party hat, streamers and resolutions ready! I know I’m not alone. August is the turn of a new year for those of us with kids that have been home all summer long. Every day is the first day of the rest of your life blah blah…, but this August really is the start of a whole new life for me. Both boys will be in school, my youngest for four days a week (preschool). That gives me twenty hours a week where I am the only person to take care of. It’s a lot to imagine for someone who has been a stay at home mom for eight years.
What am I going to do with all that time you ask? Well, I’ve been developing a strategic plan and I have some pretty amazing goals for myself. Here’s where that quote about preparation meeting opportunity is the only path to success keeps playing in my head.
My Goals (read- the only thing I’ll be doing the next ten months) Write Daily, a minimum of 15k words a week. Keep house clean (everyone has their chores assigned), cook healthy meals for family (signed up for a meal plan site that sends recipes and grocery list and the food has been awesome ) work out four times a week (walking youngest to school with a couple miles tacked on for return home), read one book a week (you should see my TBR stack!)
After these, there are a few more like dates with hubs, family time with kiddos, writing retreats, me-time with girlfriends. But together these incorporate daily, weekly and monthly activities that work toward my ultimate goal of writing books and submitting them with the intention of being published. I have a list of six titles waiting for me.
I’ve canceled all commitments outside of my home and family except for one with my local RWA chapter. They get my volunteer time this year. No PTA Board, room mom, women’s clubs, or any other time commitment that doesn’t further my goal. I’m going to be prepared the next time opportunity comes a’ knockin!
I’m lucky enough to be part of this great blog with all these wonderful, talented authors so I get to feed off their excitement about sales, their love of writing heroes we would all melt for and their experience.
Do you have a time of year that is like a fresh start? Do you make New Years resolutions or goals?
About Kimberly Quinton
Good luck with your goals, Kimberly! I find the start of a new school year is probably as fresh a start as I’m ever going to get, so roll on September! :0)
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Yay, Kim!!!! Congrats on the extra free time. I’ve done the same as you. I’ve rebelled against PTA and school commitments. I’ve even dropped most of my writing groups and have no conferences to plan or class reunions on the horizon. The only responsibilities I haven’t given up yet are sports– which in another year or two my kids will be ready to hand off to professionals, and of course there are the sports I play. But those are for me. And I’m with you on the school starting thing. It is a new year and a new beginning. I’m counting down the days right along with you!
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What a great plan you have! Good luck achieving your goals!
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Lol Kim. Good luck with those goals. We always start out so well- intentioned
But it is very freeing when the kids are all finally in school so lap it up!
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Sounds like a great plan, Kim! Save me a party hat!
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What a brilliant time for you, Kim! There is nothing like having the house aaaallll to yourself.
I make goals all the time. Sometimes I achieve them but I think it’s important simply to shoot for something!
15k a week!! You go, girl!
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