Catherine Ryan Howard on new year goal setting
Catherine Ryan Howard, writing for writing.ie:
But the more I thought about it, the more I realised that actually, making something like “get published” your goal for the coming year isn’t a good idea. It’s potentially a very bad one. Because some Fairy (Editor) Godmother swooping down with a contract for a two-book deal is beyond my control. Yes, I can do things that can improve the chances of it happening, but I can’t make it happen. It’s not something achievable by me and me alone, and therefore it’s not a goal. It’s more of a dream, or an aspiration. A best case scenario. And setting yourself anything other than achievable goals is the surest way to finish up your writing year feeling like a failure.
I agree with this, although it’s always much easier to aim for a result (getting published) than an action (writing something brilliant). I try and stick to my reach for the stars, expect nothing ethos, which basically translates to work hard and do your best, but don’t panic if it doesn’t work out.
