Happy New Year: My Goals for 2021

 

Each year, I try to put together a list of goals for the New Year. If I’m feeling it, I’ll write them down in a blog post like this. It’s been proven that if you write down your goals, you’re 42% more likely to hit your goals if you write them down. Since 2020 was kind of a wash in terms of goals for so many of us, I decided to be deliberate about my 2021 goals.

So, to make them more concrete, here are my personal and professional goals for 2021.

 

Revise and Query my Novel

Several years ago, I “finished” my first actual full-length novel. It’s a story I didn’t expect to write. My entire life I thought I was a science fiction or fantasy writer. But one day I sat down and this women’s fiction book came out. Well, it was a little more than a day - several years of hard work is more like it.

It’s a book I truly believe in and my goal is to get it published through traditional channels. I’ve revised it several times, but I think it still needs another round at least. And I’ll keep working on my query letters to find the right agent to represent it.

 

Finish My Second Novel

This year, I also began writing a second novel. I wasn’t sure I had another novel in me after I poured blood, sweat, and tears into the first one. But I once again dipped my toe into the Women’s Fiction waters and the words began pouring out. I'm about two thirds finished with the story itself. 

That one is in much more of a rough draft stage, but I believe in it as well. Even at this point, I think it might be a little better than the first one. I will work on finishing it this year to get it ready for the next steps.

 

Bring in More Clients

The life of a freelancer is always a hustle. That’s not a hardship exactly because I choose to do it every day, but it does mean I have to work hard on marketing and finding new clients. And with all the turmoil of 2020, I can use some new clients in 2021.

To that end, I will continue to work on my blogs and my social media marketing. I will produce good work, be reliable, and target clients in my niche. If you or someone you know is looking for a writer, please don’t hesitate to send them my way.

 

Get Involved in My Community

Beyond my professional goals, 2021 will be about a few personal goals as well. In the spring, Matt and I move back to Asheville. More than anything, I want to be involved in the community. I hope to get back into tiny and small home advocacy after handing over the reins of our organization when we left for Atlanta.

I plan to establish some new social engagement in the community. In Atlanta, I joined a local Tiki Revival Society which I found very fun and I want to start a similar group in Asheville. I also developed close ties with a novel critique group which I would also like to have again when I move home.

 

Redecorate My Home

Moving is never fun, but redecorating is. We bought our small city house in 2012 and decorated it throughout 2013. After renting it out these last three years, I’d like to redecorate it to reflect the ways my design tastes have changed.

I’ve already created inspiration boards to help. We are looking at some design pieces to also provide color and décor inspiration. I can’t wait to make those changes.

What are your goals for 2021? I’d love to hear more about them in the comments and on social media.