Small Steps Can Cause Huge Changes by Wendy L. Macdonald

 This month’s writing prompt is a pleasure to respond to because even though I’m still puzzled about which manuscripts I’m supposed to try to publish, I have been heeding God’s nudges to continue taking small steps regarding my writing life.

Small steps can cause huge changes. 

Whoever can be trusted with little can also be trusted with much ... Luke 16:10 NIV 

I’m practicing one of my small steps as I write the first draft of this blog post. Instead of answering emails first, I’m using this early morning time to write while my mind is at it’s freshest. Mornings are best because no one interrupts me. I can dig deep into the ink well of inspiration.

Another small step I’ve taken is to cut back on the social media posts I do. It has freed up time for me to write and edit my own blog posts for wendylmacdonald.com. Now I have more time to work on my bigger writing projects too. Plus, the time I do allow myself to engage on social media has been more enjoyable since I have more energy to focus on others. 

Engagement is more rewarding than posting—in so many ways.

I’m an introvert. It may not seem like it when I’m out and about because I often speak a slew of sentences. But it’s nervous chatter for the most part. I prefer it when I listen more and say less. My introversion often stops me from entering contests. But I need more feedback on two of my projects; therefore, I heeded the nudge to brave up; I entered them. The responses I get will help me decide whether to set them aside and switch my focus elsewhere. I’ve also braved joining a critique group for nonfiction writers. This is a small step that will reap huge changes for my writing. 

I’m keeping all my writing doors open. And I’m praying God opens and closes them according to His will for me. I’m a lousy guesser at what His plans are. So much about my life is not how I guessed or hoped it would be. 

But I have to admit my unexpected journey has taught me so much more about God’s grace and goodness than if I’d lived the kind of life I wanted in the first place: 

• God makes us richer for the losses we’ve suffered.
• Faith doesn’t shine until it’s been refined.
• The Lord uses the lean times in our lives to make our souls richer in Jesus Christ.  

I’m nosy-to-know if you’ve noticed small steps can cause huge changes in ones writing life?

P.S. I recently wrote a blog post about progress for writers here: The Pilgrim's Progress for Writers

Blessings ~ Wendy Mac   

5 Pre-Requisites for Meeting Writing Goals - Ramona Heikel

Setting goals is still a relatively new activity for me, but I’m convinced it is a valuable activity.  

Then why have I done so poorly this year in tracking and working on my goals?  Well, I’ve realized that placing value on doing something, and actually doing it, are two different things.

Goal-setting has never been a high priority, and has never come naturally to me.  I struggle with it all the time.  Now I realize that before I am able to set goals and work on them consistently, I need to be able to master the “pre-requisites” for goals -setting. 

Here are 5 pre-requisites I have identified that will help with goals, with “Notes to Self” as reminders to work on developing new habits. If you have as much trouble with this as I do, maybe this will give some helpful insight!

Pre-requisite #1: Measurable, Realistic Goals

Only one of my January goals was measurable, so now in September, I am having trouble determining if I’ve met the other goals.  I’ve worked on them, but have I achieved them?

One goal was to submit several of my finished pieces for publishing.  I have submitted one.  But the year is almost three-quarters of the way gone, why haven’t I submitted more? Well, for one thing, I wasn’t realistic about these projects. For example, when I went to submit a non-fiction piece, I found it wasn’t technically finished at all, because I still had to put together a bibliography of all the references I’d used.  It took almost as long as writing the article to put together the APA-style bibliography.  Then I found out I needed to include a summary and biography with my submission.  It took a lot of extra time to do the job right.

Note to self: Make measurable goals, and to avoid frustration, plan more time and steps than you think you’ll need to complete a project.

Pre-requisite #2: Commitment

I’ve set writing goals now and then, forgotten all about them, and then haphazardly bumped into them years later as I went through my writing binders and files.  This year I even put a copy of my January Inscribe post (which lists my goals) in a prominent place in my To Do file.  But even then I still only actually reviewed my goals once or twice in the past nine months.  Why?  I probably lacked commitment to achieving the goals.

Note to self: Make writing goals that are important to me. Take time to decide exactly what I want to achieve with my writing, and how to get there.  These goals are worth achieving!

Pre-requisite #3: Tame the ADHD-Factor

I don’t have routines, I’m not a creature of habit; for some reason I rebel against routines and habits.  (I’ve heard that’s a creative thing, so that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.)  I don’t write in the same place every time (right now I’m sitting in my car). I am more likely to jump into writing exciting new Project B than to thoughtfully, purposely work on the planned edits for Project A. All this creates chaos, and I’m not sure if or how I can change.

Note to Self: Keep trying to be mindful, to stop and take a breath.  Review your goals and realize you really do want to work on them, even the edits. Remember how it feels to accomplish a goal.

Pre-requisite #4: Regular Pondering Sessions

Sometimes I am a ponderer, but most of the time I am a do-er.  I like to be active, and don’t often like to sit still (a problem for a writer!).  I am also challenged by what I’ve heard termed as “fuzzy brain”, which happens to a lot of women at my age and gets frustrating.  So usually I will choose an activity that I can do, instead of one I think about, which leaves reviewing, analyzing and evaluating behind in the dust of my wild typing.

Note to self: Commit to regular, short pondering sessions.  These are necessary, but don’t worry, they’re not going to take over your fun creativity times.

Pre-requisite #5: Discipline

One problem I have with goals is that I find reasons to change, add or subtract them as I go.  As I worked on one goal and researched markets for some pieces, I discovered Story a Day in May, which looked like a great exercise to help me practice writing entire short stories—beginning, middle and end. I participated in it because it looked like a good tool to help to break my habit of starting a story and fizzling out near the middle because I don’t know how it will end.

I’m sure I benefitted from S.a.D.i.M, but I probably should have taken a moment to mentally review my goals or at least pondered what was more important to me: increasing my skills, or marketing my work.

Note to self: You can’t do everything, so stick with the plan instead of avoiding hard work or going down internet rabbit trails.  You’ll be glad you did.

I want to thank all of you who have encouraged us in setting and achieving our goals. Without you, many of us would be much less focused and determined in our writing journey.  And for those like me who are goal-challenged, I’m saying a little prayer for us!

Posted by Ramona

www.happilywriting.com