No ifs, ands, or buts

Get motivated in 2013!

It's time to set aside the baggage of 2012, and move on. What do you want out of 2013? How badly do you want it?


The nice thing about January 1 is that you start with a clean slate. The year is fresh and clean, and you are in the driver's seat. This means the choices you make should be in your best interest.


Sounds easy, doesn't it?

However, a new start comes with all the challenges of the past year and the dreams of the present year. On January 1, I like to look ahead to the entire year because if I focus day-to-day only, I lose sight of the big picture.


To stay focused, I make a list of yearly goals that are within my power to accomplish. For instance, I would have a hard time achieving world peace, but I could easily mend fences with a neighbor or colleague.

Setting reasonable goals assures greater odds of success and personal satisfaction.

My goals are related to writing and the business of publishing. Each year I want to keep the momentum going and continue to build a strong portfolio of books and enlarge my reader base.

Those goals are too broad. With limited hours in each day available for writing and marketing, I must be realistic. I must focus on what is possible.

In 2013, I will release a romantic suspense and a mystery. I will also write another book. For writers, this is the status quo. Keep writing, keep marketing, and keep doing everything else you normally do.

The same goals apply to career women and men or self-employed people or even stay-at-home moms. Doing tasks quicker, better, and faster is everyone's goal.

Except, we are all very good at making excuses. We say "if only this or that" or "I could have finished, but...". Sound familiar?

My solution is personal accountability. Because my schedule varies from day to day, I write out weekly writing goals and check them off as I get them done. If events preclude me from working on a certain day, I know I have to make it up later that week to stay on track.

Another way to be accountable is to share your goals with peers. They will encourage you to succeed and meet your goals. And it is very easy to return that favor.

Though I know someone who writes standing up, the general axiom for writing progress is to keep your butt in the chair. Easy enough for tasks you like, but harder for those that present challenges. I've been known to file papers and clean my entire desk before I write one word of a synopsis. But if I keep my butt in the chair and my mind on the task at hand, I will get it done.

My wish for myself and for you for 2013 is to set aside those if's, ands, and buts, to keep our butts in the chairs, and reach our goals.

Maggie Toussaint

ps the holiday sale on Murder in the Buff ends soon. It's available in all formats. Check it out at your favorite venue.