For those who don’t know, I stopped doing New Year’s Resolutions and moved to do monthly goals instead. These work so much better for me.
I put up my monthly goals on my blog to help keep me focused and to give me some accountability to my readers.
Last Month’s Goals
Due to a pretty rough November and December, I only gave myself 3 goals in December…and failed to complete them.
1 – Write something – Nope, I just never got to do that. By the end of the month I was just emotionally wrung out – FAILED
2 – Plan 2 months of blog content – I actually did this. After my computer got repairs and I was able to retrieve my data, I filled in my Content Calendar for the next two months – COMPLETED
3 – Read 2 books – I had hoped with it being over the holidays that I’d actually get chance to read. And I usually get gifted books for Christmas. Firstly, I got no books for Christmas and secondly, I ended up managing only 1 book – PARTIALLY COMPLETED
This month’s goals
01 – Write 30k
This will put me on track for the 85k Writing Challenge that I am doing. The aim of this challenge is to write 85,000 words in 90 days (Jan to Mar). That’s just less than 1,000 words a day.
I don’t have a strong outline to work from but I do have a plot, characters and a location.
02 – Update 10 old posts
I was updating old posts through most of last year, then I ended up getting waylaid. I want to go back over my older tutorials, make sure they are re-edited, include backlinks and add in extra content.
I’m hoping that this year I will complete the updates of all older posts and can look ahead to dealing with newer content.
03 – Finish packing
We are hoping that the purchase of our house will go through this month. But you can’t always predict these things. I have been looking to pack up as much non-essential stuff as possible so that when the purchase finalises, we can move instantly.
04 – Sort paperwork
Throughout November and December, I was dealing with my terminally ill cat and managing the Christmas rush on my shop. I lost focus and let all the paperwork and accounts fall to the wayside.
I want to get these updated and organised this month. I’m already going to be slowed down when we move, so I want to minimise just how much catching up I need to do.
05 – Scripting
One of my new projects is to start on YouTube. I am going to use this month just to script out at least two videos and plan the graphics too. That way I can hit the ground running next month (maybe).
So, do you make New Year’s Resolutions? Or prefer to stick to monthly/quarterly goals?
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Five goals aren’t much, but with a house move looming the last thing I want to do is become overwhelmed with too many goals. I think five is just the right amount to start the year off with.
Author Ari Meghlen Official Website 
You should have added – Get moved into the new house! Moving sucks up a lot of time. Have a fabulous 2019!! Monthly goals are good too.
Thanks, Darlene. The completion date has been moved to first of Feb, so that will be my moving in 🙂 Already all the packing is taking so much time (even though we’d started doing some earlier). Can’t wait to me in our new place 🙂
Wow! A fantastic response to this, Ari!
Ah to be young and have energy. 😉
lol thanks Pearl. I don’t feel like I have a lot of energy. Maybe it’s all the caffeine I drink 😀
I’m following this ritual you have of setting monthly goals. This may yield me better returns than yearly.
Thanks for reading, I hope it helps. I did monthly goals in 2018 and I couldn’t believe how much more organised and focused I got, I do recommend not having too many goals in the month and change the quantity if some of the goals are bigger or more intense, good luck
Good luck with your goals.
I don’t make resolutions either. I make a list of goals for the year… Sometimes adding new ones during the year.
Thanks Victoria. Yes, I think resolutions are more likely to fail but goals seem more manageable. I wish you the best with your goals for the year.
Also, I did want to ask you, if you’d like to be a guest postermon my blog. I have some slots available this year and I see your a children’s author, we could do an interview or if you have an article on say how to write for children I’d love to feature you.
Let me know if you’re interested. Ari
I’m sorry to hear about your cat! It does sound like a rough time! I set annual “intentions” and goals to help me on my way to turning them into a reality, and then monthly intentions which are usually more immediate and achievable in 30 days. Often they relate to my annual or overall intentions / plan. It sounds like you have an ambitious writing schedule! I really need to take a leaf out of your book and crack on with writing…
Thank you kindly, it was rough but we are glad she is at peace now. I like your system of intentions. 😊
I can imagine… thank you 🙂
This year like you, I’ve finally realised that annual goal setting just doesn’t work for me. With an eye on where I’d like to be in the next quarter I’m setting monthly goals…good luck with the house move!
Thanks jo. Yes monthly goals are definitely better. I feel they givd just enough time to move us forward without getting overwhelmed, good luck with your goals
You sure are a go-getter … you will get it done … and more, especially after the move that is hanging over your head finally takes place. Then you can focus better. Your latter part of the year was trying … better things lie ahead for you Ari.
Thanks Linda, we just got given a date of 1st Feb for moving in. 😄😄 I’m so excited. I really think everything will power forward once we move and settle.
That does sound positive Ari – you’ve got your non-essentials packed, it’ll just get hectic when it gets down to the wire, and then the actual move. It’s a Friday so you’ll have a weekend to settle in a bit. Hope it all goes smoothly for you.
Best of luck to you!
Thanks 😊
You’re welcome.
Good luck on your goals. I usually make resolutions and fail but this year I made resolutions and so far I am on the right track. It is still early but I have such a good feeling that everything is going to work out for me. I hope your move goes well. I moved into my house almost 3 years ago and know how stressful it can be. I hope your year goes well for you!
Thanks so much for your comment, I’m glad you are keeping your resolutions. We got the date of 1st Feb as a move date, so it’s getting closer 😊😊😊
That is so exciting! I’m sure it’s stressful and keeping you extremely busy but it’ll be so worth it!
I work with goals that shift weekly to accommodate my other businesses and life.
You always amaze me, the amount you accomplish is staggering. 😘
Aww 😊 I never feel like I get enough done. Life does have a habit of getting in the way
Reblogged this on Kyt Wright.
Thanks for reblogging 😊
It’s a great idea, I don’t do new years resolutions because it saves me breaking them. 😁
Lol I know, right? Resolutions never worked for me, I’ve tried several things and monthly goals have so far been the best thing for me, 😊
These monthly goals seem like a great way to actually achieve somethings!
Thank 😊 I’ve found they are the best way for me to get things gone. Tried resolutions, tried quarterly goals, tried weekly goals…only monthly goals have worked for me
Hopefully, they will do wonders for me too…
I’m sure they will 😁
No books for Christmas? The horror! I make goals, but I did make a late resolution to write for 15 minutes a day. So far, so good. Only need to write five more chapters in my 1st draft of my book!
I know, right? No books😮 glad you are keeping hour resolution. Oooh bet you are excited to almost have the first draft completed. 😁😁
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
Thanks for thr reblog 😊
You are driven. Good luck with the house. House buying and selling in England seems so chaotic. My sister thought she had sold her house, in Essex, on two separate occasions, only to have the buyers back out weeks later for personal reasons. It’s more efficient in Canada. I’m relatively new to this, but I like your idea of setting daily word limits. Life always intervenes though.
Thanks for your comment. Oh yes, buying / selling a house in the UK is so convoluted. Ours should be easier since neither us nor the sellers are in a chain but it’s still dragging.
I don’t normally do daily word counts, except at the start of the year. Doing the 85k writing challenge helps to crank me back into writing after I take a break over the holidays 😊 lol don’t get me wrong, I’m already behind but it’s less about the word count and more about the habit 😊
Good luck!
Thank you kindly, Kevin