My look-back over 2024, reminded me that while I did accomplish many things, my writing still suffered. So, while I have lots of plans for doing a lot in 2025, I NEED to make it my priority this year.

The Challenge

To stay motivated with my writing, I wanted to work with a deadline. Normally, deadlines don’t really work for me, especially ones I set myself. But start of the year, is a little different, a little magical and one of those strange moments where I am more likely to stick to a deadline.

So I’m doing the 85K Challenge again.

This was a challenge created by author Julie Valerie. It ran for a number of years over on Facebook. The premise was to write 85,000 words in 90 Days starting on 1st January.

Perfect for those of us who hated the “cram” of challenges that often focus on a single month. Also, there is the sense of starting fresh on the new year – you know, when we all have that crazy motivation. (Great if we can keep it going, right?)

So while the challenge isn’t officially running any more, I am going to be using the basics of it to kick-start my writing right off the bat.

And, as of writing this post, my wordcount for the year is currently at = 9682.

(A cat emergency with multiple trips to the vet derailed me somewhat this week)

I have managed to hit the daily target of 995 words (or above) almost every day so far, which is pretty impressive for me. I’ve not done that in a long time. Usually, I’d have missed days and then be playing catch up.

What has been the biggest surprise is that almost all of these words have been for ONE manuscript (I know, I’m just as shocked) AND I’ve been writing linearly. I guarantee it won’t last, the linear writing that is, my brain just really struggles with that, but the fact I managed for this long is awesome.

I put writing as the top action on my daily to do list and then track the daily words written and the running total in my diary.

The Reset

Another way I am starting stronger this year, is I created a 36 Day reset.

Why 36, I hear you ask. Well, I found a template for 30 days, but there was an unnecessary “notes” section, which I removed and allowed me to add more days to fill the page – so I did.

On each day I’ve added in a small task, usually something I’ve been putting off because it’s either time-consuming or just boring.

Here are some of the items on my reset chart:

• Update my satnav (yes, when driving I prefer my satnav to my phone)
• Organise bedside drawers
• Measure all pictures that need framing
• Redo House Insurance video / photos
• Clear out and organise photos on phone and camera
• Box up and deliver items for donating

Sometimes we delay tasks that actually only take minutes to complete. Funny how we can expand them in our minds to take up more time and space. The Reset Chart helped me to stay focused and just do one a day.

I even made sure to list the longer tasks on weekends rather than say, on my busiest work days! Look at me learning from past mistakes.

The Goal Tasks

If you’ve followed this blog for a while, you know I am big on making goals! Heck, my last Friday post was all about my Yearly Goals for 2025.

However, making goals is just one part of the system if you want to actually complete them. You also need to:

a) make those goals visible (especially if you’re like me and have a very ‘out of sight out of mind’ brain)

b) plan how to complete them

Goals are usually end results like “Complete the Manuscript” or “Run a 5K”.

To get closer to those goals, it’s best to have tasks. Each goal is a project and you need to work out the smaller tasks that lead you to completing that project.

So if you want to Run a 5K, maybe your first task is to buy new running shoes, then walk every day for a month if you are not used to doing any form of exercise, then maybe join a running club, or use an app to work through the program which often consists of run for 1 minute, walk for 3 minutes etc.

You want to have these incremental steps that walk you right up to the goal you made. I do this with a Kanban board – a physical one. I mentioned this in one of my newsletters and a few people asked me about it.

If you are interested, check out next week’s post as I’ll be discussing my Kanban board for tracking the tasks I have to complete. You might even decide to start one yourself.

~ ~ ~

So these are the things I am doing in order to give me a stronger start in 2025. I always find, if I start out strong I have a better chance of keeping it going (so long as I don’t get sick!) Currently, it’s working out well.

I do want to make a point, that this is what’s working for me. There is no right or wrong way to start the year. Whether it’s taking it slow, relaxing into the first months of 2025 or going hell-for-leather. You do you!

How have you started the year?

Take care