Last Updated on: December 29th, 2016
Planning is something I don’t always like doing, for many reasons, and yet I have done so much planning and scheduling this past year since I started blogging that it nearly boggles my mind. I’m also doing more planning for 2014, so that I can continue blogging, guest posting, AND meeting my own personal writing and publishing goals at the same time.
With December now over (Happy New Year, by the way!) many authors are desperately trying to follow the principle behind NaDoToYoNoMo, which, I believe, is a new concept. As someone who didn’t participate in NaNoWriMo this year (okay, I’ve never participated in this event), I’m not included in this bunch.
I have, however, tried to write a novella in a weekend!
In fact, I alluded to this experience in a guest post a few of weeks ago, which only ONE person took the time to read. (Yes, it hurt me that more of you didn’t click on the link I provided, so I’m giving you all another chance. Please don’t disappoint me. I know how to check these things, you know. Yes, even being a non-techie!)
Okay, now that I’ve gotten that little rant out of the way, here’s your chance to make things right in my world. I’d rather start the new year off on the right foot, and that is NOT one of resentment. So, to keep things in a positive light, I’m inviting you to consider this link a must-click link and an integral part of this post.
Overcome Writing Failure With a Personalized Writing Plan is a something I recently wrote for Joel Friedlander, of The Book Designer, and, since writing this, I’ve actually developed a few new time management plans. Before you read the rest of this post, please take two minutes to check this article out. If you want to comment on it, you’re welcome to, naturally! If you don’t read the article, some of this post just won’t make sense. You also won’t fully appreciate my free planner (which I’m giving to you momentarily).
I’ll wait here for you while you read it. Seriously. I promise.
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* Uh-uh. No cheating. C’mon. You can skim it, to get the gist. It’s actually helpful. I try not to write garbage, you know.
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(See, I’m still here!)
Okay, let’s continue, now that you’re up to speed.
Here is a portion of one of my planning aids that I was prompted to create for myself.
It includes a daily checklist, a weekly checklist, and a couple of different ways to plan my week.
a sample planner
Here is what my weekly checklist looks like, to help keep me goal-oriented:
If any of you like what you see and/or if you may need some help with planning and reaching your 2014 goals, please feel free to copy and paste whatever you want from my FREE PDF Planner (link below). You have my full permission to adapt it to suit your needs.
Here’s the link:
You can always leave me a comment, too. 😉 You know I LOVE COMMENTS!
I have the same issue as Jeri and also have an issue with planning in general. I am good at routines, but this makes life rather boring, so planning properly is probably something I need to focus on.
Becc, I used to hate routines. My son loves them, and needs them. Somehow, I think it makes him feel more secure. Not me. I am perfectly happy with living on the edge – or at least I used to be. However, now I’m becoming more serious about some of my goals and so need the self-discipline. When I was attending university from ’94 to ’99, I excelled at planning! Gosh, I miss those days.
I think I need to tell myself, “I’m going to school again,” just to feel like I have to do what it is I want to do. It’s funny; some days I’m gung-ho with everything and others I feel the complete opposite.
I guess we all feel this way, sometimes.
I think if we “mixed it up” a bit, routines would make things less boring. Including fun and exciting things to do will help liven our lives up!
Thank You so much for this. I really needed this.
No problem; glad it helped! 😀
Thanks for the pdf. I’ve found my biggest time consuming task to be reading and commenting on blogs. I’m planning on getting a keyboard for my iPad so I can read and comment ONLY at the end of the day after all of my other tasks are done.
Good strategy, Jeri! Gives you something to work towards, too! 😉
And you’re welcome. 😀
Hi Lorraine, thank you for the thoughtful gift. I will put it to good use. I appreciate it! 😀
No problem, Vashti! Glad you like it. 🙂
I do love planning (To be honest, I used to not love planning…I still don’t advocate planning too much, because that makes life boring).
Anyways, I did use extensive planning for last year (especially, the second part, since I didn’t take any classes) and it was a wonderful experience.
I had a block schedule system with commenting blocks, social media blocks, learning blocks and so forth.
In the end, I learned a lot of things, formed new habits, ‘destroyed’ some old ones and so forth (that is my I consider 2013 as the best year I have had so far).
I still have to plan for this year. I am getting back to college next week, so I definitely need a plan. (I was working on it today…but, I need to wait till the end of next week to confirm everything – you know, to gauge know hard the classes will be and how much time I can spend for blogging).
I haven’t done this in the past, but I feel like I need to do this now (especially, since I am starting to take the core classes associated with my major).
Anyways, thank you for sharing your planner, Lorraine 🙂 Appreciate it!
First of all, let me congratulate you on your schooling endeavours. As a teacher, I love hearing when people further their education! Kudos to you!
Kudos for destroying some of your old habits, too. 🙂 That’s not always easy to do.
Planning is definitely not for everyone, especially artists, but goes a long way to accomplishing your goals.
Out of curiosity, what are you taking in college?
Thanks 😀 (although, I am not particularly a fan of the education system…it needs to change a lot…focus on innovative ideas. It’s changing, but the ‘rate’ is too slow).
Nuclear engineering 🙂
Wow. Colour me impressed.
And yes, the education system seems to be about a decade behind…
Thanks for posting this on my blog. It’s definitely inspired me to come up with my own checklist and calendar, so as to keep myself honest!
I posted it since you linked to my guest post on The Book Designer (Joel Friedlander’s site) and figured you might find it useful. I’m glad you are more aware of your own goals now, and are going to take steps to achieve them! Good luck! 🙂
I’ve come up with my own checklist and goals for 2014, so I thought I’d share them with you.
http://outwherethebusesdontrun.com/2014/01/21/planning-for-life-and-for-writing-its-not-just-for-planners-anymore/
Thanks again for the inspiration!
Gus, it’s good to see you making some goals and it’s nice that I helped give you the push you needed to list them.
By sharing your goals on your blog, you have taken an important step toward achieving them: you have become accountable for your actions. The simple fact that you have identified and listed your goals shows you possess self-awareness and will be more successful in your efforts to attain them, too, as it’s been proven that those who take the time to write them out are more likely to strive to do so. Being accountable to both yourself and others is great as well!
I wish you the best in achieving them! 🙂
Totally awesome Lorraine! Thank you for sharing. I am a newcomer to Google + with a big goal of learning as much as I can in 31 days and sharing my learning with my niche (vacation rental owners). We tend to be an older bunch – a little slower to embrace social media – so I want to bring them a step by step approach from how I have ‘mastered’ it. I’m now heading back to your post on Google + circles…
Thanks, Heather! Why are you limiting yourself to 31 days, though? Learning is LIFELONG! 😉
The biggest thing to remember is that social media TAKES TIME. Building relationships takes TIME. I cannot say this enough.
I know what you mean about being “older” since I’m 42. Yep, I look younger, I know. LOL And when I was young, I looked older. Weird, huh? 😉 I did not embrace technology for years but now I’m glad I’m starting to. It’s amazing what it enables you to do!
Hope you find my articles helpful. And occasionally entertaining. 😉 Maybe I’ll see more of you soon!
You crack me up, yes I was going to cheat, but with that much encouragement, how could I NOT go look at the tips?
I think it’s easy to lose discipline when you are a writer because unless you’re meeting someone else’s deadline, you can let too much slide. I have to write and do research every day in my day job and to be honest, if I don’t visit my favorite blogs every day I fall waaaay behind, so get the discipline part. I write every day. What I would really like to start doing is using the calendar to organize my thoughts on posts. It’s a great way to keep posts relevant and to capture good ideas.
Scheduling time to do things off the computer is a NECESSITY. It shouldn’t just be about chores either. I like that you included things like swimming or doing whatever you want. I started painting again recently and it feels amazing. I also think it helps me to problem solve more effectively. Sometimes you need to step away in order to get better at your writing/blogging/work.
You crack ME up, Debra! LOL Many people try to get away with cheating…and I know this because I check what links people click on. They don’t know this, but they should! LOL I’m glad you read it – or claim to, anyway! LMAO Like seriously, you just put me in such a good mood with your comment. 😀
I agree with what you say, too. So much. People forget to have fun. At least, I do! It’s amazing how taking some time to put things in order gives you a new perspective. By doing fun activities and enjoying yourself (like doing some painting or going swimming), you DO get more creative and get new thoughts and ideas. Music is conducive to this, too. 🙂
I’m so happy you’re keeping up; I’ve been falling behind due to recent health issues. (Having surgery Tuesday.) I’ll be blogging about this, too.
Sometimes the best laid plans…
So…I just started reading your blog – Love the organizational tips and have saved what I read in my favorites. I want to click some of those interesting links! I need that PDF. Thanks
Hi, Elle! I’m always pleased to hear that I have helped someone. 🙂 It’s the teacher in me…
Can I ask how you found this? Or do you remember? Curious minds want to know!
Good article! I know the reason I didn’t read it the first time is because I had a few major disruptions in my life, but now that things have calmed down, I am back to reading all of the blogs I follow. It is great advice and I will put this to work for me. Sometimes I do feel overwhelmed with work and activities, but this should cut the stress down and make sure that everything gets done on time.
No problem, Jo Ann. I’m glad you read it now! Thank you! (Yes, I love it when people read my stuff.) 😀
I hope you’ll get back on track soon. I find lists super-helpful. I’m always forgetting something, but when I write it down, I don’t forget. As long as I remember to look at my list, I’m good. 😉 LOL
Hi Lorraine; What a great gift to give to your readers to start the new year. You gave them a free tool to use to organize their writing and help achieve there goals and chase their dreams in the years to come. I hope some of them will at least mention you in the acknowledgements section of their work. smile and I’m looking forward to you finishing the mystery so i can tell people i know the famous author. wink can’t wait to download your audio book from the national library service for the blind and hear about you being on th best sellers list. wishing all your dreams come true your good friend max
Thanks for the support, Max. And stay tuned… I have a special surprise coming up just for you. Shh. Don’t tell anyone and ruin their surprise. You KNOW what I’m talking about. Wink Wink. 😉
Hey, totally off topic, but do emoticons get translated for you? I just wrote “wink wink” and then the winky emoticon. You DO know what emoticons are, right?
I’m a writer, but I do have a plan for my photography. I’ve used a planner for a long time. I currently use one on my phone. Like you suggest, I have all the items I’d like to accomplish listed. It’s a good way to get things done and to keep items from being forgotten.
I’m a fan of lists, too. I just joked with Jo Ann in an earlier comment about this; as long as I can remember to look at my lists, I’m good. 😉 I’m a bit forgetful at times. Then again, with so much to remember, aren’t we all?
In reviewing the conversation in my previous comment, I meant to say I’m not a writer. lol Sorry about that.
You are so right, there are lots of things to remember. I’ve not given up on simplifying and decluttering my life though. hahaha I hope that approach shortens my lists.
Oh, no problem! LOL You don’t really need to be a writer to use a planner; planners are for everyone who want to be more productive! 🙂 Just ask yourself, “Can I live without this?” Most times, the answer is “yes”.
It is interesting to me how often the answer to “can I live without this?” Is “yes”. I’ve been decluttering my life because I’m moving into a smaller space. I’ve discovered that almost everything I’ve accumulated is something I can live without.
LOL I know exactly what you mean. It’s funny how most of our “possessions” can be considered a form of “junk” (well, maybe not “junk” per se but really, unnecessary “stuff”). Moving really makes you take stock, doesn’t it? The thing is, though, is that we should not have to wait until we move to declutter. We should do this on a monthly or even a weekly basis. By keeping on top of it all, we’ll feel more productive.
Since I started using this strategy – can I live without it – I have had less stress, too.
Best of luck with the move, JR. I have moved so many times that I can totally sympathize with the work involved in moving. 🙂
Thank you. I’m doing well on getting rid of things. The bulk of the stuff is gone. My life is so much lighter now.
Good to hear, JR! 😀
Thank you, Lorraine. Your planner will be very helpful and is much appreciated. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Blessings, Bette
Oh, I am so glad you liked it, Bette! I hope you find it useful. It can be used as a template; all you have to do is change the date and delete my stuff and replace it with yours.
And Happy New Year to you, too! 🙂
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's New (to me) Authors Blog and commented:
Here’s an Author trying to help other Authors, why not check out the article, LIKE the article, follow the links and get a FREE Planner made specially for Authors and Writers 🙂