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Let’s Try This Again #IWSG

Posted on January 3, 2018January 3, 2018 by Loni Townsend

As you might have seen in last week’s post, 2017 wasn’t great for me. But it’s a new year, and I’m off to a new start. This year kicked off with the Colonel’s Challenge at work, which will last for 10 weeks and include resistance training, push-ups/sit-ups, aerobic exercise, and weight loss. I’m aiming to hit the goal with all four sections, even though I’ll need to get all 3500 push-ups and sit-ups through sit-ups alone due to my wrist. Other areas include lifting 143,200 lbs worth of weight, 30 hours of activity, and losing 5% of my body weight. Since losing weight is also part of a longer term goal, it works out well.

In addition to the Colonel’s Challenge, I’ve set a goal to average at least 700 words written a week. I think that’s obtainable, even if I’m busy. And I also want to complete one good digital painting. Keyword there is complete, since I’m notorious for starting but never finishing most things.

Another goal is to build a better relationship with my children. Babyzilla whines a lot, and I think he wants attention. So I’m going to slow down when I’m around the kiddos, try to encourage my son to figure out how to play by himself more often, and really work on my empathy (I’m a terribly unempathetic person so it’s a forced change to my personality, but I think it’ll be better for my kids).

So where does the insecurity come in? I still have the fear that I won’t finish anything this year. It’s going on five years since Thanmir War came out, and I’m not even finished drafting the sequel, Isto. It’s been three years since This World Bites, and I haven’t even peeked at Murder Most Fowl lately. What if I fail yet again?

But it’s like I tell my son, whining about it isn’t going to get me what I want. So, I’ll keep chipping away at it, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll finish something this year.

IWSG Optional Question – What steps have you taken or plan to take to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?

This started last year, but I partnered up with a local friend to hold each other accountable with our writing. It might not be a set schedule, but it’s a weekly accomplishment that’s usually achievable.

What are your goals? Does the new year symbolize a new start to you,
or just another day? What’s your favorite weight lifting exercise?

About Insecure Writer’s Support Group
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You can find the sign up for the IWSG here. We owe Alex J Cavanaugh a huge thank you for thinking this blog hop up.

39 thoughts on “Let’s Try This Again #IWSG”

  1. Madeline Mora-Summonte says:
    January 3, 2018 at 8:05 AM

    My favorite weight lifting exercise? Lifting chocolate chip cookies to my mouth. Of course, that explains why one of my goals this year is weight loss. 🙂

    Best of luck to you in 2018, Loni!

    Reply
  2. CD Gallant-King says:
    January 3, 2018 at 9:15 AM

    The thing about being more empathetic with your kids struck a chord with me. It’s something I need to look out for myself. It’s always hard, when there’s a million things going on and the kids are whining, to be as patient and present as we should be. Something for me to watch out for this year as well.

    And 700 words seems like a good target! Obtainable and will lead to progress! Much like the fitness goals. Good luck with 2018!

    Reply
  3. Alex J. Cavanaugh says:
    January 3, 2018 at 10:05 AM

    You’ll be really healthy after that challenge!
    It’s been a long time since I had a book come out, so it’s something we both need to work on.

    Reply
  4. chemistken says:
    January 3, 2018 at 10:19 AM

    We’ll see how empathetic you feel after a few weeks of that training. The kids will learn to stay away when mommy’s hurting. Partnering up with others helps keep us accountable. I’ve done a lot more writing since I made the commitment to give something to my crit group every month.

    Good luck with the writing!

    Reply
  5. HR Sinclair says:
    January 3, 2018 at 10:39 AM

    I think you’ve made good, reasonable, attainable goals. I wish you the best of luck on all of them!

    Reply
  6. Jennifer Lane says:
    January 3, 2018 at 10:45 AM

    Babyzilla, LOL. Because you’re a writer, I bet you’re more empathic than you think. The strength training sounds kickass. Happy New Year, Loni!

    Reply
  7. Chrys Fey says:
    January 3, 2018 at 11:00 AM

    Even chipping away at something we can still achieve it. Keep it up! Have faith. You can do it!

    Reply
  8. Anna says:
    January 3, 2018 at 12:25 PM

    The plan sounds good. Especially with the kids. Let’s face it they’ll leave one day and you’ll never see their childhood again. 🙂

    Anna from elements of emaginette

    Reply
  9. Pat Garcia says:
    January 3, 2018 at 12:27 PM

    You have children to raise and that takes lots of time. Of course, you’d rather be writing on some days but right now you’re doing the most important job in the world in my opinion. You’re forming children’s lives by the way you live and react to them. And that makes me proud.
    Your writing time will come again, and when it does, you’ll shine. I just know you will because you’ve got your priorities straight.
    Wishing you all the best for 2018. Do what you can and keep walking.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat G

    Reply
  10. C. Lee McKenzie says:
    January 3, 2018 at 12:45 PM

    I’m loving that challenge! You must show us a video of those push-ups. Go, Loni.

    Reply
  11. Catherine Ensley says:
    January 3, 2018 at 2:13 PM

    There is a time for everything. It’s tough to do anything with young kids. Hugs for hanging in there. May 2018 be a better year for you.

    Reply
  12. joylene says:
    January 3, 2018 at 2:36 PM

    Raising children while trying to maintain any type of a schedule is never easy. Now that I have grown grandchildren, I understand it’s not meant to be. But regardless your children will learn by your work ethnic. They’ll understand one day what a devoted mother you were as you strived to create words to leave as a legacy for them. They will be so proud, Loni. Words cannot describe how proud. Best of luck to you in 2018. I am excited for you.

    Reply
  13. Juneta says:
    January 3, 2018 at 2:49 PM

    Wishing you the best and joyful 2018. Congrats on all you do, do. Juneta @ Writer’s Gambit

    Reply
  14. Olga Godim says:
    January 3, 2018 at 2:55 PM

    Weekly accomplishments that sound reasonable – I like this goal much more than a set schedule. I might even be able to follow in your footsteps with this one. I do dislike schedules, writing or otherwise.

    Reply
  15. Sarah Foster says:
    January 3, 2018 at 3:11 PM

    Chipping away at the writing is something that I need to do, too. Good luck with all of your goals!

    Reply
  16. Natalie Aguirre says:
    January 3, 2018 at 3:26 PM

    Sounds like you have great goals and keeping your writing goals realistic sounds good. I really like a 500 word per week goal. Thanks for the suggestion.

    Reply
  17. Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor says:
    January 3, 2018 at 4:53 PM

    You had such a challenging 2017 and I’m wishing you all the best for the year ahead. It sounds like you’re already off to a great start (way to go with that challenge!) and you have some fantastic things planned to strive for.

    Reply
  18. C.G.Coppola says:
    January 3, 2018 at 5:42 PM

    I don’t think I’d describe you as unempathetic (but I don’t really know you) but I hope it goes well! And good luck with the weight loss/exercise thing. Good for you. Seriously. I take the dog for a walk around the neighborhood (sometimes) and give myself a pat on the back.

    I really *really* hope this year is a good one for you! Lord knows you deserve it! Happy writing 🙂

    Reply
  19. Cathrina says:
    January 3, 2018 at 6:13 PM

    I had 5 kids under the age of 7 and the reason I didn’t start getting serious about writing until they were teenagers. Kids, family, and life in general take a huge chunk of time.

    Wishing you luck with your weight training and getting some serious writing accomplished. One Day at a Time! Happy New Year!

    Reply
  20. Liz A. says:
    January 3, 2018 at 7:47 PM

    An accountability buddy. That’s great. I’m sure that helps a lot.

    The thing about chipping away at things is eventually you get to the point where the finish line is in view. It just appears suddenly, and then you find that everything gets finished at roughly the same time. It’s weird, but it happens. (It happened to me last night with my yarny projects. I finished four different things just last night!)

    Reply
  21. Susan Gourley says:
    January 3, 2018 at 8:11 PM

    Sounds like you have a challenging plan set up. Best of luck to the physical and writing goals. My exercise plans have been going great for an entire week. LOL

    Reply
  22. Rachna Chhabria says:
    January 4, 2018 at 2:37 AM

    Hi Loni, your fitness goals are giving me a serious inferiority complex. My goals are to write a lot, read a lot and laugh a lot.

    Rachna Chhabria
    Co-host IWSG
    Rachna’s Scriptorium

    Reply
  23. Meka James says:
    January 4, 2018 at 7:16 AM

    Having an accountability partner helps. In my failed attempt at NaNo, my AP and I did daily check ins to help each other along. I’m bad with sticking to goals I set myself, but having to ‘report in’ gave me some focus.

    Best of luck with all things in 2018

    Reply
  24. Tamara Narayan says:
    January 4, 2018 at 7:38 AM

    I have an exercise DVD that combines cardio with weights called Billy Blanks Cardio Sculpt. I’m not sure how that would work with an injured wrist. Sounds like you need something for your legs.

    Good luck on that challenge! It sounds intense.

    Reply
  25. Cherie Reich says:
    January 4, 2018 at 9:51 AM

    Good luck with the Colonel’s Challenge! That sounds intense. 700 words per week is definitely doable. Happy New Year!

    Reply
  26. Gwen Gardner says:
    January 4, 2018 at 11:26 AM

    Your goals look do-able. You got this, Loni!!

    Happy New Year!

    Reply
  27. E.M.A. Timar says:
    January 4, 2018 at 1:07 PM

    Ithink we all worry about falling short. The important thing is that I t sounds like you have a great plan. An accountability buddy is an awesome way to stay on track. Just remember to keep moving forward and hold on to the positive feelings you have right now when thing get tough. Easier said then done I know, but it is the same advice I give myself,

    Reply
  28. L. Diane Wolfe says:
    January 4, 2018 at 1:36 PM

    It’s not too late to teach him to play some by himself. I entertained myself for hours as a kid.

    Good luck with the Colonel’s Challenge.

    Reply
  29. Joleene Naylor says:
    January 4, 2018 at 2:38 PM

    I understand the un-empathetic person issue. I have the same, and get busy and tend to ignore everyone or flat out tell them to go away. I’m trying to get better, too, but it’s not easy!

    Reply
  30. Roland R Clarke says:
    January 4, 2018 at 2:58 PM

    We have some small weights in our ‘office’ room but they’ve become decorative. I get my exercise from ‘jumping to conclusions’ – and when I lift myself out of my wheelchair like press-ups.

    Good luck with your 2018 challenges – let’s aim for two Boise authors getting published this year, Loni.

    Reply
  31. Christine Rains says:
    January 5, 2018 at 12:44 PM

    Fantastic goals! I’m trying to slow down with family too. My son never learned to play by himself, except with digital things and I try to limit his screen time. It’s hard when mama loves her screen time too! We did some fun things over the break, though. Here’s to a great 2018 for all of us! 🙂

    Reply
  32. Nicki Elson says:
    January 6, 2018 at 10:07 AM

    Accomplishing anything at all beyond daily necessities with little ones about is a major accomplishment. I didn’t even start writing in earnest until my kiddos were a bit older, so you’re way ahead of me. Best of luck with all your goals. Your abs will be amazing!!!

    Reply
  33. Julie Flanders says:
    January 7, 2018 at 12:07 PM

    I like that you partnered up with a friend like that – great way to both stay accountable and feel a sense of accomplishment. You always have so much on your plate – I can’t imagine trying to get writing done while also raising children. Good luck with the goals you’ve set and here’s to a great 2018. 🙂

    Reply
  34. Mason T. Matchak says:
    January 7, 2018 at 6:34 PM

    Physical and mental challenges sound like a good way to hit the ground running in 2018; hope everything goes well. ^_^ As for whether or not you’ll finish anything, or even get much writing done, I hear you there. 2017 was probably my least productive year ever. But all we can do is keep trying, because it’s worth it when it works.

    Reply
  35. J.H. Moncrieff says:
    January 8, 2018 at 12:40 PM

    Wow, Loni, those are some pretty spectacular goals. Let us know how your progress is going.

    I’ll have to look into this Colonel’s Challenge. It sounds pretty intense. Good luck! I’ll be cheering you on.

    Reply
  36. Nick Wilford says:
    January 9, 2018 at 3:16 AM

    Your fitness challenge sounds pretty admirable. I hope it goes really well. And keep chipping away at that writing. Even if you don’t get a book out this year, every word is progress made!

    Reply
  37. Michelle Wallace says:
    January 10, 2018 at 8:26 AM

    Good luck with the Colonel’s Challenge… sounds quite gruelling! But I know you’ll ace it!
    There’s no stopping a squirrel who is on a mission!! *wink*

    Reply
  38. Crystal Collier says:
    January 11, 2018 at 11:31 AM

    I love that. Definitely slow down around the kids. They grow up so fast and then it’s over. My oldest is leaving home in a couple months, and I’m not ready. He grew when I wasn’t looking!

    Reply
  39. Sherry Ellis says:
    January 12, 2018 at 10:17 AM

    Sometimes it really helps to do some of your goals with a partner. You hold each other accountable and accomplish them. Good luck achieving yours!

    Reply

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Welcome to my blog. I post here on Wednesdays most of the time, but you can find me on social media any day of the week. My topics include my stories and writing, life at the Town's End, creating and tinkering with graphics, things I learn and think might be helpful to others, and the occasional amateur photo. Thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you around.

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