It’s my birthday today, which means Bryan is on his way to meet me at the coffee shop to discuss the goals 
I’m leaving behind and my goals for the year ahead. It’s our dorky birthday tradition—one I look forward to every December 30th.
While getting ready for this exercise, I realized how much better 2019 was than 2018. I made a concrete decision about accomplishing one thing. I set a specific goal to write the draft of a novel in 2019, starting with a blank page on the first of the year.
My goal was only achievable by giving up on past goals. If I wanted to write the draft of a novel in a year, all other goals had to be tempered. I could not write and publish “all the things.” I got one short story published and forced myself to feel satisfied with that lonely stat. I did one, sometimes two, friendship posts a month and not much else with the blog. And I didn’t try to start a podcast about friendship despite knowing that a podcast is something I’d probably enjoy. Maybe one day.
As for exercise, I worked out regularly, but moderately, and only at home, ignoring any curiosity about new studios around Minneapolis or even old studios and gyms I used to love. Can’t say I’m in my best shape, but it was a worthy sacrifice.
I taught my writing groups twice a week at ModernWell (which I could not love more) and ignored any temptation to add a third class to my schedule. I led quarterly book club meetings at ModernWell and ignored the temptation to start book clubs elsewhere. I think I’d get a kick out of that, but I’m not doing it for free. Making it a “business” would take me away from THE ONE GOAL of the year. So I didn’t give it too much thought.
And I did it! I reached my goal! I wrote 83,000 words of that novel this year. It’s called The Devines and you will probably never read it. Not for a long time, at least.
The book needs tons of work. TONS. But my 2020 goals are different than what I had in mind for 2019. I’m putting this book on hold because it needs time to rest. I can’t figure out the right ending, and I think what the manuscript needs most is a break from ME.
For 2020, I’m dividing my writing goals into two parts. January – June and July – December. For the first half, I’m going back to short stories and essays and advice posts. I miss “all the things.” And for the last half, I will either pick up The Devines again, or work on a new novel idea that came to me while working on the book. I’m excited about this mix of short writing and long writing for 2020. I will continue teaching my two classes a week and mostly exercising at home. To make sure I accomplish those writing goals, I will still need to ignore the curiosities about a podcast or more book clubs. I have four kids, a husband, and a big move coming up. I cannot do it all.
I am a little worried about being less focused in 2020 than I was in 2019, but Bryan will make me a chart today. He gets my “love language” of listening and organizing my thoughts for me. It’s the gift that gives all year.
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