As seems to be my pattern lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about success and how to be successful in my career as a writer. I know I’m not the only person I know who is going through a strange and unsettling lull in life. You know that lull. Where you try and try and try and fight and fight and fight to cross a line or jump a hurdle or take another step and no matter what you do, you feel like you just. Can’t. Get. There.
But what if.
What if success isn’t a place.
What if success, like happiness, is a state of mind?
What if.
I’ve already made it to that place without even noticing?
What if?
Showing posts with label what I want most. Show all posts
Showing posts with label what I want most. Show all posts
Friday, May 25, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
What I Want Most
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what I want. And I’m not just talking about how badly I sometimes crave Girl Scout cookies, Black Forest gummy bears, chocolate, or Dr. Pepper. No, I’m thinking about what I want in life, in my career, with my family, stuff like that.
You may remember me quoting James Owen a couple weeks ago. He said, “Never give up what you want most for what you want most in that moment.” So I’m trying to figure out what I want most in the future and how I might be able to obtain those things.
For instance, I really, really want a literary agent and a publishing contract with a national publisher. I also really, really want to someday make money on something I write.
And I know I could have the second without the first. I could. If I choose to self publish my work, I could probably make a few dollars here and there. Maybe more than a few. But it’s really unlikely that money would be as satisfying to me as money that might come from holding onto the dream that will take much longer to reach. And while money is important to me, it isn’t as important as reaching those other big goals.* So I’m holding onto my dream and being patient.
I’d love to live somewhere tropical-ish. Or, I could go on a trip, and call that enough. (I vote for the long-term permanent solution.)
Someday I hope to write three full books per year. Or, I could write articles instead and make a little money on the side, but that would significantly cut into my ability to write novels.(I choose to focus on novels that might help me reach that goal above.)
Long term goals require planning, and also an investment of time in the present, as well as the future.
Kind of like climbing a ladder. Most of us can only climb one rung at a time, and at our own pace. Some people climb higher than they ever have, and are content (as they should be). Others feel the need to go all the way to the top.
What about you? What dreams are you holding onto in hopes of reaching a higher rung?
*NOTE: This is only what feels right for me, not necessarily for you—only you can decide that.
You may remember me quoting James Owen a couple weeks ago. He said, “Never give up what you want most for what you want most in that moment.” So I’m trying to figure out what I want most in the future and how I might be able to obtain those things.
For instance, I really, really want a literary agent and a publishing contract with a national publisher. I also really, really want to someday make money on something I write.
And I know I could have the second without the first. I could. If I choose to self publish my work, I could probably make a few dollars here and there. Maybe more than a few. But it’s really unlikely that money would be as satisfying to me as money that might come from holding onto the dream that will take much longer to reach. And while money is important to me, it isn’t as important as reaching those other big goals.* So I’m holding onto my dream and being patient.
I’d love to live somewhere tropical-ish. Or, I could go on a trip, and call that enough. (I vote for the long-term permanent solution.)
Someday I hope to write three full books per year. Or, I could write articles instead and make a little money on the side, but that would significantly cut into my ability to write novels.(I choose to focus on novels that might help me reach that goal above.)
Long term goals require planning, and also an investment of time in the present, as well as the future.
Kind of like climbing a ladder. Most of us can only climb one rung at a time, and at our own pace. Some people climb higher than they ever have, and are content (as they should be). Others feel the need to go all the way to the top.
What about you? What dreams are you holding onto in hopes of reaching a higher rung?
*NOTE: This is only what feels right for me, not necessarily for you—only you can decide that.
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