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| Gigi Devine Murfitt |
Author Gigi Devine Murfitt is back to share
some tips that will help us reach our writing goals in 2017. Which one needs to
be at the top of your list?
~ Dawn
Eight
Steps to Your Best Writing Year
In my last post, I shared about a few classes that helped me
as a writer. One such course is Michael
Hyatt’s class he offers each year. It is called Five Days to Your Best Year Ever.
Michael is the former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing. When
the company was merged, he left to launch his book, Platform-Get
Noticed in a Noisy World, and his own business for intentional
leadership where he mentors thousands of writer’s just like you.
I participated in this class in 2014 and 2016, and it helped
me to start my year with clear writing and personal goals. The class is only
offered in the late fall and closes in early January. Hopefully, if you didn’t
participate, you can join at the end of 2017.
From Michael’s experience in the writing and corporate
world, he suggests the following to set yourself up for a great year.
1. Reflect
on the past year. As I reviewed my journals from the prior year,
I found several potential writing ideas to add to my ever-growing list. I saw
some changes that needed to take place and set them as goals for the New Year.
2. Keep
a positive attitude. It is
important not to focus on what you did not accomplish in the prior year, but to
learn from it and move into the New Year with a new perspective.
3. Express
Gratitude. Gratitude helps with staying positive. I have a gratitude
journal that helps me track the things I’m grateful for. Think about what you
are thankful for in your writing life.
4. Eliminate
the Excess. Is there something in your life that is not
positively contributing to your writing life? Maybe it’s time to make some
changes.
5. Set
smart goals. If you set a clear vision that is specific and
measurable, you are more likely to be successful. Focus on why you want to
achieve that goal. When we know the why, the how and when fall into place
6. Break
your goals down to manageable pieces. Perhaps you can break your
goals into tasks for each month or quarter. This will help you focus while you
accomplish small bits of the big goal.
7. Schedule your year. Seeing
the tasks of each goal on a calendar will increase your chances of getting
finishing them. This process also protects your time.
8. Include time to unplug. Be
sure to schedule down time throughout the year to recharge. Put this time for
God, family and fun on your calendar as you prepare for your year.
A look at this list can be overwhelming. But just as our
articles are broken into paragraphs and paragraphs into sentences and sentences
into words, breaking down our writing goals will provide a map to get to the
end destination.
If you don’t already subscribe to Michael’s blog, I highly
suggest you do. It is rich with helpful tools for writing and life.
Bless you in this New Year with goals to make it your best.
JOURNAL
THE JOURNEY
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| Journal of Gratitude |
OF GRATITUDE
Recording moments of gratitude is a very beneficial process
to better health. This Gratitude Journal is the perfect place to record daily
blessings.
Dr. Robert A Emmons, Ph.D. is the world’s leading scientific
expert on gratitude. As professor, at the University of California, Davis. he
says that, “Gratitude has the power to heal, to energize, and to change lives.”
Albert Schweitzer said, “Gratitude is the secret to life.”
Brian Tracy said, “Develop an attitude of gratitude, and
give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward
is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current
situation.”
Recording your gratitude is a relatively easy process. Take
time to jot a blessing in the morning and again, at night. Or write two or
three entries each day. Make it your own and watch how it improves your day.
The blessings for generations to come will fill the pages of
this journal as you take time to write each day. Bless you on your gratitude journey.
Gigi Devine Murfitt
writes and speaks about some of life’s most challenging topics. Raised in a
single parent home with nine siblings, and the mother of Gabe whose story of
being born with three-inch arms has inspired millions, she has served as coach,
encourager and support to many throughout her life. Sought out by those facing
all kinds of hardships, her passion for over forty years has been going deeper
with God by journaling to connect the events of her life with the promises of
his Word.
Connect with Gigi and learn more about her work by visiting
the following sites:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gigi.murfitt
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GigiMurfitt
