I like beginnings. So much potential lies at the beginning–the launch of a business, the first day of school, or Chapter One of a book. I also find it easy to start something and not finish it. Doesn’t it seem like there’s never enough time for us creative types to sustain our writing excitement? The spark that ignited our idea somehow dims as we push through the middle and try to keep up with the hard work at the end. It’s not like there isn’t anything else to do!

What really matters?

One way to overcome obstacles and roadblocks in your writing career is to periodically review your accomplishments and formulate new ideas and goals. Writing out current goals to be accomplished this month, along with short-term goals and long-term goals, will help you identify how best to use your time. Since you don’t have to show this to anyone else, I suggest writings lots of goals, even if some may sound a little crazy now, and give yourself a deadline. When a few months have passed, look back at what you’ve written. Now you can easily see what you’ve accomplished.

Here are a few of my recent goals: prepare and give a writer’s workshop, submit to a contest, write a new flash fiction, update my bulletin board, critique another writers work, attend a writer’s group meeting, listen to a webinar, and write a thank you. No matter how small the achievement, celebrate what you’ve done and know you are walking down a path that is designed to lead to a more meaningful, integrated life.

Use Your Margins

Making the most of your time is definitely a priority. In today’s busy world, the solution is to use the margins of your day, the minutes that are free for the taking, to cultivate your writing. These margins are flexible, and only you can piece them together to make time for what’s important and create balance in your life.

I say, use your margins! Write your goals! Take back your time! Who knows? It may be the beginning of something wonderful!