We all get discouraged sometimes, thinking we might never achieve our dreams or reach the level of success we envision for ourselves. Maybe sometimes the future looks bleak, and you feel hopeless. Maybe you even feel like giving up sometimes. I know I do.
Something that really helps me stay focused is to make an annual list of goals and track that as the months go by.
In early January of each year, I review a short list of goals. It’s only one page.
First, I sit down and make a list of all of last year’s accomplishments. I put that at the top half of the page. I review this list to remind myself of everything I actually got done. This is an extremely encouraging exercise. It’s so easy to forget all the hard work and sweat you put into your work. Making this short list of accomplishments can reassure you, “Hey, yeah, I did accomplish a lot to be proud of last year. Look how much further I’ve come!”
For example, some of the goals I set for last year, and accomplished, include: “Get website updated, clear & focused”, and, “Get on Facebook”, and, “Study comedy scripts as research for new spec script, “Dead Religious”.
And at the bottom of the page, I make a new list of goals I hope to achieve during the current year. Some of these goals may carry over from the previous year, but many of them are new, based on where I’ve come in the last year. It’s my roadmap for the new year.
I make goals specific, realistic, and attainable: like, “Get on IMDBpro & research WGA agents”, or “Study five produced screenplays”, or “Attend Screenwriting Expo in November”; not “Sell a screenplay”, or “Win an Academy Award”.
Some of my goals for 2010 include, “Refine, rewrite, and rework ‘The Envelope’ for production in 2012”, and, “Write the first act of ‘Dead Religious’, and “Research producers, companies, and talent in regard to ‘Cumberland’s Gold’”.
My current list of goals shows 28 accomplishments from 2009, and 17 goals for 2010.
If you set realistic goals for yourself and put your mind to it, you can and will get them done!
Try it!
Something that really helps me stay focused is to make an annual list of goals and track that as the months go by.
In early January of each year, I review a short list of goals. It’s only one page.
First, I sit down and make a list of all of last year’s accomplishments. I put that at the top half of the page. I review this list to remind myself of everything I actually got done. This is an extremely encouraging exercise. It’s so easy to forget all the hard work and sweat you put into your work. Making this short list of accomplishments can reassure you, “Hey, yeah, I did accomplish a lot to be proud of last year. Look how much further I’ve come!”
For example, some of the goals I set for last year, and accomplished, include: “Get website updated, clear & focused”, and, “Get on Facebook”, and, “Study comedy scripts as research for new spec script, “Dead Religious”.
And at the bottom of the page, I make a new list of goals I hope to achieve during the current year. Some of these goals may carry over from the previous year, but many of them are new, based on where I’ve come in the last year. It’s my roadmap for the new year.
I make goals specific, realistic, and attainable: like, “Get on IMDBpro & research WGA agents”, or “Study five produced screenplays”, or “Attend Screenwriting Expo in November”; not “Sell a screenplay”, or “Win an Academy Award”.
Some of my goals for 2010 include, “Refine, rewrite, and rework ‘The Envelope’ for production in 2012”, and, “Write the first act of ‘Dead Religious’, and “Research producers, companies, and talent in regard to ‘Cumberland’s Gold’”.
My current list of goals shows 28 accomplishments from 2009, and 17 goals for 2010.
If you set realistic goals for yourself and put your mind to it, you can and will get them done!
Try it!
If you'd like a tool for setting your goals, you can use this web application:
http://www.Gtdagenda.com
You can use it to manage your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use checklists, schedules and a calendar.
A Vision Wall (inspiring images attached to yor goals) is available too.
Works also on mobile.
Posted by: Dan | 01/27/2010 at 08:31 AM