Monday, January 2, 2012

Goals, not resolutions

Image by Ginger Nielson, one of my favorite illustrators
     Another year has dawned, and ready or not, here we go. Some people make resolutions, but I don't any more because I always broke any resolutions I made. Now I make goals, because even if I don't make them completely, I've moved forward because I tried to reach the goal.

     My goals for 2012 are personal, business, and writing. No, although the three may be connected, they are not the same.

     Personal goals include finding ways for Robert and me to spend more quality time together, working or playing together. I want to walk closer to God. I want to pray for my family more. I want to spend more time with my family.

     Business goals include searching for ways to increase financial stability; give authors, illustrators, and staff more; add to our staff; and hopefully continue publishing quality books.

     Writing goals include finishing at least three of the projects I've begun.

     Hopes include placing in several categories in the OWFI writing competition. I entered ten categories, but winners are not announced until the Saturday night banquet of the conference.

     Another hope is for 4RV Publishing and some of the categories that 4RV books and staff members are nominated for the Preditors and Editors Readers Poll take first place. Votes are needed for that to happen.
     Science Fiction - Time Pullers by Horton Deakins
      http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelsf.shtml

      Children's - Walking Through Walls by Karen Cioffi illustrated by Aidana WillowRaven
                        Gunther the Underwater Elephant by Ginger Nielson
       http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelchildrens.shtml

     Other Novels - Sparrow Alone on the Housetop by Jean James and Mary James
       
http://critters.org/predpoll/novel.shtml

      Print Book and e Publishing ( yes, both) - 4RV Publishing
       http://www.critters.org/predpoll/ebookpublisher.shtml
 
      All I can do now is work toward each goal.



7 comments:

Melanie said...

I agree resolutions aren't the way to go. Once one falls by the wayside, you feel like you've failed.

Goals on the other hand, are like the carrot dangled in front of you. You strive to get ever closer to it until you reach it.

You've got some great goals here, Vivian. I hope you're able to attain them all.

I've voted in all the categories but can't vote for Ginger as I've already voted for Karen in the Children's category. Speaking of Ginger, I featured her Gunther book on my blog in 2011.

All the best for 2012!

Ginger*:) said...

I am so glad you decided on goals! That makes so much sense. I am already beginning to outline mine

Rena Jones said...

I guess I see it differently. I've always considered goals and resolutions to be one in the same.

Happy New Year, Vivian.

Vivian Zabel said...

A resolution is a fact. It's a "formal expression of opinion or intention". It's a resolve or determination to do something. Yes, that is the dictionary definition. It's an absolute. You are going to do "this".

A goal is also a fact. It's the "result or achievement toward which effort is directed. Aim. End." A goal is something you strive for, you achieve to accomplish something. You see the end result and you make steps to get there.

Vivian Zabel said...

Sorry, hit Publish before I finished.

There is a difference between resolution and goal. A resolution is either finished or not, no steps toward: success or failure, no in between. A goal is the result wanted and which a person works toward. If one doesn't reach the end result, he can still have made progress and improved.

That's why I set goals, not resolutions.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful goals, Vivian. I did a combination of goals and resolutions this year. May 2012 be a wonderful year for us all!

Vivian Zabel said...

Susanne, I agree. "May 2012 be a wonderful year for us all!"