HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Yes, it’s that time of the year again where I evaluate all that I accomplished (or didn’t accomplish as the case may be) in 2007. I’ll admit that 2007 was a rough year for me. I had so much personal and emotional stress going on that I failed to meet most of my goals. I’m digging in my heels, determined that 2008 will be much different.

My “I-Can-Change” goals can be summarized in one simple word: dot

Discipline: I’ve always struggled to discipline myself, both in my writing and my life responsibilities. For 2008 I am committed to setting daily page goals and sticking to them. I am also committed to limiting my time checking email and surfing the internet (which is always a good procrastination tool for me), as well as keeping up with a daily household routine.
Organization: I’ve always been fine living with organized chaos, but during the course of 2007, I realized that it’s just not working for me anymore. I’m determined to find a system to help me organize my office, my writing, and my house.
Time-Management: This one fits in with the other two. I’m the queen of procrastination, and I’ve finally come to the decision that it has to stop. No more procrastination for me! I need to create doable routines for both my house and my writing and stick to them.

If I can manage to incorporate these three things into my daily habits, not only will I be able to write faster and keep on top of my household, I’ll also feel a ton less stress. And that’s a good thing! I’m hoping to be able to complete at least two full length romantic suspense novels in 2008, and taking control of my life will get me there.

And, of course, I have two major “beyond-my-control” goals that I’m hoping to achieve in 2008:

1. Get an Agent
2. Sell to an NY publisher

I’m hoping that with a lot of patience and prayer, these goals will be met!

I always have such high hopes for really going all out during the holidays, and somehow they slowly fade amid the chaos. This year, I was hoping to make Christmas extra special, since it will be the first spent in our new home, and yet, I already feel the weight of all the to-do’s pressing in on me.

Part of this stems from the fact that Daredevil’s birthday is December 11th. It’s hard to get into Christmas mode when I’m rushing around planning his birthday party, making cupcakes, and birthday cakes, and purchasing birthday presents. I promised myself that I’d never skimp on his birthday because of its proximity to Christmas, so I’m always determined to make the most of it.

Every year I think about how I want to do a Gingerbread House with the boys, and every year, it somehow fails to happen. This year, I decided to go out and buy one of those pre-packaged Gingerbread kits. The boys aren’t going to care if I didn’t make the gingerbread myself. They’ll still have fun decorating it, and it is one way to make me feel less stressed.

What are you doing to lessen your stress this Christmas?