“Go with the flow and keep your ducks in a row!” (Credit: Megan Kopp)

And just when you think you have it all worked out – you realise you’ve only just begun.  Fresh on the heels of my site launch, I’m slightly overwhelmed by the social media links necessary to keep blog visits increasing and garner that ever-favoured search engine approval.  But I’m not resting on my laurels and am surging… okay – plodding… ahead by taking an online course called Blogging for Passion & Profit. Jane’s words of wisdom put my fears of technology into perspective:  “I think everyone is a technophobe to some extent … mainly because tech stuff changes every day.”

I’m not alone!  That’s a marvellous feeling for someone who carries on conversations in their head and is stuck at a keyboard for however many hours a day.  So I’m moving ahead, adding a Twitter feed link to the site and announcing blogposts on Facebook.  As with any project, the key to success is to keep going.

“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” – Unknown

“Focus, motivation, and fun!” (Credit: Brad Kopp)

This writer’s life is all about learning. Today I’m learning how to establish my blog, how to map a writing career and how to set the bus on the right road. The wheels are spinning, but the GPS system needs a little fine-tuning. I like to think it’s a sign of a creative mind to have so many projects on the go, but I’m realising that in order to reach my final destination, I’m going to need to set clear goals.

Goal Number One: Focus
I’m writing my dreams and goals down (in one book) and talking about them with other writers. These two simple acts are making me focus and prioritize my projects. If you can’t describe the route to someone else, how will you know which road you need to take?

Goal Number Two: Stay Motivated
It’s too easy to become excited by a project and then falter when you hit a roadblock. Suddenly you’re taking a detour and the original destination is lost in the joy of the new path. And when the road closes ahead, you race off on yet another joyride. I want to stay motivated to finish some of the big projects I’ve had in mind for several years. I want to reach those particular destinations. Writing it down is a start and when I need motivation, I’ll see these words and remember my goals.

The Ultimate Goal
Do all of this, but still have fun while I’m doing it!

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow, what a ride!'” – Hunter S. Thompson