Attitude is Altitude: Write Higher in 2012

As the remaining hours of 2011 tick by and I look forward to a bright and shiny new year, I can’t help but remember that I didn’t reach my goal for 2011. 

Did I set my sights too high?

Or is it just the name of the game?

My one teensy-tiny goal…was to find an agent. Not just any agent either, but a rock star agent that LOVES me. With all my flaws, with all my blunders and bloopers, that’s all – nothing major right?

Well, I didn’t…but that’s okay! I had so many other positive achievements in 2011, I know I’m still reaching upward and I am nowhere near throwing in the towel. 

I say it’s time to celebrate the baby-steps! If you’re like me and didn’t quite reach your goals, but you tried like hell and gave it your best shot…then give yourself a big “WOO HOO!” from me and make yourself a list of accomplishments to reflect and remember just how far you’ve come baby!

Here are mine:

1.      One year ago I was afraid to let anyone read my work, I cowered away from criticism. Today, I can’t get my stuff into enough hands and I can’t wait to hear if they have any advice. What changed? Me. Once I was open to it and willing to rip my heart open, my writing took off and now I’ve heard so many wonderful compliments I can’t wait for the criticism, knowing the results are improvement.

2.      One year ago I was scared I’d fail if I tried. Scared I’d be laughed out of a writers group if I joined. Today, I’m brave and confident. What changed? Me. I sucked it up – sweaty palms and all – and marched into a public place, sat in front of perfect strangers and read my words, my babies out loud…and waited. Waited for laughter, waited for rejection, but it never came. Those fears were all in my head, an excuse to fail I’d invented to keep from succeeding. 

3.      One year ago I couldn’t set aside my first novel and work on anything else, I’d rewritten it a dozen times – third person narration to first person – and it still wasn’t working – not really (I still stubbornly think it has potential though) – I had refused to give up. Today, I have more than a dozen projects in the works. What changed? Me. I learned that it’s okay to move on when stuck. I learned it didn’t mean I was giving up or that I’d somehow failed. I learned it was just smart to take a break when the muse wasn’t hanging around that project anymore and go where the inspiration was leading, not cling to a deflated manuscript trying to breathe life back into it when clearly it no longer had a pulse.

4.      One year ago I didn’t have a blog, I didn’t have a twitter, and I didn’t have more than a handful of writer-type friends. Today, I have hundreds. What changed? Me. I came out of my cocoon-of-fear and spread my wings. Now I have amazing authors and writers who inspire me and encourage me every day. I couldn’t do it without you Fab-Five, Augusta Region Writers Group, SCBWI Augusta, Georgia Writer’s Association and of course… YOU! My wonderfully uplifting followers, you keep me going!

So, I did not fail in 2011, I just didn’t know enough to set the “write” goal.

This year, my aim for 2012 is still to find an awesome agent, but it’s not the only thing I’m reaching for. This year I’m going to strive to keep improving and give back the courage, the inspiration and the momentum all of you have given me.

I wish for all of you, growth, courage, strength, and the freedom to let go.

Once you’ve decided you’re perfect, there’s nowhere to go but down. If you’re dented or lumpy, scarred or stained but trying to improve…then you’re always in an upward motion, even when you feel stuck. Keep reaching for better altitude.    ~ Share the Vibe ~

Did you make your goal last year and what are you reaching for in 2012?