The
number one attribute that separates the successful from
the also-rans in life is the ability to set goals. Goals
are not wish lists or thoughts made on New Year's Eve,
they are tangible plans of action.
Step 1: Set your goal statement:
I
will become a published author.
I
will lose35 pounds. I will quit smoking.
I
will graduate school with my degree.
Step
2: Set a definite beginning and ending date.
Ending dates are so important. I remember when I was a
grad student working towards my doctorate. Most of the
students were ten years older than me or more, and had
been languishing in the program for more years. Why? Because
they were "drifting" with their final requirements
(dissertation and final exams). Not me. I marched up to
my advisor and said, "Plan on me graduating this
May." With that statement, I "forced" the
other members of my graduation/dissertation committee
to step up to my pace.
Step 3: Devise your step by step plan that will equate
to the end date.
In writing MEG's original manuscript, I set a start date
in August 1995 and a conclusion date of a completed manuscript
in January 1996. I figured I would write 4-5 pages a night,
6 nights a week. Once completed, I would edit and research
how to get published and go from there, but this particular
goal was simply to have finished a manuscript.
Without goals we are nothing. I highly recommend you read
THINK & GROW RICH by Napoleon Hill.
Assuming you did all of the above and finished your manuscript,
it is time for Step 5: Editing.
