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.