Category Archives: Goals

September 2015 Goals

  By Ralene Burke • September 1, 2015

PIC1068506062Ah, summer is finally gone. I can smell the start of autumn in the cool night air. My frustrations with heat and humidity combined with allergies and taking on too much made for a sick Ralene for most of the summer. Also, I realized that not taking my goals and priorities seriously caused a lot of the problems.

That brings us into September. A new month–a time for change. We’re done with the craziness of summer and ready to embrace the glories of fall and prepare for my favorite time of year–the holiday season between Halloween and New Years! But I digress . . . here are my goals for September!

 

1. Rediscover my priorities and develop a schedule that reflects said priorities. I have the coming weekend to think over things and decide what is most important and how much time I need to devote to the important things–and how flexible I need to be. Then I need to draft a schedule and talk it over with my hubby.

2. Finish editing Bellanok Pt. 1 and get it ready for publishing, then write Bellanok Pt. 2 & 3. I’m going to be setting a goal of 2,000 words/day, which would be 48,000 for the month. Ambitious, especially considering I have ACFW later in the month. Eep!

3. Reinstate family night and date night. With Ray’s school hours this year and my hectic work schedule, we have let go of these precious and important experiences. So, when I make up the schedule, I will choose a night for both and start planning out some family/date fun!

 

Baby steps. Those are important for me. Big chunks make me freeze. Anyone else like that? I keep thinking I can take on big chunks, but then when I fail I think I AM A FAILURE. Instead, I need to make sure I’m setting myself up for success. And, when I do fail, it is an opportunity to try again!

 

What are your goals for September? Let’s keep each other accountable! 

July 2015 Goals

  By Ralene Burke • July 6, 2015

PIC1068506062It’s that time again. We’ve got 4 new weeks to get some real work done! Who’s with me?

I’m still on vacation, so I’m not going to write out a normal post. Here’s my goals for July.

1. Finish and edit the first segment of Bellanock. My agent, who is also an editor, is going to edit for me, and my friend, Jennette of Master Design Solutions, is going to do the covers. Yay!

2. I’m working on a new business venture, which I can’t tell you all much about at this time. The hope is to reveal all at Realm Makers next month. In order to do that, I have to get the business planned laid out, the website at least started, and some marketing materials drawn up. The good thing with this is that I’ll have help!

3. I have 2 edits and a critique scheduled for July. I’m going to keep on target and finish all of them by their respective deadlines!

4. I think I have a husband and kids who still need attending to. No, seriously, my husband and I have decided to finally bite the bullet. He’s going gluten-free as soon as we get back from vacation, and so am I. I’d like to see if that helps some of my stomach and fatigue issues. It could be my diabetes not being under control too. Hopefully, it’ll help both!

So those are my big goals, and frankly about all that I can handle!

What are your goals for July? 

June Goals

  By Ralene Burke • June 5, 2015

PIC1068506062We’re already a few days into the month of June, but what a month it looks to be! I’m finally caught up after being sick off and on for 6 weeks. I’ve sat down and scheduled things out so hopefully I can stay on task!

So, what are my goals for June?

1. Write 20K on Bellanock–that’s 20 days of 1,000 words! Bellanock was originally going to be a stand alone novel, but now my agent and I are discussing either doing 3-4 novellas or some other sort of series of shorts. I’m really excited. But mostly, I’m just thrilled to be writing something NEW!

2. Prepare my social media for writers workshop for the KY Christian Writers Conference (last Saturday of June). I have most of it outlined in my head. I just need to sit down and jot it all out and develop the handout.

3. Finish the free content for my website. I’m excited to offer my newsletter subscribers some awesome handouts and other fun stuff over the next few months.

4. Exercise at least 3 times a week. I’m slowly figuring out ways/times to work exercise into my schedule. I know it’s important, and it really should be a priority. I’m just so busy! (That’s what everyone says, I know.) But even if I just get up earlier in the morning, I could work in a short walk, right?

So, there’s my main focuses this month. I have a lot going on schedule-wise, but I’m excited about all the opportunities God is placing in my path. God is good–all the time.

What about you? What are your goals for June? Let’s keep each other accountable!