More On Resolutions

I think this blog has become, of late, LadY of letters, alas.

Still, I'll keep plugging away and hoping my compatriots materialize.

I've never been a fan of New Year's resolutions, but I understand why they exist. The changing of the calendar seems to grant a carte blanche. All those mistakes made last year? They're gone! The things you wanted to do but didn't? You can do them now! That five-ten-fifteen pounds you gained? Lose it! (I get a kick out of how the only thing on television on new year's day are endless 'diet/health/weight loss/exercise program shows.) The new year is untarnished, perfect. Still, always the little voice in the head says "This will be just like last year. You'll eat well for two weeks, you'll exercise for one, maybe you'll read more books in the first month, or write more words, but what will really change?"

Perhaps that little voice is mine and mine alone, but such is the lot of the perfectionist.

Experts say if you make a resolution of any kind, at the new year or any time, the key is to make that goal small, realistic and attainable. Have a plan of action built into it. Instead of saying, "I want to lose weight" say "I want to train for and run a 10K in six months" or "I want to practice yoga three times per week." Think about what you gain (fitness, toned arms) rather than focusing on needing to get rid of something (the obnoxious layer of tummy fat/jiggly arms/cellulite).

Change can seem intoxicating, I think, but for me it is also scary as hell. I am not good with change. Oh, I'm as adaptable as the next person (maybe even more so... changing schools half a dozen times in your life will do that to a person) but I don't like it.

Being stagnant never made anyone happy, though.

So, even though I posted a list of things I want in 2008, I know very well I didn't (and still don't) have action plans in place for most of those things. First up?

1. Buy a printer
2. Find five books I like/seem to fit the same genre as mine and find out which agents represented those books.
3. Finish query letter.
4. Send query letter to those five agents.

Rinse and repeat as long as necessary.

At least it will be taking baby steps along a long road that, like most roads, may seem scary when you're standing at the fork, but, hey, it's just a road.