Monday, May 3, 2010

Optimistic Mondays – Failure Creates Opportunity

I can hardly believe it's already May! I had set some goals for April, and posted them on my sidebar - shamefully so. I didn't do very well.

Okay, so my writing goal came up way short. I hoped to write 20,000 words, and only came up with 7,000. I spent a lot of time working on my first chapter, to get it ready for bootcamp. I'm glad I didn't write much more than that, because after what I learned in bootcamp, I will be changing a lot.

My personal goal for April was to not weigh myself for the entire month. It was an idea I got from another blog, encouraging us to monitor our weight by how our clothes fit, rather than obsessing about the ups and downs on the scale.

I succeeded at this goal, mainly because I sent my scale home with a friend for the month. The result? Not good. Apparently I need the numbers on the scale that tell me to stop eating so many sweets. (I'm a sucker for anything sweet.)

But the good news about failing at something, is that it creates a new opportunity. I've redefined my goals for May, and hope to do better.

My writing goal is to revise my first chapter, applying what-I-wish-I-would-have-known-before-bootcamp. Also, I need to research and create an outline, before beginning chapter 2.

My personal goal? Reverse the damage I did in April, by staying in frequent contact with my bathroom scale.

What are your goals for the month of May?

7 comments:

amber_mtmc said...

What an excellent topic for this series!

I think one of my biggest goals is to read MORE books and spend LESS time on the internet. This would probably allow me to write a little bit more. We'll see, I guess.

Angie said...

Wasn't bootcamp awesome? I think 7,000 words for a month is terrific. And good for you for your good attitude!

ticktock said...

Funny you mention the scale. I came home from work and noticed the scale on the couch. Here was the conversation:

(Me) "Why did we get a new scale?"
(Her) "It's Kim's."
(Me) "Why do we have her scale?"
(Her) "She wants to go an entire month without looking at her weight."
(Me) "That can't end well."

MTeacress said...

Hi Kim, I tagged you on my blog this afternoon. ;)

Wendy Swore said...

Ah, the scale dilemma. To weigh or not to weigh... I have to weigh too. Else my brain thinks it's being sneaky and getting away with eating junk when really, I'm not.

Such are the woes of writer's butt.

I followed MT's link to your blog. Nice place you've got here. Honest, straighforward, and entertaining posts.

Thanks for sharing!

Rebecca said...

I have two goals.

The first is to write at least 3 chapters of the book I'm working on. Having five kids, I find it difficult to find time to write every day. I need to just sit down and make time. I'll never get it done if I don't and I SO want to get it done.

My second is to lose 5-10 more pounds. I don't know if that's possible in a month, but I really want to try.

I do have a question though. What is bootcamp?

Anonymous said...

Rebecca - Bootcamp is a course that I took at a writer's conference a couple of weeks ago. It was a hands on critique session, with an instructor (published author) and 3-4 other aspiring authors.

As opposed to the kind of bootcamp for weight-loss or the military. :)