What a bizarre year 2020 has been. However, it’s not been without success.
When you look at the big picture of the outside world, you can’t miss how messed-up 2020 has been.
Between the most contentious, ludicrous, mind-numbingly awful election in memory; an out-of-control global pandemic; a narcissistic man-child who cares only for himself and his power; and the uncertainty of how it will play out – we’re all rather exhausted.
Many people have experienced far more personal issues with this bizarre year. This has included children learning remotely, jobs going remote or being lost, needing masks when you are in public, and the wise avoiding gatherings to protect themselves, their loved ones, and everyone. None of this was expected, nor has it gone without impacting EVERYONE on one level or another.
For me, this has been an interesting year, and not necessarily along the lines of the Chinese curse (May you live in interesting times). I started 2020 with the most incredible freelance job I’ve ever had and a new focus on my writing practices.
Before the end of the year, I have completed and published three new books and written two more for publishing in 2021.
I’ve taken this bizarre year and – rather than let it get me down – made use of it to go to new places.
Still, I’m not quite where I desire to be. But that gives me goals heading into the new year.
Actions, not resolutions
Lots of people begin to consider their New Years’ Resolutions now. These are ideas and notions for things to be done in the new, forthcoming year to make your life better.
Typical resolutions include things like quitting drinking, diets, journaling, doing better at ‘X’, more time with family, less time with toxic people, and numerous other promises to do better.
The problem with resolutions is that they are kind of flabby. They have no weight and are naught but ideas with no action. Hence, why Yoda’s wisdom is so appropriate to this:
“Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.”
Making a resolution is a try. It tends to be half-assed and lacking in something actionable.
This is why I began the practice of a New Year’s Actions entering into 2012.
My action that year was to write a blog article and post it on my website once a week. Every single Wednesday I would post a blog for the next year.
This is an action. A time is set, a plan is placed, and I have a direction for what to do.
And it worked. I have been writing Pathwalking blogs every single week for just about 9 years. Hence, the most recent was the 468th. Yes, that’s 468 WEEKS of consecutive blogging.
I made no resolution – I took an action. From my weekly blogging, I expanded to twice, then thrice a week – and now daily. That is powerful action.
To take action instead of making a resolution, set a real goal. I will go to the gym every weekday morning at 8am or I’ll meditate for 5 minutes a day every morning at 10am or I’ll write one chapter of my book a day by 5pm are all easy to act upon.
Action is the key
Any action you take makes a difference. For example, you could leave your mobile phone in another room when you go to bed to not spend an hour on the screen before going to sleep. Setting times to do things makes them easier to schedule – or note if missed.
Not so long ago, I decided to get up and read first thing in the morning. I get out of bed, have a glass of water, then read at least a chapter of fiction and a chapter of nonfiction. Very quickly, this has become a daily routine I look forward to, cherish, and enjoy.
It doesn’t matter if the action is big or small – taking an action is how you create effective changes in your life.
Despite this truly bizarre year, I’ve gotten three books published and done more writing in the last four months than I have in years. I’ve taken a new approach and worked to create a plan – which has proven to increase rather than decrease my creativity (and productivity).
I have already taken actions to set in motion my 2021 plans. The first sci-fi novel for my new series is at the editor. I have also sent specs to my cover artist to get her started. Though not public, I began to create a new page for the series on my website. Finally, I have hired a marketing company to help get me out there more and increase my sales so I can truly live my life as a full-time author.
I’ve taken these actions, all with the intent of new and greater success in the coming year.
Of course, there are no guarantees. But action is how you get from where you are to anywhere you desire to go.
Another bizarre year?
Okay, let’s face an important truth here. When December 31st, 2020 turns into January 1st, 2021, the world won’t simply reset. All the crazy of 2020 won’t simply go away with the start of a new calendar year.
That doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t look to the new year as an opportunity to take action and make changes.
I currently am planning to publish 6 books in 2021. Every-other month, starting in February, 2 books from The Void Incursion series and the first 4 books from my new Forgotten Fodder series. Along the way, I will continue blogging 6 of 7 days a week.
I had a lot of success in 2020. Of course, this bizarre year has impacted me in a lot of negative ways, too. For example, I haven’t been able to fence at a practice since March – and miss it (and the people) a ton. Due to COVID-19, my amazing freelance job ended.
If all I focus on is the negative – consciousness creates reality. That’s not what I desire for my life now, and certainly not going forward. Thus, my huge plans for 2021 are afoot, and the success of this year has plenty of room to grow bigger.
Sure, 2021 might be as much of a bizarre year as 202 has been. But I will still take actions to do everything I can to make it a great year for me.
This is not selfish
Let me reiterate – this is not selfish. A great year for me is fuel in my emotional and spiritual tanks. That fuel can help me to help others in lots of ways.
These articles offer ideas and insights into the ongoing process of creating my brand. Everyone has various ongoing processes in their lives. I share mine because I believe my insight, ideas, and the lessons I learn can help others.
That’s why I share all the articles I do. The thing I most desire to do – the impact I most desire to make – is to help better other people. Success can do exactly that. Especially because the measure of success is wholly personal.
I published 3 books in 2020. Their sales are not spectacular – but I am working to improve upon that. Because when I have more – I can give more. That’s how I have always viewed this.
This bizarre year is nearing its end. I have every intention of taking the new year and finding and/or creating a lot of awesomeness. Further, the success I achieved in this bizarre year I fully intend – and am working to carry forward and expand exponentially – into the new year.
Have you got any New Years’ Actions you’d like to apply in 2021?
Thank you for being part of my ongoing journey, for joining me, and for inspiring me and my craft.
This is the eighty-eighth article exploring the ongoing creative process. Please take a moment to check out the collection of my published works, which can be found here.
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