Being a Goal-Getter in 2018 by Leigh Anne Eck

"Motivation is what gets you started.  Habit is what keeps you going."

I recently read this quote somewhere, and I think it perfectly sums up the beginning of any endeavor. Today we turn the page of the calendar and enter a new year.  A new year brings new beginnings and clean pages.  There is something refreshing about that, yet it can also be quite intimidating.  

I have used the new year to start improvements from dieting and exercising to reading the Bible.  Often times I am motivated, but fail to create the habit.  This usually leads to disappointment.

But it doesn't have to be that way.  This month our #TeachWrite community wants to be a support system to help all of us achieve our writing goals.

Setting goals can keep us focused on what we want to accomplish.  As we focus on these goals, habits begin to form and hopefully will lead to success.

So, take a little time this month and think about what goals you want for your writing life.  Maybe it is to start a notebook or to write a certain number of words each day.  Maybe it is to blog a certain number of days each week or to write a guest post for the  #TeachWrite Chat Blog.  Maybe it is to write more with your students or to write a professional article.

Whatever your goal is, please know that we are here to support you.  Here are a few ideas that might jumpstart your thinking about setting your goal(s).

One Little Writing Word

Many people choose to focus their year around a one little word.  Instead of making resolutions, they choose a word to guide them throughout the year.  Why not think about choosing a one little writing word, or one word to focus on just your writing life?

Personal Mission Statement

Try writing a personal mission statement for your writing life.  A personal mission statement is a description of what you want to focus on, what you want to accomplish as a writer or the writer you want to become.

Mantra

Maybe you want to narrow your focus and write a mantra.  A writing mantra is a short positive statement that you can say to yourself to encourage or motivate you as a writer.  A mantra can even be a quote from someone else that could have a positive impact on your writing life.

Goal

As teachers, we set goals with our students all the time.  Many times we use the SMART acronym:  specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely. Think about what SMART goals you could set for yourself as a writer.

Affirmation

As writers, we understand the power of words.  Affirmations help us to set our intentions as a writer.  When we begin to whisper these positive affirmations, we begin to believe them.

Motivation is what gets you started.  Let us help you create a writing habit and become a goal getter in 2018!

Leigh Anne Eck just started her 11th year of teaching.  She has taught 4th, 5th and currently teaches 6th grade ELA at a middle school in Indiana.  She is currently working on her Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Western Governors University with a goal of becoming a literacy coach.  Leigh Anne has a passion for connecting kids with books and helping teachers develop a writing life.  You can connect with her on Twitter @Teachr4 or on her blog, A Day in the Life. 

Write for Us!
The #TeachWrite Twitter Chat Blog is dedicated to providing a space for our community to connect and share their voices about writing and teaching writing.  We are looking for guest bloggers for January who would like to blog on topics related to our January theme -- GOALS.  Educators and writers of all levels are invited to join us in this space. More information can be found here.