On my last post, Wrap up the year on a resounding positive note, I urged you to reorganize your thoughts and attitudes for 2016. Take time to lick your wombs and prep for a new year.

Now that we are in the New Year, it’s time to get to work! But some of us may not know where to even begin. Too often we think a new year is a reason to start something new, whether we meet our previous goals or not. But what about those goals that take longer than a year? For some, those long-term goals may even take almost a full lifetime to achieve. The key to this mystery is to use each year, each day even, to complete short-term tactics/steps that will push you closer to achieving what you want.

My goals for 2016 are the same as 2015 — I desire financial stability for my family, a continuous healthy lifestyle and I want to be a full-time writer/novelist. And to do so, I must plan and be willing to take steps, however big or small. Continuing this blog is one step, which I’m proud to say has been going for over 3 1/2 years now. And also dropping this year with be my first novella, Untraditional: A Collection of Passion-Fy Short Stories.

If you are into funny, sexy romances, I encourage you to take a peek at excepts from the book on my creative writing blog, Mid-WYFE Chronicles, and if you like them I would love for you to come out to the book launch and signing in Atlanta, GA on Feb. 6 or just wait to purchase it online that day. 

So there you have it. Proof that if you concentrate on taking steps, completing short-term tactics that support your long-term goal each year, the light at the end of your tunnel will get brighter.

This week, instead of seeking a reason to refocus on something new, concentration and plan your next steps for something old that you have yet to reach. Whether it is furthering your education, living a healthier lifestyle, going into business for yourself or whatever, outline your next steps and go. You may not be able to reach it in a month or even a year, but remember that once you do it will forever change your life and your legacy.

My Long-term goals

Live Healthier – Stop eating pork, start rock climbing, cut down on salt

• I cut down on salt in 2015. Now on to the other stuff.

Self-publish my books – Have copy edited, find graphic designer for covers and pushed first book by end of year

• ONE BOOK WILL BE PUBLISHED IN FEB. 2016! On to the next book…

Start my business – This year’s next step – Complete business plans for two of four ideas

• Started one but haven’t completed it yet. Short-term goal is to have that one knocked out by end of Summer 2016

-DNC