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Contests & Activities: January 22, 2014 Issue [#6112]

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Contests & Activities


 This week: Staying Motivated
  Edited by: spidey Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

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Welcome to the Contests & Activities Newsletter. I'm spidey Author Icon, and I'm your Editor this week!



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Letter from the editor

It's all about Motivation!


Last month, I discussed the concept of "No More Zero Days," or doing just one thing every day toward your goals (because one is more than zero, right?). The concept is simple, but the real battle, I think, is motivating yourself. Goals are all well and good, but how do we keep ourselves motivated in striving toward those goals?

It's all about knowing yourself. Think of a time in the past when you've reached a goal. What helped you stick with it? What kept you motivated? If you can figure that out, it can help you reach future goals! Don't be afraid to try different methods. What works for some may not work for others and what worked one time might not necessarily work again. Experiment and find your path!

Some tips for motivation:

Keep it simple. Don't give yourself too many goals at once. Try to focus on one or a few at a time. Don't overwhelm yourself by creating a long list of goals.

Keep it in mind. Keep your goals in front of you. Look at them often! Put them on sticky notes on your computer, on a calendar, anywhere you look often. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

Be specific. Let's say your goal is to "Write More." Well, that's a pretty broad idea, isn't it? Try a goal of "Write 100 words every day," or simply, "Write at least one sentence every day." Know what you can handle and work with that. By creating specific goals, it will be easier to achieve them and cross them off your list!

Don't be afraid of change. If a goal isn't working out for you, don't be afraid to change it. If you find yourself grasping to reach a specific goal, tweak it to something more attainable.

Don't be too hard on yourself. Didn't reach your goal one day? Forgive and move on. Tomorrow's a new day! Don't be afraid to start over. Failure is a part of growing and definitely a part of reaching your goals. Give yourself time to build your new habits!

Find a support system. There are lots of great groups on WDC! Find one that supports you toward your goal! If you can't find one for your specific goal, consider creating one! Odds are, you'll find others with a similar goal in mind!


I recently found a very motivating site online, called HabitRPG. You set up goals and when you cross them off, you get experience points, like an RPG-style video game. It's such a silly, simple concept, but it really works for me! There will always be days where I get very little done toward my goals, but that's okay. I'll just start again the next day, or the day after that. The important thing, I think, is to keep on trying. *Smile*



Keep on writing!




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Ask & Answer

My last newsletter, ("Contests & Activities Newsletter (December 25, 2013)Open in new Window.), discussed No More Zero Days!


Yes! To no more zero days. Because one is more than zero. I think I can do that.
~ NaNoNette Author Icon

Go you! *Smile*




Write a little bit every day.
~ BIG BAD WOLF is Howling Author Icon

Great goal! Good luck!



In answer to your question about keeping myself motivated and avoiding 'zero days', I'm a procrastinator, and really need deadlines to motivate me. Thankfully Rhonda Author Icon has set up "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window. and I know it's going to help me make real progress on my goals and avoid zero days...or at least zero weeks! ~ ella

Awesome! Sounds like you know what motivates you! That's half the battle!



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~ sunnystarr

You're quite welcome! *Smile*




Questions to think about:
How are your 2014 goals going? How are you staying motivated?


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