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Friday, October 28, 2011

On Goals, Failure, and Success

So, last week I set myself a pretty lofty goal.

I didn't make it.

I came close--and I like what I've got done so far, but in terms of the actual goal, all I got done was...



62% done!

So--in a way I failed. I didn't get the number of words that I wanted. But I did get the quality of words I wanted, and that's important, too. And that's a huge chunk that didn't exist a week before. 

But then again, I did make a bet. With y'all. I bet I'd get 100% done in my goal, and I only went a little over halfway. And so it's time to pay up.

At the beginning of the week, I said I'd give a signed copy of the paperback ACROSS THE UNIVERSE to someone who commented or tweeted this week. And the random winner is...

(who doesn't have an email address associated with her blog profile; 
Emily, please email me at bethrevis @ gmail.com with a mailing address)

And even though I wasn't 100% successful with my goal this week, I do think it helped to set a goal. And I also rather liked doing the meter thing--I don't like it much with a whole project (it intimidates me, I'll be honest!) but with a smaller goal, the meter goes up faster. 

Same bet: if I don't make my goal, a random commenter or twitter-er will get a signed paperback of AtU.

Now I just have to start the new goal!




0% done!

19 comments:

  1. Congrats on getting even 60% done! Where do you get your little meter things; I'd love to try that method for motivation.

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  2. I WON! YAYAYAYA :) So excited. Email sent!

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  3. I think that getting over 50% of your goal is still an awesome achievement. Good job. :)

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  4. 60% is more than I would have gotten done! :D YAY YOU!

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  5. Good luck, Beth! You win either way, so don't be discouraged. :)

    And congrats, Emily!

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  6. Don't chide yourself. Quality over quantity is key! :D

    --Amy in Atlanta

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  7. Well done Beth! 60% is excellent.
    I working on a manuscript atm , would love to try the metre method of motivation, where do you get it from?

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  8. 60% is more than half, and more than I'd have gotten done! Nice job!

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  9. 62% is a great achievement! And the quality was good, and that is all that really matters! :)

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  10. This happened to me last week. I didn't reach my word count, but I was so happy with the words I did write, I didn't care.

    Happy writing, y'all!

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  11. Good job Beth! At least more of book 3 is done!

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  13. Well, you didn't make your goal, but you still got pretty far. Good luck on your new goal, Beth!

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  14. 62% is still brilliant! And it makes us all happy =]

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  15. Congrats on making a good 61% quality draft! You hit the nail on the head with that one - quality is just as important as quantity in writing.

    Setting a good goal - one that's hard to reach but possible, is hard. I struggle with it sometimes because my expectations are usually so much more than what's realistic, given everything else in life. It's taken me three years to figure out what I can aspire to without driving myself insane reaching a goal I just can't do. XD

    Do we get to find out what your goal for next week is?

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  16. Thanks so much for sharing your goals with us Beth! It has been inspiring to check in to see how your coming along.

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  17. You did well though! Hopefully you'll make it this time :D

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  18. 62% is AWESOME!! I bet you can make this weeks goal!! Good luck!! :)

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  19. Word goals like this can be quite difficult to achieve, so don't beat yourself up. Good work on getting up to 62%!

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