Commit to a plan...

It goes without saying (or at least it should) that goals are important when pursuing a freelance writing career.

We are on the eve of November and I have already begun working on my list of goals for 2010.

I have my rough outline of three major items that I would like to accomplish. Now, over the next two months, I will review them, add to them and outline them until I have a steadfast and detailed plan for accomplishing them.

I know some people might find this process a bit hokey, or even borderline crazy, but over the years I have found that it really works.

For me it is not so much the physical act of writing down my goals that helps me. As a matter of fact, I rarely revisit the list when it is completed. For me it is more about the thought process that is induced by writing down my goals.

When you commit a plan to paper, you are acknowledging that this act is not only worthy, but plausible.

I think that everyone has an ultimate goal. We must or we wouldn't bother to get out of bed in the morning. But how many of us really take the time to define that goal.

For instance, most people probably have the goal to save more money. Ok, so what are you going to do today, tomorrow, next week, next month and next year to help you save more money?

If you can't answer those questions off the top of your head, then you haven't committed to a plan, and more than likely, you will not take any real steps in the next year toward your goal.

Everyone has heard the expression "stuck in a rut." It is lack of a plan that gets us there.