When I asked my friends and family if they were making New Year’s Resolutions this year, I got a lot of rolled eyes in response.
January is a time for change, but some of us are better at embracing those changes than others.
I like to think of this month as an exercise in reflection. I intend to take a long, hard look at my life and identify those areas that need a bit of a tweak.
Starting with my professional life.
I doubt there are any writers out there who couldn’t do with some adjustment.
If you think you’ve got this writing thing nailed, take a look at the below list.
Some of them might just surprise you…..
#1 Read More Widely
Make 2018 the year you step out of your reading comfort zone.
Stop taking recommendations from friends and combing through the usual bestseller lists.
Choose genres you’ve never enjoyed before, give a shunned author another try, read something from the classics.
And, if all else fails, join a book club.
#2 Upgrade Your Writing Space
Your office isn’t just an office.
It’s a sanctuary, a haven, a work floor and a creative shrine.
And you’re going to spend a lot of time there in the coming year so why not make it as comfortable, productive and aesthetically pleasing as possible?
What that looks like depends on you.
Take a look around your office. What can you do to make it better?
- Get better lighting so you’re not squinting at your screen
- Invest in a standing desk
- Buy some art for the walls
- Add some plants
- Install a lock on the door
#3 Conquer social media
I’ve written before about how writers need to tackle Twitter.
Social media’s not going anywhere, it’s where you’ll find your audience and your community.
And there’s lots of resources to help you get to grips with digital strategies.
Mediabistro, Lynda and Skillshare can all help you get started.
#4 Buy a Day Planner
Setting a schedule is so important for writers.
Not only will it help with deadlines, it’ll also encourage you to be productive in small ways every single day.
Make the calendar your friend in 2018 and you’ll have a highly productive, stress-free year.
#5 Invest in Your Skills
The marketplace changes, and so should your skills.
Writing isn’t just a matter of knowing your grammar and being able to put a sentence together.
You have to continually keep up with what’s happening in your industry and stay ahead of the curve.
The best way to do that is to invest in yourself – through online courses, writing workshops or community classes.
The best writers are those that are always challenging themselves.
Catherine Morris 