Hi!
It's hard to reconcile that another month's rolled by, but February is short and we took two trips--one to Sacramento and the other to Chicago.
Regarding this month's question, which asks how we celebrate after completing an important writing goal. I ran across this nice article, The Best Rewards to keep you Motivated, which talks about small and large rewards after completing small and large goals.
I've done many of the suggestions over the years, such as going out to dinner, watching a movie or a favorite TV show, doing some retail therapy, doing something relaxing, taking a day off, reconnecting with friends.
I haven't taken a class or a trip as a result, and I've never bought flowers, but I'm pretty sure I've spent time working in my flower garden and gotten all kinds of pleasure out of it.
I'm currently completing a revision of a YA romance, with plans to send it to a targeted publisher.
So just reaching that goal will be an incredible reward, in and of itself. Nope, I will need no other reward than to upload the manuscript and then to hit the send button.
What about you? How do you reward yourself after completing an important writing goal?
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This month, I've come across the idea (sorry, don't recall whose) of rewarding myself with something writing-related: a fun new pen, for example, or fun Post-Its. Is there a writer whose desk isn't littered with Post-Its?
ReplyDeleteHaHa. Multiple-colored Post-Its, multiple colors of pens and every other office supply. I'm not sure what I could buy at this point to reward myself. I recently bought a killer hole punch.
DeleteIt's always good to give ourselves a little pat on the back from time to time, whether it's cake, chocolate or a lovely new outfit! Writing can be hard and progress sometimes slow, it is easy to forget what an achievement it is to actually create those words. Good luck with finishing your YA romance.
ReplyDeleteThere's a problem with rewards that have calories. I don't like what that does to my waist. But otherwise, there are countless ways to celebrate. Writing is slow; it's difficult, and it's nice just to see the words accumulate on the computer and on a printed page.
DeleteI need to do better at this. I'm kind of awful about rewarding myself. I tend to just move on to the next project.
ReplyDeleteOr play a game of League of Legends. lol
Really, I don't know if rewards are very good motivators. Monetary rewards and contracts are probably pretty effective. But small, everyday things? Not so sure we really need that.
DeleteGood luck with the book after pushing send! What a nice way to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteThanks. The celebration might be short-lived, if I get a rejection sometime afterwards. LOL. But hitting send would be effective for as long as the moment lasts.
DeleteOhh, you sound really close! I don't celebrate, but it feels really good to finish something. Hitting the send button is like ticking off an item on your to-do list. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading so many posts saying that people don't celebrate. I think the celebration is in the finishing. And especially in the manuscript being published. Congrats on the inclusion of your paranormal cozy mystery in the upcoming IWSG anthology. The excerpt was super good.
DeleteGreat post. i think it's going to be such a relief just to finish my most recent draft and that will be a reward in itself.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree with you more. I feel the same way about my revision.
DeleteThanks for sharing that article, Cathy. I need to put those tips into practice.
ReplyDeleteGreat. I hope one will work especially well for you.
DeleteGreetings from your co-host! A little celebrating can go a long way in keeping one motivated. I tend to breathe a deep sigh and bask in the glow.
ReplyDeleteYour way of celebrating sounds excellent, Bish. It's free and it's not fattening. :)
DeleteThose are all great ideas - I have to get better at doing this for myself! :)
ReplyDeleteLove all those ideas. It's good just to treat yourself--whatever that means to you.
ReplyDeleteYes, reaching the goal is quite rewarding. I wish I was there. But if anyone was offering additional rewards, I certainly would take them up on it. :)
ReplyDeleteFebruary seemed like it only lasted a couple of weeks. Another year rushing by!
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out