Evernight’s Holiday Hangover Blog Hop

Posted byMomma BearPosted inBlog Hop, Books, GiveawayTags:, , , , , ,

unnamed (17)        Happy New Year from Evernight!

Now that the Christmas cookies are gone, gifts unwrapped, and your holiday visitors have left, you’ve earned some well-deserved TLC. Evernight authors not only have the cure for your holiday hangover, they have fantastic new books for your 2015 reading list, too!

Be sure to visit every stop on the hop and answer each question. The more blogs you hop, the more chances to win the GRAND PRIZE of an iPad Mini sponsored by Evernight Publishing (one entry per blog). Plus, hop each blog for a host of other fabulous prizes.

So sink into your favorite chair and enjoy your holiday hangover!

 So Long Resolutions! Hello Goals!

Happy New Year! Can you believe it’s 2015?! I can’t! With the new year often comes new year’s resolutions. Dictionary.com defines a resolution as “determining upon an action.” Statistics have proven that by January 30th ninety-two percent (92%) of people have already failed at the resolutions they set. Ninety-two percent! Within thirty days of setting it. To be honest, I’m not all that surprised by that number. I’m not really a resolution kind of person and on the very few times I’ve claimed some new year resolutions, I, too failed.

My husband and I actually sit down on New Years Eve and discuss and plan our goals. Personal. Couple. Family. And financial goals. What’s the difference between a resolution and a goal? Dictionary.com defines a goal as “a result or achievement toward which effort is directed.” To me, the difference between a resolution and a goal lies within the definitions themselves.

A resolution is simply determining an action. Say – I’m going to lose weight this year. The action is to lose weight. Or I’m going to start working out. Or I’m going to save money. Or I’m going to write more. You’ve defined the action but not how you’re going to get there nor have you set forth a clear result.

A goal, on the other hand, has a clear result or achievement in which you want to reach. Say – I want to lost twenty pounds by June. Or I’m going to workout three days per week. Or I’m going to save $5,000 in my savings account. I’m going to draft one novel of 50k words or more and prep it for submission. These results are specific. You know exactly what you want. You’ve spelled it out clearly what results you are going to achieve.

But if you’re setting goals, you aren’t done. Now you have to figure out how you’re going to reach those results. Let’s take the writing goal since that one is near and dear to me. How am I going to get there? This is what my written goal looks like given the fact that I work a full time day job:

Write 50k words or more novel and have ready for submission

  • Drafting to be completed within 30 weeks – leaves 22 weeks to revise and edit
  • Need approximately 1700 words per week
  • Dedicate two hours every Saturday and Sunday to writing – even if that means getting up early
  • Wake up early one week day to write
  • Make chart with word count each week to keep track of results and determine whether I need to make up time and words

Yes, this took a little time to create. I had to figure out in my crazy schedule how I was going to find the time to sit down and write (which sadly with a full time job, three young kids, a husband, a dog and guinea pig J is not always easy to do). I broke down my goal into small efforts that I could do to help me work toward my result.

I’m not saying it’s foolproof. You do have to hold yourself accountable for the goal. Write it down. Pin it somewhere you will see it every day. Cross out the steps you achieved along the way that bring you closer to your end result. When you hit the achievement… CELEBRATE!

I hope you and your families have had a safe and wonderful holiday season. May 2015 bring you all the things that make you smile. Don’t forget to answer the question below and then  click the link to continue your hop.

Enter for a chance to win Evernight’s GRAND PRIZE of an iPad Mini and my blog prize by answering this question (be sure to include your email address to be eligible to win):

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR 2015 GOALS?

One commenter will also win my new release – Board Indiscretion.

Your Holiday Hangover continues here:

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

96 thoughts on “Evernight’s Holiday Hangover Blog Hop”

  6. New Year’s Goals, I like that so much better than resolution. My goal is to go to a book conference this summer. And to get my health issues under control so I can.
    suz2(at)cox(dot)net

    Reply
  7. Pingback: Evernight’s Holiday Hangover Blog Hop! #prizes #giveaway | erinmleaf

    1. Good luck, Nicole. Do you have a number in mind? A plan to reach your goal? I had set a goal in 2014 to lose ten pounds. I lost twelve through a change in my portion sizes and exercises. Happy New Year.

      Reply

  16. Had to really think about this. Love how you broke your goal into manageable chunks. My goal is to learn to love myself – to be kinder to me. To treat myself the way I treat others.
    Happy New Year!
    whitk2227(at)outlook(dot)com

    Reply

  17. I guess a very tentative goal I have is to update my resume which hasn’t been done in 13 years. I don’t want to job hunt, but I may not have a choice.

    acm05atjuno.com

    Reply

  24. I am going to declutter my bookshelves now that I bought a Kindle Fire, but it’s so hard letting go of them I love my books 🙂

    jmesparza821 at gmail dot com

    Reply

    1. Oh goodness! I will tell you. I’ve had a Nook since 2011 and I have not gotten rid of any of my book books. I could never. Book clutter to me is the best kind of clutter. 🙂 Happy New Year.

      Reply

  27. I am really excited to start 2015 as someone who is 50 years young. When I turned 50 in October I felt like everything that happens from here on out will be nothing but the best years yet. I don’t know why 50 has made me feel like a different person but I can’t wait to see what the New Year brings with it. My 2014 goals are to take chances that I wouldn’t have before.

    Happy New Year!
    Marnie
    barniebad@aol.com

    Reply

  29. My goal this year is to find time to read and also I need to learn to relax and be less stressed.
    ShirleyAnn(at)speakman40(dot)freeserve(dot)co(dot)uk

    Reply

  30. My goal is to get healthier by eating better and being more active. Good luck with your own goals and I hope you will succeed, especially with how busy/crazy your life sounds(kids and husbands have a way with sometimes messing with goals).

    susanmplatt AT Hotmail DOT com

    Reply

  33. Recently, I had to dip into my savings/emergency fund, so a 2015 goal is to replenish a little each month. Happy new year!
    bimmergrlmd at gmail dot com

    Reply

    1. Jan, I hope you stick to it. Sticking to a workout plan is not always easy, especially with our busy lives. I’ve found that working out with friends and a trainer helps to keep me accountable. Just a suggestion. Happy New Year.

      Reply

  37. My goals are to try to be better to myself, & if things get too stressed to just take a step back & get away to destress myself. And to save money so I can take little trips to get away. =) I always put others first before myself, but I need to learn to take a little time for myself too.

    Hope you have a great 2015! =)
    Brandi
    BLeigh1130 at yahoo dot com

    Reply

    1. Brandi, you are the third or fourth person to point out being better to yourself. That is SO important. I know there have been times where I have neglected myself, always giving to others until I feel depleted. But I’ve found if I’m feeding my soul, it’s much easier to help feed others. Find something that feeds your soul. Reading. Yoga. Meditation. Whatever. Mine is exercising hard. It burns off stress, tones my body and makes me feel good. But find what works for you. And be kind to yourself. Happy New Year.

      Reply

  39. I would like to lose some weight. Which means I have to exercise and that is the hard part.
    beckerjo at verizon dot net

    Reply

    1. Joanna, Do you have a weight goal in mind? Yes, exercise is a part of the plan usually. Plus, exercise helps to relieve stress and clear your mind. I know sticking to an exercise plan is tough… trust me. But think of all the benefits, not just the weight. Plus, get someone to hold you accountable.. a friend, a trainer. It helps. Good luck and happy new year.

      Reply

    1. Where do you want to go? I’m a traveler at heart. We took our family to Hawaii this past November and are planning to take them to Ireland in July. We love traveling. A lot to learn and see in the world. Hope you achieve the traveling goal. One thing about traveling is that it does give you time to read. I read on planes all the time. Good luck with your goals and Happy New Year.

      Reply

    1. What a wonderful goal, Jordan. We actually made this one of our family goals this year. We are trying to get the kids more involved in giving back to the community. I hope you succeed greatly on this one. Happy New Year.

      Reply

    1. Oh, I like this one. Forgiveness is not an easy task, but I’ve learned that forgiveness is not necessarily what we do for other people, it is more about freeing ourselves to move on. Good luck and happy new year.

      Reply

  46. I like the idea of what you and your husband do. I am sure it takes discipline.
    1 of my goals is to feed my family healthier food. I began it this year, but I am hoping to get my 4 year old on the same page with the rest of us. Lol.
    Thank you for participating in the hop and for the giveaway.
    trb0917 at gmail dot com

    Reply

    1. Eating healthier is a huge goal. It’s so tempting to turn to easy to make processed meals when we are trying to run a family. Time is an issue for all of us. I like this goal, Tina. Good luck and Happy New Year.

      Reply

  47. My main goals, not goal, are to become healthier..that is give up sugar completely and exercise every day, instead of just several times a week. I also want to make a big move..just have to find courage to do it.

    Kyratinker36@gmail.com

    Reply

    1. Kyra, You seem to have some big goals this year. Eating right and exercising regularly will definitely make you healthier. Making a big move? Do you mean location? Jobwise? Good luck with these goals and Happy new Year.

      Reply

  48. To focus on getting my health in order, which means regularly going to the doctors instead of putting it off and eating healthier.

    tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Reply

Leave a reply to jessicajayneauthor Cancel reply