Ugh. December. I have been avoiding this thread for at least a week because I got nowhere in November. But, like a hungover detective examining himself in the mirror, let's recap my goals from November:
1. Write as much as I can on the WIP. Not officially doing Nano, but lots of words would be nice.
Started at 7786. Finished at 12511. 4725 words, which is rather less than some folk manage in a day.
2. Finish a certain song I'm working on
For a given value of "finish" this is done, insofar as there is a melody and a structure. Of course, if you count pesky things like lyrics, arrangement, and recording, then nope. Not done.
3. Finish reading The Spy Who Came In From The Cold (which is awesome, btw)
This one I did at least do. Then I started reading
Wizard And Glass, which is part four of King's
The Dark Tower, and kinda wished I hadn't started - not because it's not good (it is), but because
Remnants Of Trust came out and I really want to read that instead.
4. Do some bloody exercise and eat a bit better
Yeah, right.
Those were some big, lofty goals, and I pretty much screwed them all.
SO. What I am going to do for December so I don't just fail all over again?
I will set
smaller, more
granular, and more
achievable targets, with clear
rewards.
1. Write 5,000 words
Big woo. But that's more than I got in November. So that's the bar to clear.
> If I do this, I am allowed to drink the very special beer I bought last month. It's a one-off that will never be made again and tastes amazing.
2. Write the lyrics for and finish the arrangement of the song I'm writing.
I know just how long it can take me to record and produce something, so focusing on these elements makes the goal more achievable.
> If I do this, I will buy an effects pedal (read: toy) for my guitar.
3. Finish reading Wizard And Glass
Should be achievable enough with all the travel I will have to do with work.
> The reward for this is that I then get to read
Remnants Of Trust!
4. Practice one jujitsu technique a day
I need to memorise 51 techiques to get my next grade. I can probably do more than that many already, but I need to practice to actually remember them under pressure. One a day will take less than five minutes and will get me halfway to my total.
> If I do this, I am allowed to go see the new Star Wars film at the cinema – otherwise I have to wait for it to come out on disc!
Best of luck everyone, and enjoy December.