By Heather Kreke @HKreke

Our calendar contains 365 days, and every 4th year we get an extra day. Even with all of theses days, some of us never choose our “today.” We say things like:

One day I’m going to go on a diet.

Someday I’m going to write  a book

Tomorrow I’m going to start writing again or start a new project.

Then we never actually do it. So how do we motivate ourselves to actually do the things we want to do?

Pick Your Day

A few years ago a friend of mine decided to quit smoking. She told me she had picked her quit date for two weeks from that day. I wondered why she picked a quit date. Why not just do it today? The truth is we always have a reason “today is not a good day.” We are too busy. We don’t have any ideas. We just don’t feel like it. Going after our goal is a big step, and it takes some planning. So find a day on your calendar in the NEAR future (try not to go more than three weeks out) when you don’t have much going on, and circle it in red. This is now your start day.

Plan for your day

Once you have a day set, it’s easier to form a plan and organize your steps. Make a list of the things you need to accomplish, then do one small step each day until you arrive at your start day. Pick the time of day you are going to start. Do you need an hour or two hours? Mark those on your calendar too.

What are some things you need to do to get to that first sentence on the screen? Find an accountability partner, someone to help motivate and push you. Conduct a brainstorming session,  research your setting, think about your characters, outline your project, etc.

Get your legwork done first so on your start day, you can dive in.

Look forward to your day

Being mentally prepared for your day is probably more important than getting the small stuff ready beforehand. Everyday from today until that day circled in red, wake up and tell yourself you are going to do this. Look at the day in red whenever you pass your calendar and be excited about starting to really work on your goal. This will be a big step! Embrace it, talk it up, and share it with others. Telling others your start date will help keep you accountable. Talk yourself up, believe you can do this. Let self-confidence take root in your mind. You are capable of not only starting but also accomplishing your goal.

Don’t give up

Once your day arrives, you are on fire and ready to start. But what happens after you write your first chapter? You keep going. You can’t give up now. It’s easy to start something and then stop but you’ll determined and prepared. If you should happen to get out of the habit of working on your goal, simply begin again.

Here is your challenge! Look at your calendar and circle your red-letter day!

Comment below and let me know your special day.

Heather is a novelist who is passionate about showing teens and young adults they can find hope in God’s plan for their lives – even through the darkest times. She is published on numerous blogs and in the Christian Writers Market Guide. She also teaches a writing class at her church and completed coursework through the former Christian Writers Guild.

Heather is a mother of 3 redheaded girls and has been married to a redheaded husband since 2004.

If you would like to be featured on Blueridgeconference.com e-mail her at heather@heatherkreke.com with the subject line Blog Query.