No, that’s not a typo. Let’s talk revolutions, instead, the kind that turn our world upside down.
As you’re preparing for this coming conference season, it’s easy to let life events discourage or derail you from your goals. This is one reason I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. Haven’t for years, since I realized I was layering on my own guilt trip when I couldn’t keep them. While some folks are great habit-keepers or habit-breakers, I’m not. I don’t even get up at the same time every morning. The closest I’ve come to a habit is placing my toothbrush in the same place. Usually.
So making a declaration that I’m going to develop or break a habit (lose weight, exercise regularly, go to a dozen conferences, read that new grammar book, etc.) is built-in failure. Why do that to myself?
Not to mention that the first part of the year seems particularly inclined to revolutions—“life events” that turn all our plans inside out—I see this in a lot of people. Winter brings on illnesses. Christmas bills pile up. People fall on the ice. Schools close for snow days. Budget cuts mean job losses. Cold weather brings broken pipes and other unexpected home repairs. Shorter days bring on depressions.
Basically, after Christmas, we’re all exhausted! Renewal, the idea of pushing beyond the problems and doldrums, turns into a pipedream, and we fight just to regain normality. Often our character is revealed by how we handle the upheavals. I’m about average in that regard . . . in some things I do well; others . . . not so much.
One thing that often gets set aside is my writing. While the drive to write lives in me like a hungry animal, the creative juices get zapped by the trials. This result is that I get little more nuts than usual.
And I’m definitely not alone. Life happens to all of us.
“So You Say You Want a Revolution…”
It’s easy to let the “revolutions” in our lives derail us from our goals. Whether they are unpleasant—like a hospital stay—or whether they are joyous—like the birth of a child or grandchild. Whether it’s a disruption or a permanent change to a “new normal,” staying on our chosen path can be more difficult than we ever imagined.
I’ve had more than enough experience with this, so I’ve learned to…
- Set priorities and be brutal about it.People around you aren’t going to like all your choices. Stick to it and follow your heart. If friends abandon you because of it, good riddance. Grieve them and move on.
- Understand the difference between temporary and permanent derailments. Temporary ones are setbacks; the permanents mean choosing a new way of life. Pray for wisdom and acceptance.
- Set goals.If you can’t write right now, set a date for a restart. It may be ambitious, but be determined.
- Don’t be afraid to dream—and to dream BIG. I want to finish three books this year. I’m off to a rocky start. But that’s OK. Once a month, I’ll adjust my schedule and see where I am. Day-to-day accountability is a great way to track progress, but also keep the endgame in mind.
- Pray for wisdom and guidance.Sometimes, when the car hits the ditch, we just pray for strength and endurance. But wisdom and guidance for the right choices is vital during this time. God has big shoulders. It’s ok to cry a little. Or a lot.
- KNOW you will persevere.You are a child of God. He will get you through this. Together you can accomplish more than you can possibly imagine.
My book of devotions, My Mother’s Quilt, came out three weeks after my daughter died. To say I was worthless in terms of marketing is an understatement. I was numb—completely frozen—for more than three months. But I had to trust God and do what I could. To date, it’s been my most successful book, and I refuse to ponder the “what ifs” of that time. I’d had a revolution in my life, and God walked me through it.
He can walk you through it as well, no matter what.
Ramona Richards is the associate publisher for New Hope Publishers. She has been an in-house editor for Abingdon Press, Thomas Nelson, Rutledge Hill Press, and Idealsmagazine, and has freelanced for a dozen other publishers. The author of eight novels, three books of devotions, and numerous magazine articles, she is a frequent speaker for women’s and writers’ groups, and has presented at numerous conferences across the country. Her latest book, Murder in the Family,will be released in October from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas.
https://www.facebook.com/ramonapope.richards
@RamonaRichards
The Conversation
After two days worth of derailment for an unplanned medical procedure, I have a great appreciation for these practical words of advice. Suggestion number one is challenging but my skin is getting thicker in this regards. non-writing friends have a hard time understanding this, but so does my family at times! Thank you for sharing.
Lori, sometimes even a day or two can completely throw us off track. Here’s praying you can stick to your guns – and that the people you love understand. Bless you!
Great blog. I don’t make New Year’s resolutions either. I set goals and work with any necessary changes and disruptions.
The blog reminded me of the first time I attended a writer’s conference out of state. I was a stay-at- home-mom at the time, a former newspaper reporter who wanted to write fiction. I had to pinch pennies for the cost of the conference and do a lot of talking my then-husband into the expense and him taking some vacation days to watch the kids. I submitted my fee, sample chapters for critique and a contest, then set about sewing some clothes to wear. There was a lot of self-doubt during the days before the conference…The day I got on the bus — we only had one car — I made the mistake of looking back and my heart sank. My husband stood there at the bus station with a child clutching each hand and all three were looking like I was never coming home. I waved cheerfully but almost got off the bus. I cried for a half hour and had trouble sleeping that night.
That conference changed my life. It wasn’t just that I received recognition for my work. The conference helped me affirm my goals for myself. And I discovered that one of the reasons I doubted attending was because just before I come up to going in a new direction my fear can hold me back and I have to push through it.
I hope anyone who wants to be a writer reads the steps you outlined and sets goals for herself. We didn’t have the Internet back when I was starting out. We’re so lucky to have this resource.
Barbara, thank you so much for sharing this. It’s remarkable what some of us have to overcome in order to follow this call on our lives. Doubt being one of the major ones. Thankful that you did. Your books are strong and beautiful stories.