by Kariss Lynch, @Kariss_Lynch
“Know who you are. Like who you are. Be who you are.” That was the reminder from a friend at a recent dinner. Though uttered in a rush, the phrase brought my mind to a stuttering halt.
What if I built my 2019 goals with this mantra in mind? I’ve reached a season in life where I know who I am and like who I am. In fact, I more consistently thank God for making me exactly how He did and pray that I maximize that in a way that glorifies Him and blesses others. The more He teaches me these two principles, the more I am able to freely be who I am and grow in that more and more. This is what I am focusing on in the new year.
I’ll be honest, I feel like I am rolling into 2019 a little tired and a little discouraged. Anyone else look at the end of 2018 and feel like nothing went as planned? It wasn’t necessarily because of a lack of planning. Life happened. And sometimes I forget to plan for life.
Recently, I listened to tips and tricks Michael Hyatt uses when he sets goals. He recommends planning SMARTER – specific, measurable, actionable, risky, time-keyed, exciting, and relevant goals. I decided to take some of these tips and add my own twist so I can be a better me at the end of 2019.
- Set risky and relevant goals.
I am an overachiever by nature. I often have the urge to buy a house, get a puppy, accept more projects at work, and lose 20 pounds all within the same two-month period. No joke, I have actually tried this before. The problem is that I end the season worn out, discouraged, and feeling like I didn’t do anything well. I’m a finisher, but I am learning that how I get to the finish line is sometimes more important than actually crossing. There’s that mantra again. Know who you are…be who you are.
So, in 2019, I’m planning risky goals that are relevant to my season of life. For example, it is flat out dumb for me to write a book in three months. I can do it. I have done it in less, but I utterly failed to steward the rest of my life well. So, this time, I’m planning for life by challenging myself but also leaving room to breathe and play.
- Set specific, date-oriented goals.
Once again, I’m great at saying how many books I want to finish and when, but failing to account for that pesky, unplanned thing called life. I often get in over my head, grow discouraged, and just stop. So in 2019, I’m setting quarterly goals with a check in June. I’ll reevaluate life and the challenges I want to seize, and then charge into the second half of 2019. For example, I want to send out four newsletters next year, write one personal blog a month, and finish two books. For me, this is manageable and wise. For others, it may seem too little or too lofty. This is the beautiful part about learning to be who I am and own it. I create a plan that suits me.
- Set exciting goals.
These are also known as fun goals. In 2018, I realized that writing had become drudgery because I started feeling pressure to build a platform instead of writing the story on my heart at the moment. This type of goal feels vague, but I plan to work on projects I’m excited about that may diverge slightly from my platform. I honestly think I will be better for it, and so will my writing.
“Know who you are. Like who you are. Be who you are.” Goal setting becomes more focused and more fun when I remember this mantra. Life feels more relaxed when I embody these words. And writing is sweeter and better when I own this lifestyle. Here’s to 2019 and becoming better writers and better versions of who we are today!
Kariss Lynch writes contemporary romance about characters with big dreams, adventurous hearts, and enduring hope. She is the author of the Heart of a Warrior series and loves to encourage her readers to have courage. In her free time, she hangs out with her family and friends, explores the great outdoors, and tries not to plot five stories at once. Connect with her at karisslynch.com, or on Facebook, Instagram, or Goodreads.