by Alena Wendall, @alenawendall
2018 didn’t exactly work out like I thought it would. How about you? I felt like much of last year was spent reacting to what life threw at me.
This year I’m determined (with lots and lots of prayer) to make things different.
My number one change? Daily Prioritized Time with God. I know, how dumb is it to think I could handle any day, without first taking time at the feet of The One who made me? Yet I’ve done it day after day. A quick word of prayer as I run out the door, coffee in one hand, purse slung over my shoulder and my to-do list ever growing.
There were several successful people I heard speak in 2018 that stated the significance of their own time with God. John Maxwell and Debbie Macomber both relayed the importance of time away from distractions, quality time with God.
One of my favorite people in history penned this. King David in Psalm 5:3 wrote,
In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will prepare [a prayer and a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for you to speak to my heart].
My second goal is to finish my book and submit it. I plan on doing this the first quarter of the year.
Gulp.
Like you, I will do this in the midst of carpooling, a full-time family business and church responsibilities. While I have good intentions, I know change won’t happen without a plan.
I pulled out my Christmas gift to myself, My Brilliant Writing Planner, and tried to answer thought-provoking questions so that I can live a different and better 2019.
Susan May Warren and her My Book Therapy team created an amazing planner that asks real-life questions to help achieve our writing dreams.
Questions like, what brought you the most joy? And what am I still dreaming about becoming or doing?
The questions about my writing habits made me face the reality of the gap between my dreams, daily habits, and daily obligations.
These questions made me think about how much time I could really devote to writing.
Additional questions such as, how much writing time do you have? Or what distractions can be eliminated?
What about you? What changes will you make for a better 2019?
If you’re interested, check out the planner at www.mybrilliantwritingplanner.com
Praying for your amazing 2019!
Writing as Alena Wendall, Alena Tauriainen pens contemporary Christian romance novels that always end with a happily ever after. By day, she partners with her lifelong mate Clyde, to run the family HVAC business. She manages both business and family life with four lovable but crazy kids. She is the Retreats Coordinator for My Book Therapy. She is represented by Rachelle Gardner with Books & Such Literary Management. Visit her at alenawendall.com.