First, Happy New Year from the Sisterhood of Suspense Blog. I love new beginnings. The idea of making resolutions or setting goals is exciting to me. As a former educator (are we ever really a former educator?), I believe strongly in the possibility of self-improvement. One way to do that is by setting 
You all know that’s not just saying: “I want to lose weight,” which is wishful thinking at best. Writing down: “I want to lose 20 lbs by May,” that’s a goal. If it’s realistic and you put a plan with that and stick with it, the goal is attainable. That was one of my goals for 2017. Big bomb! Actually, gained a few pounds. ☹ I can rationalize I was still in recovery from my broken ankle and was just going to Pilates once a week instead of twice which I did pre-ankle. However, I just ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. For most of us that will guarantee weight gain, especially with limited exercise. LOL
Personal goals I attained for 2017 (I have a file called GOALS on the computer with several years of goals.)
*Walked twice a day with Charley and extra steps to get to 10,000 daily. Only missed a few for the year. Some were during our recent freeze.
*Found a new GP, who I love.
*Enjoyed the lake. (There’s something sad about having to write that down in your goals. Seems like it should be natural. Not for this workaholic! 😊) 
Who knew lakes had waves?
Work goals I attained
*Wrote & Published Book 3. (Book 3 in the series, not the 3rd book.) ACT OF BETRAYAL was released in October of 2017
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*Wrote weekly personal blog and monthly SOS blog.
*Attended several book signings.
There were others in both categories, but that gives you an idea.
So what’s for 2018?
Personal
*Be healthy which includes losing weight and getting my blood pressure down without meds. (I have started this by doing the Whole 30 this month. You can read about that in my Jan. 11th blog at https://authormarsharwest.wordpress.com/2018/01/11/ )
*Enjoy the lake (yeah, I know weird!)
*Continue church volunteering—which does take significant time, but is important
*Enjoy my family (I’m so blessed they live near.)
Work Related
*Complete the short story for the book my writing chapter is publishing in March
*Write and publish the last book in the Second Chances Series. Looking forward to this. Don’t expect to ever write another series, even though I love reading them!)
*Put out a monthly newsletter (began this in November when my PR co. went out of business. So grateful to them. I’d have never had a newsletter without them.)
*Write personal blog weekly and SOS blog monthly
*Make presentations whenever possible–one is set up for February
*Be supportive of my fellow authors (with FB and Twitter shares & reviews)
To accomplish the first four, I must be much more disciplined about my time. Difficult when I’m easily distracted. LOL
So what about you? Do you set goals? Please share if you’re comfortable. Even if you don’t share, I hope you set them. IMHO, they do make a difference.
Please tell your friends about our Sisterhood of Suspense blog. One of our goals is to post more often. Every Tuesday and Thursday, you’ll find something interesting, educational, or entertaining. Something to make you think. We always love to hear from you.
Word by Word 
Impressive list of accomplishments for 2017! Good luck with your 2018 goals. 🙂
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Hey, Joanne. I was surprised when I pulled out my Goals Folder and found the 2017 list. Didn’t realize I’d done so much. On the other hand there was no list for 2015, and I didn’t get as much done. Of course, I had a broken ankle that side-lined me for a lot of the year. LOL Thanks for stopping by and for all your support. 🙂
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Good luck meeting all of your goals, Marsha!
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Hey, Sharon. Thanks. I may not make them all, but if I don’t write something done, nothing seems to happen. Have a great year and nice to see you here again. 🙂
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Bravo! Great success last year!
I do set myself a word for the year, but never goals or resolutions. I’m much more successful following my nose. That is, just dealing with life as it comes along.
As an example of this, I did TRY to be a goal-setter about six months ago. I sat down (virtually) with my editor and worked out a schedule for upcoming books, but my expectations were far too lofty and I did a colorful crash and burn.
For now I will just muddle on, following my sniffer. I’m currently working on a story I’m loving, and an exciting narrating project… and my word for the year is JOY … so I will try to remember to be joyful in everything I do 😀
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Hey, Kathryn. Well, clearly you’ve found what works for you. I’m more concrete and even need real deadlines (even if I set them myself) to get good work done. I love the idea of a word for the year. And JOY is a perfect one. Again for me, I’d need more words, because, well, I just need more words. LOL Thankful for our relationship. I learn a great deal from you and our SOSs. Thanks for stopping by. I’ll work on the word thing. 🙂
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Marsha, this was perfect for the first of the year. I’ve always hesitated making resolutions like “lose weight” because then I’m disappointed in myself if I don’t. My one big goal is “write”. Last year was a lot of traveling and moving and such (not to mention three hurricane deployments). This year (I hope) will be different.
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Hey, McKenna. Lose weight has been on my goals list since I was a teenager and was really okay and didn’t need to lose anything. Wish I’d been happy with myself back then. You did have a crazy year, McKenna and super important what you do. Write. It should be easy, but gosh lots of other stuff can interfere. Good luck to you, and may you get to stay home more. Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂
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Hi, Marsha! I just don’t write them down. And as you know, last year was in flux with Handsome’s surgery. I’m still not comfortable scheduling appointments as things change and make me anxious. But I’ve determined the five I gained while he was in the hospital are coming off. And I so want to get my next book finished too.
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Hey, Vicki, the kind of year you had will really make you stop and think what’s important. Bless your heart. Glad you both seem to be coming out better on the other side. If you only gained 5 pounds with all that hospital stuff, you’re lucky. And, sweetie, you’re smart to get the five off before it becomes 10 or more. Good luck with that and the next book. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
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