Goals and how to frame them:
The thing about setting goals is, that if you frame them negatively or revolve around absolutes, you set yourself up for failure.
Goals should be focused on the practice, not the results. So, instead of setting an absolute amount of weight to lose, or the number of words to write per day — focus on creating a habit.
Instead of saying: I will stop eating junk food.
Say: I will eat healthy food from now on.
If you are performance-focussed, you set yourself up to be demotivated too quickly. If you are focused on building a practice, your motivation will last.
This Weeks Writing Tidbits:
Book recommendation: ‘On Writing’ by Stephen King.
This is a great read. It is inspiring and packed with great writing advice. You get to learn more about Stephen King’s writing journey. Did you know Stephen King writes every single day? Christmas, birthdays, all included. He has a solid reading habit too, reading about 80 novels a year. My goal this year is 70. Fingers-crossed.
Tip for stronger dialogue:
Have one character ask a question. Then, instead of having the other character answer yes or no: make them change the subject. They could respond with a statement, or ask an alternative question.
What I’m Reading:
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Fiction can teach us just as much as non-fiction can, sometimes more. This book is historical fiction set in the Dust Bowl and Great Depression. Great lessons in gratitude, mother-daughter relationships, and self-worth. I wrote a detailed review here. I am gearing up to read another masterpiece by Kristin Hannah very soon. If you have read this one, drop me a line.
The Laws of Human Nature By Robert Greene:
This is a heavy read. I have had to put this book down on more than one occasion because I couldn’t take it anymore. I find Robert Greene’s writing style a little hard to digest. He does mix stories with advice, but sometimes the stories tend to drag on too long. I don’t recommend reading this as an audiobook. That way you can skip over a long story and get to the lesson when you need to. It does have an interesting story about John D. Rockefeller that has inspired me to do more research on him.
Favorite Quote This Week:
“Learn to question yourself: Why this anger or resentment? Where does this incessant need for attention come from? Under such scrutiny, your emotions will lose their hold on you. You will begin to think for yourself instead of reacting to what others give you.”
― Robert Greene, The Laws of Human Nature
Thanks for sharing. I liked the book the 48 laws of power.
Yes to framing positive goals! I’ve learnt so much from studying conscious language, your post reminds me of this. And Zaha, I was so thrilled to see you’ve reached way past 100 hearts on your challenge essay. Wowowow! Im celebrating with you 🎉 You must have done some great (net)working. Im receiving the inspiration.