Weekly Goals

Last week was full of both expected and unexpected obstacles, and I ended up missing way too many of my goals. This week, the expected obstacles are at least fewer, so I’m hoping to not only do better but also do some catching up.

Core Goals

Write, edit, or outline every day (including the weekend): Same number one priority as always. Stay consistent. Though, I have updated it slightly, combining it with my weekend writing goal instead of having two separate but very similar goals. Also, this should help keep focus on writing every day, including weekends.

Get exercise: Periodically, I have done quite okay with this goal, so I just need to keep it up throughout the year. The goal is 2-3 high intensity training sessions and some light exercise in the in between days.

Eat healthier: As always, this is a goal I’ve struggled with lately, especially when life sets up roadblocks, but I hope I’ll have a more “normal” week and start succeeding with this one goal again.

Read with intention: This is one of my new goals. I know, it's a pretty vague goal, but I don't know how else to put it. The point is to remind myself that I need to read with an intention of learning and think about what works/doesn't work in a given story.

Focus while writing: Another new goal. Again, also very vague goal but clearly one I need. I have to stay more focused while writing, either by blocking out distractions (like the internet), using the pomodorro technique, and/oor or avoiding multitasking.

Do Codex reviews: There's a writing competition going on over at Codex, which I'm foolishly forced myself to participate in. So, this week and the many following weeks, I have quite a few reviews to do.


Stretch Goals

Do voice exercises: An old goal from last year that I am reviving. I need to do my voice exercises once a week. (Caveat here, since I start to feel a sore throat coming on, which, if it develops into something worse, will make this goal impossible to achieve.)

Do a WYRM review: I have half a review I need to complete and send off. Secretly, I hope I can somehow find the time to do one more on top.

Do writing exercises : Aside from my short stories, I also want to keep doing writing exercises once in a while to help me work on my weaknesses in writing.

Read short stories: A regular goal from last year. I want to read/listen to at least 3 published short stories.

Read “new” magazines: Once again, I want to force myself to read stories outside of my regular venues (Flash Fiction Online, Clarkesworld, and Podcastle).

Read/listen to non-fiction:This goal is meant to help do light research and get information from the real world which might spark more original story ideas than the ideas I derive from already published sotries. I need to read/listen to podcast/chapters about at least 3 different non-fiction subjects. Ideally, they will also be different sources, different podcasts/books.

Do year-end/start posts: I didn’t manage to even start writing my 2025 recap and/or the 2026 goals post for my blog last week, so I’m hoping this will be the week where I do manage.

Submit short stories: Whenever I have stories ready for submission, they need to go out.

Do Fantasticon work: I need to start on some SoMe posts and read a couple of stories by one of the Guests of Honor to see if I can/want to translate one for the con.