New Year's Resolutions, but in March.
Am I crazy? (Yes.)
A while ago, I read that the average New Year’s Resolution lasts about three months1
“Wouldn’t it be funny to write my New Year’s post in March?” I thought to myself, chucking evilly.
After the freshness of the New Year wears off, so does our resolution, no matter how well-intentioned we were in January. And so, consider this post your March Motivation. Pick that poor, abandoned goal back up. (After all, the year used to start in March anyway!2 ) Re-evaluate how you’re doing and ask a friend for encouragement if you need it. Even if you don’t completely meet your goals, you’ll make more progress if you keep them in sight.
What are my writing/creativity related goals for this year, and how am I doing?
Goal One: Try new things with my blog.
-switch platforms from Blogger to Substack.
I switched to Substack because it has a cleaner layout and better comment/like system than Blogger. It also lets me create newsletter posts in the same software instead of having a completely different system for emails. The transition went smoothly for the most part, although I lost a handful of subscribers in the move.
I’m gradually editing and reposting the 100+ posts that I imported from Blogger. I have about 50 reposted, which paid subscribers can read in the archives.
-create a lead magnet.
A lead magnet is a resource or freebie that an email list writer offers in exchange for signing up for the email list. I’m still working on this. If you have ideas for what would interest you, please tell me in the comments below.
-start creating audio posts (10).
I haven’t talked much about this on Flight Patterns, but I really want to record my posts into short, podcast-like episodes. I, for one, have more time for listening than for reading, and enjoy listening when other bloggers make audio posts. I even have access to podcast equipment, it’s just learning to use it and lack of time that’s been an issue.
-make $200 from Flight Patterns.
Last year I made $5 from Flight Patterns. This year I have some strategies for providing more high-value content, but I haven’t yet had the time. Right now, I have an option to Buy Me a Coffee or become a paid subscriber, as well as using affiliate links (but only to products I would buy myself.)
Goal Two: Improve networking.
-reply to 100 emails.
I’m subscribed to many newsletters and I always try to answer when they ask a question. It’s the golden rule, because I appreciate it when people answer questions in my posts. So my goal is to reply to as many of these newsletters as possible to build connections and friendships.
-write 10 guest posts.
I love guest posts. I love the idea of “meeting” a new writer, or hearing what a blogger I’m familiar with has to say on a different topic than usual. I really enjoy post swaps. Just like some other goals, this is something I have not pursued because of time constraints (I really need more than 24 hours in a day, y’all.) However, if you have a blog that takes guest posts, definitely reach out.
-reach 500 subscribers.
Someone once pointed out, encouragingly, that I have enough subscribers to fill a Jumbo jet. Of course, being the literal human being I am, I went home and fact-checked this claim, learning that a Jumbo jet can seat between 400-6603 passengers. “Aha, 300-560 more subscribers to go,” I thought to myself. “But what if we really could fill a Jumbo jet? It would be in keeping with the “Flight” theme of Flight Patterns. Ergo, my goal for 2024.
Goal Three: Publish short story.
Likely in an anthology, but possibly as a lead magnet.
Goal Four: Clean out my email inboxes.
As mentioned above, I subscribe to many newsletters and and because of this, my inboxes get quite full. In January, I went through and unsubscribed from all those annoying emails from websites I haven’t visited for months, as well as updated my contact information so the right newsletters were going to the right addresses. My main account has stayed at steady 600(!) unread emails, but my other accounts have become much more manageable.
Goal Five: Read 12 books.
And this goal I shall save for another post, because hey, books are fun to write about.
What are (or were) your New Year’s Resolutions? And will you re-resolve them with me?
https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/new-years-resolutions-statistics/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/the-new-year-once-started-in-march-heres-why
https://airwaysmag.com/top-10-largest-passenger-aircraft/
Desiree it was a good idea to switch to Substack from Blogger. You'll grow like wildfire here if you leverage the platform right. Thanks for letting us peek inside your journey. Thanks for liking my Note the other day as well. I'm subscribing to follow along. :)
Wow! It's so cool that you set a goal to record audio posts! (I have this really weird feeling in my mind that somehow you read my personal goals... JK) Because that's what I'm planning on doing!
Also, thanks for your reminder on persisting in my goals and resolutions!
Have a great week~