Weekly Goals

Core Goals

This week’s goals will be more of the same, pretty much. I am working towards some longer-term writing goals and so far, the writing and reading goals I have setup on a weekly basis are helping me get there, so I don’t want to change too much.
Work is going to take up a bit more space this week, though, and I also really want to start getting some WYRM reviews done.

Write, edit, or outline every day (including the weekend): Same number one priority as always. Stay consistent. I need to outline, write, or edit every day, including the weekend.

Get exercise: Another regular goal I need to keep up. The aim is 2-3 high intensity training sessions and some light exercise on the in between days.

Eat healthier: The title really says it all. This is yet another regular goal. I should keep away from snacks and overeating during the weekdays. Weekends I’ll allow myself a bit more slack, though I still need to keep from stuffing myself.

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 the intention of learning and think about what works/doesn't work in a given story.

Focus while writing: Another new goal for the year. 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: The Codex competition is still going, and there will be another batch of stories for me to read and comment on this week.

Catch up at work: I really hoped I could avoid this goal, but with the kids constantly catching one bug or another and work really ramping up now, I feel like I’m constantly behind. So, this should be a focus area for me. I have at least three protocols that should be ready at the end of the week.

Do a WYRM review: Missing this goal so many weeks in a row is getting embarrassing. I’m moving it up as a core goal, hoping that might get me to finally complete it.


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.

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’m nearly done with 2025 recap and 2026 goals post for my blog. I just need to get the last details in and send it out.

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.