1.05.2016

Striving Toward Your Potential


It’s the first post of the New Year, so really, there’s only one thing to post about:
New Beginnings!
New beginnings are both scary and exciting. Last year was a bust writing-wise for me. But in a way, it was the time I needed to take a breather and revisit my goals. There is one thing that is always on my mind: writing. It’s a goal that I know I have in common with many others. It’s what this Untethered Realms blog is about: a group of writers coming together to support each other in our writerly endeavors.

I consider writing a gift. A gift given to us by God as something that we need to develop. That's where the yearning comes from. 

The analogy I like to use is that writing is like an addiction. I’m not happy when I haven’t had my fix. It’s like getting tattoos. Once you start, you don’t want to stop. It’s how you show and share your creativeness with the world. I don’t mean the kind of addiction some have to drugs or alcohol. Those addictions are based in unhappiness and pain.

I'm talking about the kind of addictions that are based in happiness like drawing, painting, designing or writing. I feel happy when I’m writing, or thinking about writing, or planning to write, or outlining a story so that I can write. Or reading what other people write!

Shawn Achor, author and happiness researcher—it’s a real thing!—says, “Happiness is the joy you feel striving toward your potential.”  

My wish for the year ahead is for everyone reading this to strive toward their potential.


Here’s what I’ll be striving toward this year:






What will you be striving toward?






27 comments:

  1. I'm the same. I become very cranky when I haven't gotten my writing fix. As for striving, I'm pretty much working on my 5 year goal. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really should think more long term, Misha. I just have a hard time thinking past the current year ;)

      Delete
  2. I, too, get cranky when I'm denied writing time. It most certainly is my addiction. I have some pretty hefty writing goals carved out for me this year. Not sure if I'll be able to pull it off, but I won't go down without a fight. Which sounded very dramatic, didn't it. Hmmm.

    Anyway, best of luck to you with your writing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're a writer, M.J., you have to sound dramatic. LOL. Good luck with your goals this year.

      Delete
  3. It looks like you have a great start on your writing goals for the year!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Writing is definitely an addiction. I think about it all the time, even when I'm sleeping! Good luck this year. Here's to a great one for all of us! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Perfect post to kick off the new year. I have the same goals you do this year, and last year was kind of a bust for me as well. But now I think maybe I needed that too because now I feel excited about writing again. Here's hoping for a great 2016!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel like I have a jump start with my outlines already done. It's going to be a great year!

      Delete
  6. Best of luck to you, Gwen! I went about a year and a half where I wrote very little, but I've managed to turn it around--at least for the moment. *crosses fingers* Writing is definitely addicting. Even on days I don't want to write, I always feel better once I have.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always feel more accomplished when I've written something. Funny how that works.

      Delete
  7. I'm happier when writing, too, no matter the lumps in the road. I'll be rooting for you, Gwen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Mary. I'm just going to go forward, lumpy road or not.

      Delete
  8. Not as much writing in 2015 as I'd...hoped is the better, more accurate, word I'd use for me rather than planned. 2016 will be different for a variety of reasons. Ever hopeful, I guess :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm always "ever hopeful" too, Kevin. It's the only way to be. Good luck on your writing this year.

      Delete
  9. Not as much writing in 2015 as I'd...hoped is the better, more accurate, word I'd use for me rather than planned. 2016 will be different for a variety of reasons. Ever hopeful, I guess :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. This reader hopes you all achieve not only the potential you knew about, but more than you ever dreamed was possible.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I hope the same for you, too! Let's strive for that potential!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Tyrean. I think we're all full of potential, we just need to work at it and develop it.

      Delete
  12. I commend what you wrote because I felt like I didn't really accomplish much last year. I plan to create more cards and do at least one scrapbook...keep fingers crossed. Happy New Year to you:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can do it, Birgit. We all can, as long as we don't lose sight of our goals.

      Delete
  13. Good luck to you! I have a few goals I'm hoping to achieve this year. I just gotta motivate myself.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love your post Gwen!! Perfect!!! I need to strive for my potential!!! Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Writing does bring happiness. I used to sing in choruses and I remember someone telling me that musicians get a kind of physical "high" after performing...I find writing the same way. When I've written something I like, it brings on such joy.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Creative addictions are ones I can get behind. Good luck on getting those manuscripts done. As for me, I have three books on my Get 'em Done in 2016 list. It's more ambitious than other years for me, so we'll see.

    ReplyDelete

What's happening in your dimension?