I know I am not the only one that struggles with staying continuously motivated. That’s not to mean that I don’t want to achieve my goals, it just feels like sometimes they are so massive, there is so much to do and to achieve on the path to getting there.

For example this book series, I know I have actually objectively achieved a fair wack of it. If I were to give myself credit for the things I have done so far like:

• Planned books 1-3 enough that they can be written with less continuity errors.
• Outlined books 4-9 with enough wiggle room for inspiration and character developments.
• Written a first draft for book 1.
• Created Character profiles.
• Created location set ups (mental visuals).
• Designed some of the inner art for the characters.
• Edited book 1 multiple times
• Created synopsis for the series and for book 1.
• Began applying to agents.
• Decided to re edit the book while applying to agents because I am an idiot and glutton for punishment.

I look at the above and think yeah that’s not bad, until I look at the next steps that I want to do:

• Write books 2-9
• Edit books 2-9
• Get the bloody thing published.
• Feel damn proud that its done!

Ok that looks shorter because I grouped 2-9 together but if it was singular it’s really not a shorter list at all.

I get why people say that achieving your dreams can be hard. I get that I could self publish it instead of trying to trad. publish it, I do. I just I really want to try for this one. I have the other’s I self published, but none of them hold my heart as much as this particular story.

Somewhere between trying to achieve my dreams and getting that to do list done my brain leaves the building, the dopamine drops or I get busy in the real world and the first thing I sacrifice is my time. But I get that in doing so I am being unfair to myself. I need to get a schedule going, some time where it is protected writing time, and rather than coming here to whinge about it actually do the writing. Maybe I might start using this as an accountability log, at the end of the session come on here and write about it, maybe in time I might look back on this and see how far I have progressed and stop beating myself up and cut myself some slack.

Ok I’ll strike a deal with myself, I will come here at the end of each writing session/editing session/planning session and hold myself accountable even if its a hundred words or more just saying hey today I did xyz got this much done or this many words. Just something. But not just that, I will keep reading the books outside my comfort zone, keep reading my TBR pile that is taunting me with how much to do and I will keep giving my unasked for opinions on them because that is also holding me accountable and getting me to keep persevering with slowly simmering down my TBR.

Two missions. Read books. Write books.

(And realise it is too late to stay sane… because that ship has sailed.)