Set Small Goals

Human beings crave a sense of accomplishment.  A defeatist attitude usually comes from not being able to meet the goals we set in our lives.  Often times, we give up when the pressures get too hard, and we feel like we spin our wheels, mercilessly, without any traction. 

Where we usually fail when it comes to meeting goals, is we often set them too big, especially if we’re a dreamer, or artistic in any way.  Creative people see no limit to the possibilities, and are open to most prospects, so we set our life goals in adherence to our dreams, regardless if they’re against the natural current.  Practical people usually shake their heads at this behavior, because they themselves usually opt for what is in their grasp, what they’re capable to achieve within reason, and don’t often fight the current seeing no sense in the action.  However, neither is wrong and the other right.  There should be a balance between the two. 

Dreamers should set impossible goals, because that’s where true dreams are realized.  However, we need to be practical in our application, and set for us a series of small goals along the way.   With each small accomplishment we achieve, we will also receive more confidence, more faith, and more inspiration to move forward.  If we constantly struggle against the current, without finding small pools of respite by the wayside, we’ll burn ourselves out.  We must be able to find small side-streams to rest and regroup, so that we will have the strength to make it all the way upstream. 

Your inspiration exercise today:  Think about what you really want out of life, and then try to think of at least six small steps you can take that will ‘lead’ in that direction, and then set one of them as your first goal.

Till next time,

~T.L. Gray

Should I Pseudonym?

Many writers face this question when they come to the moment of their first publication.  The struggle comes down to how they want to be known and how they want their work to be recognized.  

We work hard to obtain the achievements in our lives, starting in childhood with our first trophy, our first ribbon, our first award.  I remember as a 10-year old winning the Citizenship Award at Elm Grove Elementary, and how much pride I had in that achievement.  What that school, teacher or my fellow students didn’t know was the struggle I faced with self-esteem living in an abusive home.  That simple award helped change my identity - how I saw myself and the hope it gave me to gather the strength to overcome my situation.  The Perfect Attendance or Honor Roll Award didn’t do the same thing for me, because those awards were completely in my control, and ones I received every year.  But, the Citizenship Award was given by a teacher by choice to a student that showed great promise and a good nature.  It was unexpected and that much more appreciated.  I’m proud of that award, as I am with every other award, trophy, degree and ribbon I’ve earned and received since.  So, it’s only natural that I want to carry the same name in which those awards were inscribed.  It’s part of my resume, my identity, my accomplishment.  I want the world to see that it’s the same person who also wrote my manuscript.  But, is that the best choice for my work? 

Another achievement that I’m proud of is my business and marketing experience.   I’ve gained a lot of knowledge in this field and an understanding of how things work, and learned early on the importance of knowing Product vs. Market.  In the publishing universe that would be Authors vs. Readers.  As an author, I MUST understand that when I become published, when my name is plastered across the cover of my manuscript, that name becomes a product.  I must think of it from that point forward as a product, one that must be packaged and marketed to my target audience (consumer).  While I’m a writer; an artist, my books and name are now a product; one that needs an audience; a consumer.   I am now a public figure, a marketable product.  If I want to keep the person separate from the product, then I need to use a pseudonym.  If my personal identity (profession, celebrity status, expertise, etc.) IS my marketing strategy, then I won’t use a pseudonym.  That’s about as simple as I can make it.  

Are YOU a marketable product?  That should be the question one asks when considering using a pseudonym. 

Till next time,

~T.L. Gray (My Pseudonym)