Life Lessons in Tennis

I was sitting watching several of my son's tennis matches yesterday and started thinking how applicable that tennis ball was to life as I watched it thunk back and forth across the net. The back and forth of the tennis ball made me think of the back and forth of my writing life.  Perhaps because there was so much I needed to be home doing at that moment (both writing wise and otherwise), but such is the stage of life I am in right now. I can't miss one of my kid's activities, and I was, technically, now thinking about a blog post in my head.  The back and forth doesn't at all represent the interest in writing for me but rather the commitment to prioritize it.  Thud...making the time to write before anything else.  Thud...doing everything else FIRST in an effort to have a bigger block of time to write only to be left with NO time. Back and forth, back and forth, all the way to the deuce point. What's going to take it...the non-essentials or the writing? One's head controls the choice in the game of tennis. One's head also controls the choice in writing.  So, what's it going to be? Many days, the ball lands squarely in the net and goes nowhere. Today, it was a little more back and forth for me in the productivity department. How about you? Game, set, match! 

Commitment

Here dawns a new year, filled with new commitments, new resolutions, new hopes and dreams, new chances.  I haven't so much made resolutions for the new year but have made new commitments to myself.  I've kept my goals general but with more specific steps..."write more" but specifically with the intention to "write at least 15 minutes a day;" "improve my marketing skills," but specifically with the intention to "research new markets," "explore the better use of social media," "create a better author visit program;" and "read more" but specifically "read at least 10 PBs a month," "read something for fun every day," etc.  You get the idea! We shall see how it goes, and I will be reporting in along the way.

I saw a picture on FB today that re-affirmed my commitment to making better changes and adjustments in my life to better serve my writing. 

Isn't this a great reminder to forge ahead in life, whether it is in one's writing or any other life situation.  We have the control to commit, to work hard and to keep striving for a better end, whatever that may be.  This might just be my new mantra for 2016:)

What are your goals, hopes, dreams, commitments (whatever term you use) for 2016? I'd love to hear them!