My DUMB Goals

Reading blogs inspires me, pisses me off, makes me think, and often gives me ideas for my own blog. I read two blog posts this morning that screamed for a followup.  One of the writers is someone new I  started reading through the Ultimate Blog Challenge.  The other writer is someone I have shared with you before and one of my best friends.  Both posts talk about one of the true loves of my life-writing.

I read Jan’s post first here.  Jan said, “Plus, I’m not really a writer. Not really. I just write blog posts. And sermons. And newsletter articles. And pastoral notes/letters. And a gajillion emails. And Facebook status updates and tweets. That’s about it.”  I commented on her blog and “fussed” at her for saying she was not a writer.  She is writer and a damn darn good one. She had not been published; not yet.   Published does not equal writer.

So what is this elusive thing called a writer?   I looked up the definition of writer and it simply said, “one who writes.”  Well, that wasn’t too helpful, but, then I thought about it more.  Maybe it is as simple as that.  I am a writer because I write.  I know Jan’s blog posts and sermons have touched many people. Comments from readers let me know my posts have sparked emotions in people. I don’t necessarily like all the comments but it means someone read my words.

Do I want to be published?  Of course I do.  Some writers live and breathe trying to get published.  Some will tell you it isn’t that important, but I don’t believe them.  (That should bring a couple of comments.)   I have submitted a few things to small e magazines or contests for exposure.  I did have one “article” accepted that will be used in a book and another submission that was published on a website, etc.  There is a new contest for a book proposal that I hope to complete.  But I have no real plan.

Then I read a blog post this morning called Forget S.M.A.R.T Goals-Set D.U.M.B Goals.   D.U.M.B. goals.  Dogged, Unusual, Mindless, but totally Believed-In goals. The writer says she didn’t recommend these goals but she saw them work.  As I looked at these words I wondered if my goals fit.

Am I dogged?  My friends would say so. In fact, some may tell you I spend far too much time and energy on this dream.   Is my goal unusual?  I spent so much of my life trying to fit into boxes others created for me and I failed.  Why do I have live in the realistic boxes?   My life prepared me to dream unusual dreams and have unconventional goals.  I had to think about Mindless.  It sounded bad at first.  Mindless is throwing caution to the wind, not worrying about consequences, or doing something without over thinking it.  I need to move towards being more “mindless” in my goal.

Seems we have come full circle. Do I have “believed in goals.”  Do I believe I am a writer? Do I believe it is what I am meant to do in this life?  Do I believe  God would give me a heart, desire, and love for something and not provide a way to achieve this goal?  Honestly, some days I wonder.  There are days I don’t believe I am worthy of having success or achieving this unusual, mindless, dogged goal.  Then someone will comment and tell me my words made a difference to them.  A friend will encourage me and remind me of my worth.  I will see a blog post, a picture or an article and know that I must write about it.

I am a writer.  I will continue to “see” my dream of being published and participating in book signings in amazing cities across the country.  My book will fly off shelves and soon be on Oprah’s book list.  My son Ted and friend Jan will be traveling to promote their best sellers as well.  We will have to coordinate our schedules so we are home at the same time.  Are these D.U.M.B. goals?  They sure are!

Note: This post is part of the 31-post Ultimate Blog Challenge. I will be posting 31 times during the month of July, 2012. Since that is a ton of content, I have a page on the blog where you can see all my entries.