my major goal for 2014
What is your major goal for the year to come?
They say if you write your goals down, that is a way of declaring your intent, helping you focus, and getting it out there so that someone might be able to help you achieve it.
So here it is. My major goal for 2014 is to appear on at least one national television show in Canada, and at least one national television show in the US (Ellen DeGeneres here I come!) so that I can spread the word about Chocolatour and the chocolate travel book, events, and chocolate tours I am helping to organize. Chocolate has become my life, and how sweet it is! But I have a long way to go in achieving bestseller status with my book, and I am going to need your help, and the help of every chocolate lover out there in attracting the attention of major media and assuring that they know about me and what I am doing.
If you’ve read Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate and enjoyed it, please write a review if you have not yet done so. Thanks to everyone who has already posted their reviews on both Amazon.com and Goodreads. If you see a tweet on Twitter about Chocolatour, please retweet it. And please mention Chocolatour to any chocolate lover you know, and to foodies who enjoy travel. I will be beginning my media campaign next week, and with luck, I will meet my goal in time for Valentine’s Day.
Your turn! What is your major goal for 2014? Please share with us here and together, we can make it happen!
Just thought I’d let everyone know that I did make it onto TV last year on CTV, a national Canadian network — although my interview was on the local Manitoba channel. It’s a start! Here’s a link to the interview, for anyone who is interested: http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=440143&binId=1.1206882&playlistPageNum=1
Thanks, Becc. I hope so, too!
What a fabulous goal. I do hope that you do achieve them and I see you on Ellen soon 🙂
Doreen — Best of luck in cracking one of the national TV talk shows in the U.S They are very, very tough to get on even for the big companies in the U.S. So if you don’t succeed at first, try, try again. Your book is wonderful so you’ve got a good “product” to talk about. My goal for 2014 is to downsize and move to another apartment. That entails selling the one I have and finding the one I want. I want to be decorating my Christmas tree in my new digs! Happy New Year.
Thx for your encouragement, Jeannette. Goals aren’t meant to be easy. They’re meant to give us a good challenge, which in turn … will produce the desired results. I’m up for a good challenge!
Good luck in finding your new digs. It sure gives us a new lease on life when we change or refresh our surroundings.
Hi Doreen,
I don’t have any specific goal to achieve this year. I only want to write more quality contents. At least I want to post more valuable articles for my readers in my blog.
You have a great goal this year. I am very excited to read your post. I hope you can achieve it easily and successfully.
Thanks very much for your comment, Heru, and for making your first comment on my blog. I hope you’ll subscribe and enjoy future posts. I will definitely check out your blog. 🙂
My major goal for 2014, believe it or not, is to learn how to set goals more effectively. Susan Cooper is proving a big help in this area 🙂 My other big goal is to finish a third draft of my novel so I can share it with test readers.
Hi Jeri: I know what you mean. In the past, I have not been a formal goal setter either. But I have learned that having a clear intent helps you stay focused, and also enables others to help you achieve your goal. If you don’t write it down or formally declare it, it slowly gets forgotten, massaged, diffused, and lost.
Good luck with completing your novel!
I have to agree with Sherryl, you have the most industrious goal I’ve seen this year! Mine are easy by comparison. I simply plan to run at least 500 miles, save $500 for next Christmas, and help my kids find an activity that they really enjoy to get them more active.
Thanks for your comment, Lisa, and welcome on your first visit to my blog!
I believe no goal is too industrious if we believe, persevere, and have a little luck. 🙂
Good luck in achieving your own goals.
Well Doreen, your goal is one of the most industrious (and measurable) that I’ve seen so far this year! I think that’s the key to success when it comes to goal-setting. It needs to be achievable (I have no doubt that you will achieve this) and measurable. You’re a brave woman to put this out there. I can’t wait to see the video clips of your interviews on your site!
(Notice, that I haven’t shared my goals with you? That’s because I haven’t clearly set them. I’d like to say that it’s to become financially independent by monetizing either my main blog or by creating new niche sites but until I have a strategy, I’m reluctant to call them goals.)
Thanks, Sherryl. I really feel confident that I have an interesting story to share. I’ve been told I make an excellent interviewee/guest for all the radio shows and print articles I’ve been interviewed for. But I know I need to expand my reach in order to sell more books and raise my profile, so … Ellen DeGeneres and others … here I come! And besides, I’ll bring chocolate to share, so why wouldn’t they want to have me on their show(s)? Stay tuned … 🙂
God luck in achieving your goals. I know you can and will do whatever you set your mind to.
I look forward to watching your tv debut! It’s in the bag for sure. You continue to inspire me. How do you stay so focused.
One of my goals this year is to sell all my current works and produce new and exciting paintings.
Happy New Year my friend!
Thanks so much, Manny, and happy new year to you!
It is indeed to stay focused, but when you self-publish a book, you have to, as no one else will do it for you.
Good luck with your art career. I admire your creativity and your versatility.
If anyone can accomplish this, you can, Doreen. I hope the reviews I’ve done will help, and I’ll do whatever else I can to help you achieve this goal. I know I’ve told you, as others have, but you really are an inspiration to so many–not only on this project but just with your enthusiasm and positive attitudes.
I have a few irons in the fire but am not quite ready to say what I *really* want to accomplish this year. You’re right that by owning it, saying it, and letting others know how they can help, the goals become realities.
Here’s to a terrific year of achieving all of our goals.
Thanks so much, Christine, for your friendship, your professionalism, and your support. You’ve truly been one of the people who has been cheering me on from Day 1 and I am truly grateful for that. Best of luck to you in achieving your goals. I will help you in whatever way I can.
Doreen: Boy you know how to cut through the crap and hit me between the eyes. I had not realized how mushy my “plans” had become until you asked this question. I have been doing plenty of talking and brainstorming, and … you name it, but precious little setting of real goals. I know better, having started numerous small businesses in my past.
Sometimes knowledge gets tucked in the shadows though, and a post like yours makes me give my head a big shake. Truth is, I haven’t set a solid goal. And I wonder why I seem to be spinning my wheels.
Thank you once again. I’ll have to get back to you on this one.
Yay, Wendy! Thanks for your comment, and for realizing that you’ve got some work to do! Keep us posted as you move forward in setting and achieving your goals. I have faith in you!
One of my goals is to work on my ebook.
Hello Jason: I suggest you make your goal more specific. Goals that are vague become meaningless or unachievable. There’s no doubt you’ll work on your e-book. But is it your intent to complete it? Or to get halfway thru? Or to just formulate the Table of Contents and Outline? Just my suggestion, but I thought it was worth sharing. Good luck with it.
My plan is to complete my ebook ( scholarships for students) by the beginning of June.
Wow. Looking forward to seeing you achieve your goal. Best of luck!
My main personal goal is to reach goal weight. My main business goal would be to start making money with the coaching.
Good luck on reaching your goals, Cassi. Here’s hoping that 2014 brings a fresh new energy that will enable us to focus on our goals and achieve the results we’re looking for.
I love setting and achieving goals. Maybe that’s my next blog 🙂 The main goal I have for 2014 is to finish my Practicum and Internship, successfully pass the State exam, and have my Substance Abuse Counselor’s certification by the fall of 2014.
The second goal is to make my blog professional and see if there is an income to be earn from it.
Thanks for your comment, Jeannette, and welcome to the blog!
I hope you achieve your goals. It sounds like you’re well on your way! Happy New Year, and I hope to see you here again soon. 🙂
Three goals really:
1) I am starting P90X 3 on January 6. This time around I want to follow their nutrition guide AS WELL AS the exercises and finally get down to my ideal weight. I should be 180, maybe less, and right now I am 205 or so.
2) Get back to my martial arts class. I want to go at least once a week.
3) I want to hit Diamond Coach rank with Beachbody. (They produce workout programs like P90X 3.) If I reach my fitness goals from #1, this is more likely to happen because I will be a “product of the product,” and people won’t think I’m just trying to peddle some useless crap on them!
Good luck with achieving your goals, Steve. As your goals are all connected and on the same track, it is very likely that you will achieve all 3. All the best for a happy and healthy 2014.
Doreen, I’m sure you’ll achieve your 2014 goal.
I’ve set a few goals for 2014, but my main one is to finish the book I started this fall.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Donna. All the best in 2014 and I hope you finish your book in good time.
Best of luck with your goal for 2014. By stating it aloud and writing it down, you are that much closer to achieving it! I will do what I can to help, and to that end, I have just ordered a copy of the book on Amazon. I can’t wait to read it (and write a review)
Yay, Grace! That is the biggest compliment anyone can pay an author: to order their book, and to commit to writing a review on completion. Thx very much for your support. And all the best in 2014.
I look forward to getting the book!
My goal is to run a half-marathon in May. My friend and I are holding each other accountable by sharing our daily food logs and workouts. The idea is to do something we’ve never done before, and enjoy doing it. I hope to learn to love running by the end of this. In fact, I ran my first mile (of the process) today!
Sounds like an achievable goal, Gabbi, as you have a plan, and support to help you achieve it. Good luck, and thanks for stopping by the blog.
Wishing all the success that you deserve…drive has so much to do with realizing goals, and you’ve plenty of that! Be sure to let us know where and what time to tune in 🙂 My goal this year is to get a literary agent to rep my manuscript, The Accuser’s Burden.
Thanks for the good wishes, Jacquie. And good luck in finding the right agent to represent your book. Happy New Year!
Hi Doreen,
I was going to say something cheesy like “stop sleeping in” until I read Susan’s wise response above. There really are lots of things that just need to get done.
I hope your appearances work out – I’ve not heard of this idea with chocolate before, so go at it 110%.
My goal is similar – public speaking. I’ve always been a solid teacher and have used my knowledge of content marketing to get the word out about convenient blogging answers, but it’s time to be more bold and hit the stage. I do live in NYC, so, shouldn’t be impossible…
Cheers,
Greg from BHB
Thanks for your comment, Greg, and good luck in achieving your goals. If you want to become a professional speaker, join Toastmasters, or an advanced speaker’s club. It will really up your game and make you stand out from the rest. Toastmasters definitely worked for me.
Publishing is definitely one of my goals as well. I’m following Chris Brogan’s concept to have three words as my goals for the year and am participating in his group WYBA – Write Your Book Already! Would love to know how you published the Choclotour book — self-published? And if so, did you use Create Space or just Amazon? Rooting to see you on TV!
Hi Rhona and welcome to the blog!
If you search this blog for “self-publishing” you will find several posts about how I self-published Chocolatour. I have both a printed (softcopy) version, and an e-book. I went thru a traditional printer for the printed version, as the book contains 61 colour photos and I wanted it done right. Good luck with your publishing project and all the best for 2014.
Great goal Doreen and I’m sure you will succeed. Setting goals is so important, have strategies to reach them and tactics for your strategies. Am sure with your determination you will appear on major networks. Happy New Year!!
Good luck to you Doreen and with your enthusiasm and determination I know you will be successful
Mine is to keep going through the final edit of my novel, have it read one more time and then hopefully getting it out there.
Thanks for your encouragement, Harry! I wish you well with your project as well, and hope your novel will be well received.
Happy New Year to you, and all the best in 2014. 🙂
Harry: You have one of the best names for an author I have ever heard. Of course you must get your novel out there. Good luck to you.
Just wanted to add that I was deadly serious with that comment, Harry. After I posted, I worried that it might sound flip, but I have a marketer’s heart, and your name resonated with that part of me.
What a fantastic goal Doreen- you’re such an inspiration. I’m usually dragging my heels when it comes to goal setting, but my goal for 2014 is to find a literary agent for my novel Under The Bed, set in NYC in both the McCarthy era and the Vietnam years. I’ll definitely be routing for you, so let’s hope we both make it. Happy New year.
Thanks, A.K. I’m so glad we’ve connected.
I’ll definitely be routing for you, too! Do let me know if there is anything I can do to help you achieve your goal. Cheers, and Happy New Year!
I’ve no doubt you will be successful with your goal Doreen. Having heard you interviewed I know you are charming and engaging and you couldn’t pick a more fun topic. This post was a good reminder to give myself a nudge to do a book review for you. I’m inundated at the moment, but it will come (honest!).
Thanks so much, Debra. Your kind words and encouragement mean much to me. And thanks for the offer to do a review of my book. I’ll be looking forward to it!
Wishing you all the best for 2014.
I’m sure you will make your way into the national spotlight. You are the most determined and hard-working person I know.
I am the least goal-oriented person on the planet. My only goal is to enjoy each day, to be present, to see what is before me, and to make the most of the good health I’ve been blessed with so far.
May 2014 be your year!
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Linda. It sure isn’t easy to get noticed, but I keep trying, and with the support of great folks like you (thanks again for the lovely reviews you did on Amazon and Goodreads) … it will come.
Believe me. I’m just like you, in that I live every day to the fullest, and that often gets in the way of “productive” work. But that’s OK. I chose to live in the slow lane over the past few months, and I’m now ready to let ‘er rip! Cheers & Happy New Year!
Hi Doreen: I have absolutely no doubt that you’ll attain your goal – and more – this coming year. I have long admired your creativity and tenacity regarding Chocolatour, and have no doubt you’ll attain this goal as well. I’ll continue to put a word in for your book where and when I can.
I’d like to have a regular column again. But along with that column, I have two books that I’d like to get published. One is a horse book, the other, a psychotherapy book.
So, it looks as if there’s work to be done by all of us!
Best wishes, Doreen!
Thanks so much for your kind words of encouragement, Dorothy. Sometimes we work hard at achieving our goals and aren’t even aware of the angels out there who are helping us. 🙂 I really appreciate your support and confidence in me.
Good luck in achieving your goals this year. I am hopeful that 2014 will be filled with positive energy and results for those of us who are working hard to get them.
I have a children’s book in the works, inspired by a flowering plant in my yard. A real switch from my autobiography, eh? 😉 I’ll keep you posted. <3
That’s terrific, Esther! I’ll look forward to seeing that book as I’m sure it will be brimming with your creativity and enthusiasm for life and beauty. I hope you’ll find yourself an excellent illustrator for the book. Susan Cooper right here in our community is an excellent illustrator you might like to connect with.
If there is anyone I know who can achieve a goal or goals they set out to do it is you my friend. I will do my part whenever and wherever I can. I am rooting for you.
As for me. I have three. To publish two more books and one cookbook. The rest are things that just need to get done. 🙂
Happy New Year my friend. 🙂
Thanks, Susan. You truly are a valued friend and colleague. And I’ll be rooting for you, too! Good luck in achieving your goals, and let me know what I can do to help. 🙂