Sometimes a New Year is difficult to face because you feel it will be more of the same. Some people eagerly write out their resolutions and goals while others don’t know what they want. They just know it’s not what they have. So if you’re one of the people who don’t know what they want try this exercise.

What would you want your tombstone to say? How about your obituary? Would you want it to be three lines or half a page with a picture of you at the peak of your glory? Go ahead and dream. Imagine the plays you’ve written, the bookshelf crammed with your books, the awards you’ve won, the lives you’ve changed or the charities you’ve helped and/or created. Let your mind run free and write it down.

Then step back and look at what it reveals. Perhaps from that you can find a kernel of what your destiny is. Now take a deep breath and have the courage to go for it. You want to be a playwright? Type the name of your first play or write an outstanding review. Design the book cover for your book, sketch the painting you’ve always wanted to try. It doesn’t matter if you just put your toe in the water or jump in. Go for it, you don’t have forever.

An article of interest:
Seven Things I’ve Learned about Writing Part II

Make 2009 your year!