December 2023 Goals

I can’t believe we’re sharing December 2023 goals. Where did this year go??

My writer productivity skyrockets when I set monthly writer goals, and it’s time to share my December goals. At the beginning of each week I break them down into daily tasks that fit my current schedule. Do you know how great it is to finish projects? Of course you do! For me, setting monthly goals makes it all possible.

Every month I share how I did the previous month as well as what my new goals are. Let’s get to it!

How Did I Do? Jill’s November Goals

• Writing
• Plot book 4 in my new Love Inspired series, Wyoming Legacies, and write the long synopsis and first three chapters of the book. CHECK!
• Continue revising nonfiction book. NO CHECK. 🙁

• Health
• Exercise 4 days/week with more difficult sessions 3 of the days. CHECK
• Continue eating fresh fruits and vegetables each day. NO CHECK

• Other
• Read 15 minutes of fiction every weekday. CHECK
• Begin Christmas shopping. CHECK
• Watch a Hallmark Christmas movie. CHECK

I had a good November! I finished the proposal for book 5 early and had to push aside the nonfiction (again!!) due to a new project coming up. That’s the life of a writer. Sometimes opportunities come along, and we make tough choices. I’m back to scheduling short revising sessions for my nonfiction project. *sigh*

As for my health, all month I did great exercising, but my eating habits slipped. I was eating more leftovers for lunch and fewer fresh veggies. I also have a sweet tooth, and I ate way more candy than usual. So…I’m back at it. My eating plan is pretty simple to follow, and it’s not restrictive. The hardest part is just making sure the food is readily available. This means I spend at least an hour a week chopping fresh vegetables to snack on and for salads.

Oh, and I had a great month reading, watching a Hallmark movie and buying Christmas presents!

Jill’s December Goals

• Writing
• Plot a new novel, write a long synopsis and sample chapters. Revise the proposal.
• Continue revising nonfiction book 3 days/week.

• Health
• Exercise 4 days/week with more difficult sessions 3 of the days.
• Continue eating fresh fruits and vegetables each day.

• Personal
• Read 15 minutes of fiction every weekday.
• Visit the Toledo Zoo to see the Christmas Lights
• Crochet another Christmas tree
• Read a Christmas romance

I’m excited about December! Last weekend I drove to Hobby Lobby and bought a bunch of yarn to make these cute Christmas trees. I already made two–they’re so cute! This is the first one I made. If you’re interested in the pattern, I purchased it on Etsy. You can find it at “Crochet Pattern Christmas Tree Trio” by OfftheBeatenHook.

Oh! I almost forgot to tell you–The Cowboy’s Christmas Compromise spent FOUR–yes 4!!–weeks on the Publishers Weekly bestseller list for mass-market books! Can you believe it? I’m stunned! Thank you to everyone who purchased the book!!

And one more announcement…

I have a FREE online short story coming up as part of Harlequin’s Twelve Days of Christmas author takeover! YES! The story takes place in Jewel River, Wyoming, and you’ll recognize several characters from The Cowboy’s Christmas Compromise in it. The story is called, “The Christmas Cowboy Next Door” and will release in four installments, beginning December 17, 2023! I’ll share the link here on my blog when it goes live!

How did you do in November? What are your December goals?

Enjoy your week!