Goals are good to have. Even better if you get to the goal you set. It is also not the end of the world if you don't. If you are doing NaNoWriMo you already know your daily word count is 1,667 words a day.
For me I want to be a day ahead come November 20th. My daily goal will be 1,750 words a day. All so I can go to a movie. The Hunger Games, Mocking Jay Part 2. Yes, that is my goal. I normally don't go to the theatre so going to a movie will be a special treat for me. If I get to my goal I get to see a movie. If not I can wait until December 1st or 50,000 words. Hopefully the 50,000 come before the 1st.
There are many motivators for writing. No Plot, No Problem suggested you give a friend money and if you don't meet the goal that week your friend gets to keep the money. That would motivate me if it was enough money but I will not be handing money over to any of my friends this year.
Make goals realistic. You have to afford them. For me getting a BMW if I hit 50,000 is dreamy but not realistic. I would also love a new Macbook pro, not happening. You have to be realistic or you won't write a word.
By now you know there are activities that you will have to put aside for the month of November. Mine include: TV, movies and reading for pleasure. All three can be a self reward for meeting daily or weekly writing goals.
1,667 words and on target for the month = Favorite TV show
Word count for the week = Movie or buy a new book
It is good to set small goals too.
500 words = Piece of your favorite candy (not sticky and easy to eat to get back to writing)
30 minutes of uninterrupted writing = a snack. You know the cookies your are craving that you just bought, deny yourself for 30 minutes while writing and let that be your reward.
Try to beat your last word count. Set a timer for 10 minutes and write. Set the timer again and see if you can beat your last word count. These don't have a "reward" but for those of us that like to win and are competitive this helps.
Another way to make it to your word goals is to make bets with your friends. One of your friends probably loves bets. Bet them if you get to 50,000 they buy you dinner and if you don't you take them out. This person has to be someone that will ride you relentlessly but you will like going out to dinner with them too.
Of course you could do all these things without writing a word but the self denial and rewards are self motivators. I googled self reward and found many good lists. Think out of the box! If you have a fun goal or motivator please share in comments.
For me I want to be a day ahead come November 20th. My daily goal will be 1,750 words a day. All so I can go to a movie. The Hunger Games, Mocking Jay Part 2. Yes, that is my goal. I normally don't go to the theatre so going to a movie will be a special treat for me. If I get to my goal I get to see a movie. If not I can wait until December 1st or 50,000 words. Hopefully the 50,000 come before the 1st.
There are many motivators for writing. No Plot, No Problem suggested you give a friend money and if you don't meet the goal that week your friend gets to keep the money. That would motivate me if it was enough money but I will not be handing money over to any of my friends this year.
Make goals realistic. You have to afford them. For me getting a BMW if I hit 50,000 is dreamy but not realistic. I would also love a new Macbook pro, not happening. You have to be realistic or you won't write a word.
By now you know there are activities that you will have to put aside for the month of November. Mine include: TV, movies and reading for pleasure. All three can be a self reward for meeting daily or weekly writing goals.
1,667 words and on target for the month = Favorite TV show
Word count for the week = Movie or buy a new book
It is good to set small goals too.
500 words = Piece of your favorite candy (not sticky and easy to eat to get back to writing)
30 minutes of uninterrupted writing = a snack. You know the cookies your are craving that you just bought, deny yourself for 30 minutes while writing and let that be your reward.
Try to beat your last word count. Set a timer for 10 minutes and write. Set the timer again and see if you can beat your last word count. These don't have a "reward" but for those of us that like to win and are competitive this helps.
Another way to make it to your word goals is to make bets with your friends. One of your friends probably loves bets. Bet them if you get to 50,000 they buy you dinner and if you don't you take them out. This person has to be someone that will ride you relentlessly but you will like going out to dinner with them too.
Of course you could do all these things without writing a word but the self denial and rewards are self motivators. I googled self reward and found many good lists. Think out of the box! If you have a fun goal or motivator please share in comments.
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