I'm going to lose weight.
I'm going to get organized.
I'm going to start exercising.
Every January millions of people make a promise to themselves that they'll improve their lifestyle. They all go into it with good intentions, but many of them falter before the end of the month. Those that follow through find that they have improved their lives.
When it comes to work habits, authors and writers can benefit from a few resolutions of their own. Is your career in a slump? Do you have a hard time meeting deadlines or finishing that weekly Blog? Making small changes is the best way to affect permanent change, and any of these resolutions can improve your writing career and achievments as an independent author. From writing itself to selling your work, here are some new habits you should be forming. 
I'm Never Going to Self-Edit Again
Reading 87 emails talking about my typos took up too much time this year. Next book, I'm getting it professionally edited.
I'm Going to Work Out at My Desk Every Day
Just because my chair seat measures two feet across doesn't mean my hind end has to. Office exercises are easy to do, and fit in with my work day. Speaking of which:
I'm Going to Switch to Healthy Snack Food
Yeah, M&Ms and Doritos are tasty, but they're one of the reasons I need those chair exercises. As a disciplined self-published author I'm switching to healthy foods like almonds, dried cranberries, apples, and pretzels. Actually, skipping snacking altogether would be even better, but we all know that's not going to happen.
I'm Going to Cut Back on the Caffeine
That spot right above the keyboard, the one that's dedicated to my coffee cup? It's now going to have a glass of ice water on it. Because it's not natural to be able to type 200 WPM after downing coffee all day. (maybe smaller steps..no more than 2-3 cups per day)
I'm Going to Go to a Writer's Conference This Year
Sure, writing is a solitary profession, but that doesn't mean we have to turn into hermits. It's healthy to get out and see other human beings once in a while, and other writers are the best. I'm going to network, exchange ideas, and trade chocolate/cocktail recipes with others who make their living putting words on the screen. If not a writers conference how about Book Expo America (BEA) in New York May 27-29... this will get your juices flowing!
I'm Going to Give Up "Watching Television"
We all have our favorite shows, and that's great. But when you just sit down to watch TV without even knowing what's on, you're wasting a lot of time. I won't turn on my television this year unless I have one specific show I want to watch, and I'll turn it off when the show is over. Voila! An instant hour or two each night to use for writing.
I'm Not Going to Waste My Writing Time
I'm going to use the Pomodoro Technique, use apps to shut down distracting social media sites, and use a machine not connected to the internet as much as possible. Lack of distractions means more words on the screen. Goofing around doesn't finish books, writing without interruption does.
Keep the Faith and May the Force be with You!
