.png)
A Story… Looking Good on the ROW80 Front
After my odd week last week -and my realisation of what was going on on Monday (if you haven’t read Monday’s post, do so as I had an epiphany on how powerful our mind can be and how it can affect our daily lives) the past two day has been relatively productive. This change in the breeze is a welcome relief. 
I’ve visited and commented on all my allocated team for Sunday’ check-in (a promise is a promise). *yay* I’ve written two blog posts (including this one), a guest blog post for Rance Denton over at The Action Prose and added 240 words to Our Story Begins; here’s a snippet:
Gina stared at the text for what seemed like the millionth time; her heart crashed every millisecond as she re-read the words; her brain expanded then warped, the text became a tad too hazy –oh and her head screamed at her. Gina closed her eyes to focus; her breath became ragged as she realised there was no change in the electronic words displayed on her iPhone.
“Babe I miss you…”
(For the rest and what came before, head on over to DiRosaYikici.)
My New ROW80 Goals for the Next Week and a Half is:
I’ve come across a few ROW80’er bloggers who have SMART goals; therefore, I thought I’d use their tactic and see how I fair this week –fingers-crossed it works.
- Blog: Write and schedule in five blog posts by Sunday 5th February 2012.
- WIP: Type up the longhand I wrote on my WIP a few weeks ago & finalise the short stories I am going to work on. I’ll aim for a minimum of 200 words per day and see how I fair.
- As a Sponsor: Continue to visit my allocated team and cheer cheer cheer (if you’d like to ask anything about your goals etc., please feel free to contact me or any of the other fab sponsors). Want to cheer the fab ROW80′ers too? Click here and ensure you’re heard.
- Artwork: Allocate one hour a day on my unfinished triptych I started a few years ago.
- Exercise: 30-45 minutes per day –be it a brisk walk in the park or yoga-based exercises at home.
- Social Media: Visit Twitter, Facebook & Google+ three times a day; spending no more than 30 mins at a time. Read three blogs a day (except the days I cheer my ROW80’ers).
- ROW80/Writing Buddy: I’m looking for a ROW80/writing buddy –just so I can be accountable for my goals as I have noticed some days are harder to stick to my goals than any other –so if you fancy pairing up with me in order for us to egg each other on then please contact me or leave a comment (whichever suits you). Let’s make 2012 a year to remember!
I will revise this at my next check-in, which is Sunday 5th February. I hope to catch up with you all then –and my team sooner; see ya all then, stay positive and don’t forget to SMILE.
In the meantime; if you want to catch up with any of the past articles here at yikici then please click here. I will be back on Friday with my theory and findings on the Fun Game – In Your Head; for the ever curious please pop back then and have a read. Before I disappear here’s that unfinished painting I plan to work on this week (let’s hope I do work on it; or else it’ll stay forever like this!).
Copyright © Ozlem Yikici 2009-2012. All Rights Reserved.
So, Friday; be here as well as be good. Ta-raaa for now. 
Copyright © Ozlem Yikici 2011-2012 & Copyright © doodllz™ 2011-2012. All Rights Reserved.
***
As you already know, thoughts and comments are encouraged as always -even if it is just a word -as ‘all good discussions start with just one word’.
***
If there is a topic you would like me to look into and explore in my own yikici-kind-of-way then please feel free to leave a suggestion in the comment box below or for those of you who are a wee bit shy drop me a line via my contact page or email me at admin[at]yikici[dot]co[dot]uk
Care to join me for some collaborative work or want to be a guest blogger? If so, email me at the above address.
***
Here’s the rest of the ROW80′er crew
About the author: Creative from the word go, an artist at heart – writer, poet, photographer, blogger... I am currently working on my first novel Becoming – Mystical Realisations and I have also started some research for my novella (currently does not have a title). Read more from this author14 comments:
I forgot to mention that your link to Monday’s post didn’t work. It said page not found.
Thank you Haley I was like you too with my goals; but I thought I’d try out the SMART technique and see if it works for me -something has to! I appreciate your time to pop by and yes it’s surely tough going through a bad patch but coming through it unscathed (or rather with still some get up and go attitude is marvellous!).
I’ve fixed the link -thank you for the heads-up.
I need to SMARTen my goals I think. I never added things like blogging, social networking in to my goals for ROW80 and think I should. Mmm! Your excerpt sounds great. I wrote quite a lot – several scenes – over the past few days, but had to remove a few too, so feel like I’m wading through jam. Good for you and your progress though, and great to get back into older challenges – like your art project. X
Shah, what wonderful comments! Thank you for your kind words and sincerity. It’s good that you are able to generate a lot of scenes and then remove the ones that are not working for you; variety is the spice of life -and it’s great with creative works, so don’t be disheartened.
I love your goals! I’m doing an ATC (artist trading card) a day. It’s usually a simple sketch about my state-of-mind. LOL! Your art is stunning! Looking forward to seeing updates on it!
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog this week. You left a wonderful comment that pepped me up when I needed it.
I wish you a ton of success the rest of this week.
I would definitely like to be a ROW partner with you, but I’m not sure when I’ll be moving to my apartment from the hotel (or if I’ll have internet immediately! The details are still in the works). If you don’t mind 1-2 weeks of radio silence, then I’d love to hook up! I’m an IM-er so hit me up with an email if you’re interested.
Keep Writing!
Dawn
Dawn you are a sweetie -and thank you for the lovely comments (I’ll be in contact with you shortly). I’ve not ever done an ATC before -apart from doodling -does that count? -stay positive & hope to catch up with you at some point.
I was amazed by the dream you wrote about on Monday’s post. It’s a strange thing to happen, and just goes to show how powerful dreams can be in affecting our thougts and emotions. I’m a firm believer in the power of the subconcious.
Your writing excerpt has huge emotional impact. You made the moment come to life. Right now, in my edits, I’m working on adding emotional depth to my scenes. It’s quite a job, but you rocked it on that passage.
Last of all, your painting is stunning. After seeing that, I had to click through to your artwork pages.
Have a good week with your new goals!
Suzanne, I really don’t know what to say -so a HUGE thank you is coming your way; you’ve certainly put a spring in my step this morning (a hard feat considering how sleepy I am still -on 4.5 hours of sleep!).
I am extremely intrigued by the mind and how it can offset against our day -be it positive or negatively; I will certainly exploring this a bit more.
Sounds like you had a very productive week. Your SMART goals, do indeed, sound smart. I especially like the controls you have on your social media time. That’s a tricky area for me so I’m always curious how others tackle it. Have a great work week until you check-in 2/5. (Is that really so close?)
*looks around then counts fingers* hmmm -’yep it really is that close -oooer’
Thank you popping by and for you lovely comments!
I’m glad you seem to have found a successful balance in your goals! That’s the ultimate goal of ROW80, isn’t it?
Normally I shoot for fairly specific goals in my writing, but at the moment, with me needing to learn so much about ebook marketing, that’s flux. But I’m ok with that, and I’m keeping my goals vague and adjusting them accordingly. At the same time, I’m a lot more focused, and am “frittering” a lot less than I normally do. While I’m not obsessing (I don’t allow myself to check sales numbers more than once a day), they are definitely keeping my eye on the prize! *g*
Gahhh SMART Goals! *hides*
Sorry, business school trauma lol. Your goals are so well-rounded, sounds like you’re definitely going to be focused this round! Good luck!
I absolutely love your blog design by the way.
Ruth & Lisa thank you both for your lovely comments; goals are tricky and to find a balance needs a lot of focus & drive (which I lack at times *hides head in shame*); but nontheless, I try to keep going in the small steps I can muster.
Ruth, I truly hope your book sales do well. (Good luck with that.)
Lisa, I totally understand your eversion to SMART goals (I’m still in two-minds over it); thank you for popping by and being so sweet.
Way to be productive! I like your new specific ROW80 goals. I kept my goals vague on purpose. But posting my progress weekly has really kept me on my toes. I think we’re all entitled to a slump week once in a while. But you turned it around. That is the key. Keep up the good work!