Celebrating a year of wins: Tracking and setting goals

Well, I don't know about you, but it's been an interesting few years for me. In January, I tend to get bogged down by all the New Year's resolutions and "new year, new me" propaganda. I used to love sitting down and mapping out the yearly quarters.

The past few years have taught me that I don't have the stability or the energy to dive into that kind of plan.

So, I shifted my focus. Instead of tracking and setting hard goals that are all or nothing, I've leaned into setting gentler hopes. For example, publishing A Traitor Among Tyrants or outlining a new story. I don't have deadlines (other than the year), and I don't put a lot weight into finishing them - because a lot of these items will take the time they take. As much as I can anticipate how long, sometimes they have a mind of their own.

Instead, I set celebrations. That is something I have definitely been lacking. I can focus a bit too much on completing goals, rather than celebrating the fact I got there at all. I like to break it down into three categories.

Little wins

The little wins are the things that don't necessarily make or break a larger hope. They are the emails sent, the connections made, the small steps toward a thing that needs doing.

I like to celebrate the little wins by writing them down on paper and keeping them safe in a mason jar. Then, in December, I can open the jar and look back on all those little things that added up to a larger win. It reminds me that the details matter. And when it feels like I'm running so fast to go nowhere, this method gives me the visual that actually, a lot has happened.

Big wins

The big wins are the pieces on the map that are an obvious goal. Things like publishing a book or speaking at an event or getting into a new indie bookstore. They take a lot of those little wins in order to get there.

These wins are the ones I am most guilty of ignoring. I like to wave as they go by and then convince myself I'm still not working hard enough.

Sometimes, if I have the energy, I may celebrate some of these with a party. Other times, it might be just doing something special for myself, like going to my favourite restaurant, meeting a friend for coffee and cake, or even taking a break. (The last one with the caveat that a rest should not be a reward. Occasionally, an extended break like a weekend away is a better celebration for me here.)

But I like to take some intentional time to mark the win so that at the least, it doesn't just pass me by.

Exceeding wins

The final category I have is when I not only complete a goal but exceed it with flying colours - oftentimes with pieces that are outside of my control. That might look like publishing a book and making a best-seller list within the first week of release (yet to happen but a girl can dream) or being contacted and offered a paid author spot at an event.

I reserve the celebration of these for things that I have always wanted to do but never had the chance. That could look very different depending on the person, but some examples may be taking a trip you've dreamed of, going on a long walk to reflect on how you got there, planning a special picnic, or some other thing you love to do!

The important part is to do something that reflects things we enjoy and that fill the well.

So, as we look at 2026 and try to pack in as much as possible, remember to take some time to celebrate being you and spending time doing the things you love. It doesn't need to look the way everyone else is presenting it - especially on social media. It just needs to resonate with you.

Happy New Year,

Erin