VISION, GOALS, FOCUS, NICHE.

Updated CROSSPOST from @thiscreativeadventure.com (Fri 13th Sept, as T.C.A. #2).

VISION - “Something seen in the imagination” Etymonline.

"Vision birthed in Angre
Or in Foule Wilde Distaste !
Woulde Vision birthed at Langour
Conquer then
Madde Diction Un-candour
Noted when
Beschriven so in Haste ?"

Found inserted in Paul Burwell’s copy of Mein Kampf.

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TIPSHEET:

This beautiful piece of Middle-English prose suggests that there is no need to Rush in formulating one’s Vision…. Just keep thinking about it, allow it to grow naturally…..

When one is dissatisfied with one’s Personal Circumstances, or with the unfair results of, say - Corrupt Political Economics, then one contemplates a more desirable future. Ambitions thus stirred we develop our Vision.

For some, that’s about acquiring Material Wealth. For others it’s more to do with gaining Wisdom and/or creating a sustainable Green and Pleasant Planet. We find these three (and more) Visions amongst Substack’s growing communities of Readers & Writers. As we continue to read, discuss and contemplate, our Visions naturally fluctuate, and at some point we desire to share them, to contribute to this Mutual Education, on this Our Platform. This is the process that leads us to consider stating our Goals.

GOALS.

“Without Goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that sets sail with no destination” Fitzhugh Dodson.

It’s OK for a while, to simply write lots of stuff, About lots of stuff, whilst you figure out your destination, just don’t aim at publishing it all as you go. Leave it in draft form, read through and refine at least twice. Once you have a few ready to publish, you will be clearer about your potential goals. WRITE them down ! Why is this so important ? … ‘Cos it gets you thinking,… Clearly.

“Written Goals have a way of transforming wishes into wants; can’ts into Cans; dreams into plans; plans into realities. Don’t just think it - ink it !!” Michael Korda.

Now go through those drafts, Put them in order of precedence but not rapidly. (With a stock of drafts ready for final proof reading you will never need to panic over deadlines) First Goal (Ready To Rock) achieved. Now you can commence publishing.

As you move forwards you will add, refine and discard Goals. No need to set them in stone, allow them to develop just as you do. Keep ‘em handy, revisit fairly regularly as old friends are worth keeping in touch with. During these early days consider your exit strategy. This may be “Once I am earning X from my writings, I can give up my other job” or “Once the mortgage is paid off I can sell up, downsize to a campervan and just write a travelblog” Whatever your Exit Strategy is decided (Final Goal ?) you can think about the Actual Tactics (Intermediate Goals) to get you where you really wanna be….

TIPSHEET:

You will need an Over All Goal (Strategy), inc Final Goal, PLUS intermediate Step Goals (Tactics), inc a Postings Goal…. Be a little more than realistic… e.g: Carefully record:- Time spent those drafting, include subject research (which can vary considerably), Creation of your own artwork - OR finding appropriate free copyright images to download, Learning how to Substack (which can be frustrating for some), Reading others in your genre(s), having a snack (because multiple short screen breaks are essential)….. Now play safe and double the total time. Lets say that’s fourteen hours per post…. can you really dedicate two hours EVERY DAY ? Then your absolute max posting GOAL should be thrice monthly… to - avoid - burnout…. Such a schedule may allow you to stay in front, improve your work… and eventually, increase your output a little.

Here’s a tale by Jack Canfield, about why Written Goals are so, SOoo Important…. “When Olympic decathlon gold medalist Bruce Jenner asked a roomfull of Olympic hopefuls if they had a list of written goals, Everyone raised their hands. When he asked how many of them had the list with them right at that moment, only one person raised a hand - Dan O’Brien - who then went on to win the decathlon Gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Don’t underestimate the power of setting Goals and constantly reviewing them”.

If you DELAY in Setting your Goals, you will be late in improving your…. ?

FOCUS !…..

Here’s a quote from Zig Ziglar, read it twice, focus on the last three words… “I don’t care how much power, brilliance or energy you have, if you don’t harness it and Focus it on a specific Target - and hold it there - you’re never going to Accomplish as much as Your Ability Warrants.”

Focus on Goal setting, early days…. Focus on, say, a bi-monthly re-evaluation and update of your Goals. Keeps ‘em fresh !! Reminds you of your route to … ?

Focus on Prioritization of tasks… A useful trick that is widely advocated is to keep a list handy of Stuff to Do, updated at the end of each working day, and underline just One, maybe Two, items for tomorrow’s Focus. To be a successful writer, item One should normally be Writing Related - this way you learn the importance of Developing a Degree of Discipline… Is this one of your written Goals ?

Read the Gurus on Focus. Note that they are not always in agreement.. Josiah Gilbert Holland suggests Focusing on One thing at a time, all things in Succession; Adam’s Rule suggests that instead of attempting to be the “Best” at just One - try to be Great at Two things, and combine them - thereby making your Skillset unique…. Personally, the latter makes more sense. What Pairing of Goals would You Prioritize ?

“Eighty percent of Success is showing up” Woody Allen. Focusing on Consistency is probably the most common advice given across Substack. It is far too easy to make the BIG Mistake of increasing one’s outpouring to gain more Subscribers. Focus on a Realistic No Burnout Timings Goal.

If your Dream is to become an Author, then all of the above is pertinent to your Success. “This Creative Adventure” exists to help you make your first, and ongoing, steps on your way. You will be introduced to other Educators, who can provide support, tips and wisdom, Educators whose words we trust. There are no Course Fees at T.C.A., everything is included in your Subscription - Which is FREE until 30th November, and you can cancel anytime. Between now that date you may decide to go paid, taking advantage of Substack’s Pledge system. This Creative Adventure is currently offering an 30% discount if you Pledge before the end of November, i.e: Thirty Euros instead of Fifty… FOLLOW THIS LINK

This Creative Adventure

Why the Big Discount ? Because it’s a core belief here that KNOWLEDGE IS NOT A COMMODITY…

If your Vision is to be an influential writer within the fast growing Niche tackling the Horrors of Climate Disaster, then ask yourself “Who would be your ideal readers ?” Surely they are folk who would be interested in your offer. SOoo how do you reach them ? Do you really know your stuff ? Have you done the courses ? YES = GOOD. Have you worked in the Field ? YES = BETTER. Is your related Life Experience Broad ? YES = BETTER STILL. Are you a Focused and Skilled Communicator / Engaging Educator ? AND, Do you strive to be an example ? YES = Wonderful, may I help you to Focus on achieving your Vision ? May I also promote your work ?

NOW HERE’S A THOUGHT: “You must be the change you wish to See.” Mahatma Gandhi.

NICHE.

Twentysix months ago I read a seriously interesting article prophesying Niche Communities as the Future of Social Media. Then on the 8th of this September Veronica Llorca-Smith article entitled ““ You Are Your Niche” Is Terrible Advice For 97% of Writers”, which prompted me to dig out that older article and read them side by side. Then I noticed Veronica’s Subtitle “How to join the remaining 3%”, which in turn prompted me to comment and praise both her and the welter of intelligent comments already there before me. A number of brief bright exchanges ensued. Now that got me subscribing to an equally interesting stack and brought me new followers. Which is a fine example of how Substack works, n’est-ce pas ?

I pondered what “Niche authorship” might actually mean to different Minds, and resolved to add something to today’s post - and to write more, later, on Niche’s obvious and hidden values, with some considerations for Multi-Niching. For I believe that a Community of Planet Conscious Authors could do much towards peacefully Healing Our World. Will you visit us, will you join us ?

At This Creative Adventure, some posts will remain free. Now there is also a Scholarship Programme, see details at This Creative Adventure

NeXt Stories on Maurice’s Substack, (Some Wednesdays). (Date corrected).

Ancient Legend #14, 27th Oct Nov “Dragonships”.

Random #3. 4th Dec. “The Stone”.

NeXt 0n This Creative Adventure (Most Fridays - with a break in December).

T.C.A. #9, 22nd Nov. “The value of using Quotes and Humour” + “Tipsheet” + “Further Scholarship Update”.

T.C.A. #10, 29th November. “Hallo Goldie, An Introduction to Douglas McClenaghan” + “Now Here’s a Thought”

Once Again, Dear Readers, my heartfelt thanks for your time, for your interest. Best Wishes for a Pollution Free Future, Maurice.