Go Forth and Set the World on Fire {Goals}

This new planner sums up my year quite well.

In 2015 I decided my life-long goal of becoming a published romance author could no longer be put on hold. I spent 2016 learning about publishing, and 2017 was the year it all came together. In 2018, I plan to learn from others and continue to give whenever possible. Reflecting back, it was the advice of people like Emma Prince, Keira Montclair and Mark Dawson along with the SPF team that enabled me to fulfill a dream. When I resigned from my job in August, placing my education degrees in the cellar, I despaired over lost time and massive monetary investment.

But that wasn’t quite right.

It turns out, my desire to educate and collaborate was not accidental. Simultaneously, the ladies from Permission to Hustle revealed their word of 2018 and challenged others to do the same. I’d already set goals for next year: two author collaborations, five published books, jumping into the nonfiction publishing realm. So was my word publish? Collaborate? I continued to look backward for a clue, and that reflection led me back into the basement.

It turns out, one does not escape ten years of a Jesuit education without being ingrained. The idea of magis (literally translated to “more”) or the challenge to strive for excellence kept creeping into my consciousness. As did the Jesuit tenant of sharing your gifts with others. Eventually, I found my 2018 word in one of my favorite places. Quotes have been a part of my life as long as I can remember. I place them everywhere and even started a cosmetic company once with inspirational quotes on the packages. (Another story for another day.) And so, with a reflection on my formal education, I found this quote:

“Go forth and set the world on fire.” ~St. Ignatius of Loyola

So it’s settled. My word for 2018 is fire. My goal, to plunge into the world of publishing head-first. Publish meet, talk, collaborate and learn…feed my new career with every bit of myself, heart and soul. I’ve designed a life I love; 2018 is the time to nourish and grow that spark.

What is your goal for 2018?