20 for 2020

One of the podcasts I’m really into right now is Happier hosted by best-selling author Gretchen Rubin and her sister Elizabeth Craft. In the latest episode, the co-hosts encourage listeners to come up with a list of 20 things to accomplish in 2020. They say that research shows people who create concrete goals are 50 percent more likely to feel confident they will achieve their goals and 32 percent more likely to feel in control of their lives. Sounds good to me!

This list took a lot longer to put together than I expected, but I’m quite happy with the results. Some items are easy to accomplish, and I just need to make it a priority to get them done. Other things on the list may make your jaw drop. You have been warned. And of course, I’ve included a lot of writing projects. I think this list not only reflects my goals but also tells you a little bit more about me.

So, without further ado–I present to you my 20 for 2020 list.

  1. Get a Real ID card.
  2. Read 20 books THAT I ALREADY OWN.
  3. Shed and keep off 15 lbs. (maybe more)
  4. Relearn how to swim and finally face my anxiety about participating in water activities (boat rides,
    water slides, etc.).
  5. Learn how to apply eye makeup.
  6. Find a workout routine that I enjoy and willing to stick with for a decent and reasonable amount of time.
  7. Attend a major writing conference.
  8. Research my latest book idea and have an outline in place by the end of the year.
  9. Learn the basics of Twitter and Instagram.
  10. Purchase and hang up more artwork around the house.
  11. Watch Frozen (yes, I’ve never seen it. I know, shocker!)
  12. Start (and keep) a journal.
  13. Have dinner at Zahav in Philadelphia
  14. Walk every day.
  15. Plan something special for my 50th birthday (in 2021, baby!)
  16. Find opportunities to make someone else’s life easier, and then do it.
  17. Write more blog posts.
  18. Enter a few writing contests.
  19. Improve my networking skills.
  20. Say yes to new experiences.

So, what is on your 20 for 2020 list? I’d love to see it!

The Seatbelt Question

“Describe to me how you put on a seatbelt.”

I got this question at an otherwise uneventful job interview a few years ago. To this day, I have no idea what the person who asked me this was looking for. This certainly wasn’t on the list of common job questions to expect in an interview. Needless to say, I was not prepared.

I froze for a minute and decided that as a writer, I should just be as descriptive as possible. So, I gave what can only be described as an elaborate re-enactment of adjusting my seat and mirrors, sliding the belt across my chest and fastening it securely. And then, I told him how I sat in the driveway and patiently waited until my kids put their own seatbelts on and how after much protest from the back seat, I ended with something my father would say like “we aren’t going anywhere until you do as I say.”

I didn’t get the job. But, I don’t think it was because of that answer. He seemed thoroughly entertained by my story.

This question still haunts me. What else could I have possibly said about putting on a seatbelt? And what kind of twisted, psychological test was this that my interviewer was putting me through?

How would you have answered the question? And what is the strangest interview question you’ve ever heard? I’d love to hear them!

 

The Write Resources

It happens to the best writers. We sit down at the ideal time of day in the perfect setting to create something inspiring. Ready. Set. Go. Wait what? What do you mean you can’t think of anything to write? No problem! In order to avoid the dreaded writer’s block, I’ve armed myself with a plethora of resources for writing prompts, and now I’m offering them to you.

 

WordSmith Deck  – $15.95

I’ll start with my “in case of emergency” deck of cards. Pick a card. Any card. The questions are designed to clear your mind, jog your memory, or develop an idea. If you are ever staring at a blank journal page, these come in handy. Questions are divided into six different categories: Life. Self. Education. World. Relationships. And my favorite, Random. With prompts like “What in the world keeps you up at night?”, you will definitely find something that suits you.

Books

Which books? Prompt books to be exact. Here are a few of my favorites.

  • A Year of Writing Dangerously by Barbara Abercrombie
  • Writing is My Drink by Theo Pauline Nestor (LOVE HER!)
  • 642 Tiny Things to Write About
  • 300 Writing Prompts

With these handy books, I have over 1,000 ways to fight writer’s block.

Magazines

There are the typical writing magazines that I’m sure we writers all have buried in a pile that we can’t bear to throw away. Writer’s Digest. Poets & Writers. The Writer. No? Just me? Oh, okay. But, here’s another one you may not have thought of – O Magazine has mindful prompts all over her publication. Just check out the 3 pages of people who work on her publication. She always poses a question and the answers are entertaining. It makes me want to come up with an answer that no one else would think to write.

Children

If you have children or grandchildren, they are guaranteed to provide hours of material for your blog, book or stand up comedy routine. The only caveat is that once they learn to read and their friends follow you on Facebook, you must ask their permission. I speak from experience. The family drama that will surely ensue is not worth the likes.

Life in General

Look around. A conversation with a stranger or special moments you don’t want to ever forget are all writing prompts. Put down your phone and open your eyes to the world around you. You will be glad you did.

 

 

 

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