You're Gonna Make it After All!

Dear Self:

Congratulations! You survived 2020!

Now it's a new year. A new beginning. There are no excuses - none! - for not making 2021 the best year of your life so far. It's all up to you. You are the only one standing in your way. You have the intelligence, talent, and confidence to make your dreams reality. You can be among the best. There is a seat at the table for you. Walk up and take it!

Life is short, you're capable. - Gwen Stefani

Your thoughts and words have a lot of value. Use your voice. People do want to hear what you have to say. Grab that metaphorical megaphone, and speak up!

You are capable of anything you want to do. But you have to try. Being stuck at home is not an excuse to binge on entertainment and snacks all day every day. Breaks and vacations are great, but they lose their luster when they become a rut that you get stuck in. Don't trap yourself in a Groundhog Day-like time warp.

Stay focused. Even when current events are riveting. Even when your kitties walk on your keyboard and get in your face, demanding attention. As hard as it is to tear yourself away from Twitter or say no to adorable feline faces, you can't let such things hold you back. Set aside time in your daily schedule for who and what is important to you.

Your schedule should also include time for daily workouts. Exercise is essential. Stick to a healthy diet. Enjoy sweets in moderation. Your sweet tooth does not rule over you. Get the sleep you need, but don't sleep too much. Rise when there's still plenty of morning left, and know when to stop for the day. Stop running on fumes and being too worn out to do anything but crash. A healthy body will provide the energy required to be productive.

Strive for self-discipline. Enlist friends to keep you accountable. Connect with other writers. Don't shy away from any opportunities. Don't be afraid to seek your desires. You don't get what you don't go after. You do have what it takes!

This is not to say that there won't be failures and disappointments. Of course there will be. There will always be. Don't let that stop you. Even the best writers still receive plenty of rejections. Yet they press on. Nothing worth having comes easy.

I'm not afraid to fall

It means I climbed up high

To fall is not to fail

You fail when you don't try

I'm not afraid to fall

I might just learn to fly

And I will spread these wings of mine

So go ahead and pitch your ideas to top publications. The worst they can say is no. Shake it off and try again. Self-publish some essays and short stories. Write the script that's been rattling around in your head. It's not doing anyone any good stuck inside your skull, is it?

Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm. - Winston Churchill

Don't let stress defeat you. Don't get overwhelmed when it seems that there's too much to do in too little time. When you come to forks in the road, don't be paralyzed by indecision. Stop and take a deep breath when necessary. Your chaotic surroundings will slow down, and you'll be able to calmly and clearly make good decisions. When you make a mistake, don't dwell on it. Forgive yourself, and move on.

Rejoice in every victory and learn from every setback. Sometimes you might not start well, but that doesn't mean you can't finish well. Don't let anything dampen your enthusiasm. Don't give any power to bad feelings. They are nothing. Whenever your hard work is recognized, hold on to that feeling. There is no greater ecstasy!

It can be you!

The past year has reminded us all that life is short and that there is no time to waste on things that don't matter. Remember these lyrics from another one of your favorite songs:

Don't lose the dreams inside your head

They'll only be there til you're dead

Dream

There might be a long road ahead, but you know you're on the right path. This is where you belong. This is where you were always meant to be. Keep walking. Don't waste time looking back. You're not going that way. Progress only moves forward.

Don't you dare get lazy. Or take anything for granted. Those toxic habits will keep you from your potential. Heed the words of your favorite president:

Don't forget to enjoy the journey. Every great story is great from beginning to end. This year can be one of the greatest stories of your life, but only if you make the effort. So get off your butt every day and put in the work. It will pay off sooner or later. Remember that patience and persistence are virtues.

Perhaps you will also find romance this year. But if you do, it won't be because you're the woman of his dreams. It will be because you're the woman of your dreams.

You will get the life and career you want. And once you do, never look back.