Yay for goals and writing retreats! I'm heading out as we speak to my retreat, and I hope when I return, the book is done and ready for preorder. Please send all of your good writing vibes my way, and let me know your goals for the rest of 2024 in the comments!
Thank you for this! You always inspire me to keep going on my own journey❣ Thank you for always being so transparent and authentic. You are the best & I am sending you & yours all the good vibes! You totally got this💖💖💖
I strongly believe that we can do more than one path. There used to be a time this was the norm - the term "renaissance man" comes to mine. I don't see why women can't adopt this philosophy and do all the things.
❤ I have never in all the years I have watched youtube ever written a comment (not sure why). I guess I have never had anything worth while to comment. But I really want you to know Sarra from the bottom of my heart that you need to know that your channel that I found some time ago has transformed my life, you reignited a passion for writing I thought was lost. Your videos motivate me, inspire me, educate me and remind me that I am not alone. Everything you say and set out to do on your channel, you do achieve! I am proof of that. Each of your courses I have taken have supported me throughout this journey and I know someday soon I will be ready to publish my first book (my husband reminds me not if but when) and your channel proves to me that it is possible. So when you get down on yourself or people comment hurtful things without thinking it through, just know that there is a mom, a wife and a girl who has always had a big dream and you are helping her make it into her reality. Thank you! I know that if anyone can find balance and accomplish what she sets her mind to, I know that someone will be you!
Wow! You have saved up all your 'comment giving' energy and made it into a superpower. This was a wonderful comment for Sarra. So heartfelt and it gave me joy also just to read it! I know we'll be reading your book someday!
My husband goes away on a charity trip every year for two weeks, and leaves me to do 100% of the work here at home. I’m a working mom with little support, and I take in his mother during this time too because her husband also goes on this same fundraising trip. It’s important work, I’d never begrudge him for doing it, but it does make my life harder. My husband always offers me a week away on a solo trip in return. Just me and my laptop, setting my own routine, completing my work and writing my next book. While it sounds amazing, in 10 years I’ve never said yes because I didn’t like the idea of being ‘paid back’ for doing my ‘job’ as a mom and wife. But this time around, I’m exhausted and am seriously considering it.
@@demiblaize “paid back” is unfortunate phrasing. Don’t push away an opportunity to focus on you. There’s nothing wrong with “me” time. It’s good for your soul and makes you more affective in all aspects of your life.
@@a.s.fenichel3515 yes it is terrible phrasing, I agree lol but it is honestly how I feel when he asks. And it’s awful, but I don’t feel I deserve that time off. I know it’s because it’s been ingrained into women that every spare minute must be spent on the family or you’re being selfish, but self care is such a recent phenomenon for me and I’m still grappling with the guilt it brings. But this year, I might just force myself to take that time.
Maybe rephrase it a bit… You give him the gift of your time so he can do something he values. Allow him to give you the gift of his time so you can do the same☺️
As an autistic and ADHD writer, who is also a member of both HB90 and Plublish & Thrive, I am SOOO excited to hear about the upcoming accommodations! I feel so seen I am almost in tears! ❤❤❤ Thank you, from the bottom of my AuDHD heart!
Honestly, I would just love weekly Nano vlogs, or even just one big one at the end. I’ve followed you since 2019 and I’d love to see you really have time to enjoy your writing time in November.
📖 To be perfectly frank, this has been one of the BEST of your videos for me. Perhaps it’s timing, but what deeply hits for me are: (1) how graciously you are accepting that criticism exists but also just letting it lie on the side of the road as you keep on taking the actions that will spell success for you (at the right time), and (2) how you don’t let that dampen your goals, your enthusiasm, and your confidence that you are capable of doing all the doings you want to do. I have complete faith that your persistence will uncover for you the right formula for success as you want it. And by doing this you show us that we can keep striving for our own formula that works for us. Excellent video! I’m cheering you on!!
I did a double take when you said you're turning 48 next year. I thought you were in your 30's ❤ You're right not to overload your schedule if it's putting you at risk of burnout. Looking after yourself is important, and your true fans want that more than anything! Best of luck finishing VS, but don't rush the final steps if you need more time 📖
I've struggled with that question of "do I have to choose between writing and youtube" also! And I agree with you, I don't think it HAS to be one or the other... But for me I've been contemplating some ways I could balance it better so the creativity isn't getting funneled too much to one or the other lol. Right now I'm trying videos about writing, but finding it still takes a lot of time. Considering getting a video editor is also an obvious one that could help a lot but scares me haha... My favorite idea that I hope to implement more over time is to do "seasons" - where I might batch some videos one month and get ahead, so that the next month can be solely for writing, and then the following month while the book is with betas would be solely for videos, etc... All that to say, I'd love to hear more about your experience as you work through this and find some things to try too! :D
📚📚Great idea to take a solo writing retreat. I'm taking one also next year as a celebration for finishing my FIRST book. Hmmm... I'm STILL writing my book and my solo retreat (a cruise!!) is supposed to be in February! Yikes! I'm supposed to be starting the second book on the cruise and I haven't even finished the first one. Good grief. It's depressing but inspiring at the same time. Wish ME luck!! You're such an inspiration and I appreciate you very much for all of the work you do. Get back to enjoying the writing. I've found that trying to get the "business" stuff done has taken away from my writing (so I understand what you mean). It's so hard to balance everything but in the grand scheme of things, you're in this because of the WRITING. THAT MUST TAKE PRIORITY!!! PERIOD!
📚 One of my goals this year was to finally get my first tattoo, and I did that yesterday. I have to admit, your feather tattoo and the way it flows over your arm inspired the placement of the book and dragons I just got. I just wanted to share that. You never knows the ways in which you inspire people. 😊
Anytime someone tells me that I can't do all the things I want to do, I'm even more determined to do all the things. You are a great planner and scheduler. You can do both things and do them well. As long as you don't give up, you never fail.
Hearing and seeing you be so upbeat and excited is so inspiring. Can’t wait for all the wonderful things you are thinking about doing and working on. It gives me energy and motivation to kick into gear the things that I want to do that I have been struggling with.
I've always heard the saying that you can reach all your goals, but rarely all at the same time. The fact about multitasking is that it involves so much task shifting that it takes more time to come up to speed with each shift and often decreases the quality of the work since it is so difficult to do deep work if you have to shift tasks frequently. I, too, am one of those people who has a lot of big goals. I am experimenting with just how I need to block out my time most effectively to achieve all of them. It won't be all at once, but it will be within an identified season.
❤ Totally can relate to this. I have been told by well-meaning people in my life that writing, working full time, taking care of family can't happen all at once and that I should give up the dream of writing. Can't give up the dream!
I love and appreciate your honesty and enthusiasm with your goals. Putting your goals out there online again and again, takes GUTS especially with all the naysayers. I love all of your videos, but your goals videos are some of my favorites. They always get me contemplating on my own and as an ambitious person, this is a phenomenal gift. Keep shining bright. I know you’ll come up with some awesome solutions for your end of the year conundrum. ❤
Sarra, I never comment on videos but I just want to say i’ve been watching you for a few years now and i absolutely love how ambitious you are! It is so motivating to see someone else so unapologetically ambitious! I don’t think you should ever have to apologize for being human and not always being able to hit your goals. No one knows your life better than you so don’t let the haters bring you down! You are a rock star and truly an inspiration! I hear other youtubers reference you and your channel often! You are killing it! I hope you know how great you are and keep rocking it! I hope you are able to find your balance and fulfill all your life dreams!
Considering how much I loved the experience of The Witch's Key, I am so glad to hear that you've decided to do it here on UA-cam with membership. Sounds like you have broken through to a new level. It's beautiful to watch & thank you for sharing your journey. Take care of yourself & your family. And never belittle yourself for taking too long to write another book. You have negotiated your life amazingly, going even for some time without having a proper home, and traveling as much as it is exciting, is possibly not the best time to write books that take you to a different place & space. Happy rooting down in your home and have fun 😊💗🖋
I want to do a writing retreat so bad, but am finishing up grad school with the hopes of finding a new job. After that is done (May 2025) I plan to put my non-working hours into writing. I also hope to start joining the HB writing sprints and gather a group of like-minded people around me...virtually, at least. Best wishes and good luck on finishing the story! I am sure it will be amazing! 🍒
📕Don’t listen to the people who criticize you for not completing some of your goals. I’ve only been watching your videos for the past 6 months and I am so inspired by how much you get done and all the goals you complete! Every goal you complete is such a win in life and we need to celebrate every day. There are too many bad things that we experience. We have to focus on the good. I love that you share too much. It encourages me to try in my own life!
Re: the hb90 printed version, please consider doing an undated version so I can purchase 4 of them at once. Totally your call, but as a single data point for your marketing , I separate out the planning and daily pages into 2 different planners, so possibly sell them separately as well as packaged together.
📚 I skipped a few parts but I did stick to it to the end. I too am honing down my excess parts - I've always said I have multiple personalities and I'm only partly kidding. I'm really zeroing in on why, and what is the real, unafraid part that is ME. Out goes a lot of time and physical space guzzling material. What a relief. My counselor of several years ago, suggested I alternate with some of my passions. I don't know if I can do that, I'm looking over the potential right now. I'm going to redo my goals. Quarterly doesn't work for me. I need one for monthly and one for seasonally. I'm thinning out my UA-cam follows and everything in my home and in my life. Your channel is on my Compulsory Staying list! Sending writing vibes for your retreat. 💜
Oh my gosh, yes, 7 years seems to be a thing! 😂 In 2017 I finished my studies, recovered from burnout and depression, moved in with my boyfriend (who is now my husband ❤) and started my first full-time job. All in 1 year 🤯 And now I'm launching my writing career!
📖 Thanks for sharing your goals Sarra! I actually love that you share things with us that might not happen because that happens to me all the time. I set deadlines or talk about projects I plan to do and then something comes up or it takes longer than I think and then I don't meet my goals and always feel like its just me that falls behind. So it's been kind of cool to watch a successful indie author and UA-camr have the same issues as me! It gives me hope I'll get there one day too! :) Thanks for all you do!
Hearing your goals, and how you’re shifting to make them more sustainable is so inspiring! Listening to your video I hear so much excitement in your voice ❤ you sharing this video is an authentic moment of how to call in your goals, and also making space for the Universe and God to co-create. So excited for you Sarra 🎊 🎉🍒🌻
📚Keep doing what you love to do, and just do your best. I always enjoy your videos and your chats. Good luck with finishing your book. Fingers crossed!!!🤞🤞🤞
It has been amazing to watch you grow. Again, thank you for your support and encouragement! My goal for the last of this year is...... To complete book three of my trilogy and to then spend my time between promoting my books and also working on some short stories and plotting out a whole new quest! You rock Sarra!! 🖋️📖❤
I love the idea of starting in September to think about preparing for October and then Nano! You are so right if you start in October, it's usually too late
📚 Sarra, you are a dynamo! I’m so inspired by all you have created and accomplished and shared and I am here for it all! ❤️ I’ve got a lot of goals and I’m gaining ground in various ways but I’m keeping mine mostly quiet and close to the vest right now to keep myself sane and moving forward. I’m also having some poignant epiphanies about things that have held me back and how to rise above them, yay! 😁 So much love and luck to you along this next part of the journey! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
You didn’t ask for this advice, but I just wanted to share that I don’t think you should date the HB90 Planner if you released a printed version. Let the consumers date their own. Either way, I’ll continue to support.
I believe in you, and know you'll get it all to work. Look how far you've come so far! Even though it's taken you longer than you'd hoped, you've been able to run two businesses, be a mom and a wife, and written a book of 100,000 words! It will be done when it's done. Try not to be so hard on yourself. We love and support you!
I have a full time massage business, part time writer and I teach piano lessons. I understand multiple passions. I've seen you excel at what you do and it encourages me. I try to celebrate the small wins.
Sarra, you are too hard on yourself. You do so much and give more. Ignore the naysayers. I knew you would figure it out. I believe in you! Michael Connolly publishes some books in one year and some in two years. It takes what it takes!
📚 I actually watched yesterday. Didn't have time to comment until now and I'm glad I waited. I mentioned on your Instagram reel that I'm excited to work on my novel this fall...and then I did my full moon tarot reading earlier. The cards signified releasing self-doubt and the transformation card...invitation to step fully into my ambition, and my confidence and self-worthiness are emerging. Time to manifest my dreams into reality and shine. Pretty exciting! Just wanted to say that I'm excited for you and your journey, and I'm glad you're going to slow down a bit to focus on your passion. Right now you are on your writing retreat. I hope it's going well. 💜
✍️📖Hearing your goals, and how you’re shifting to make them more sustainable is so inspiring! Listening to your video I hear so much excitement in your voice ❤ you sharing this video is an authentic moment of how to call in your goals, and also making space for the Universe and God to co-create. I love the syllabus idea!! So excited for you Sarra 🎊 🎉🍒🌻
I love all the excitement in this video, and you deserve everything you dream of! I bought 2 of those index card notebook/binders when you first bought them and showed them off in a video. I now have one for every single novel I've written, complete with multiple drafts of my scene cards. Thanks for the recommendation, I love them so much! The rest of this year I'm working on finishing the rough draft of my WIP, plotting and drafting another novel for NaNoWriMo, and repainting my home office before November so I have my dream writing haven! 📚
📚 I'm in such a similar boat...I have my jewelry shop, which is my full time income generator, 2 school-aged kids, a very high maintenance dog (I love her, so it's worth it), and all the other day to day responsibilities but I still keep chipping away at my writing projects. I've been working on my NaNo project from 23' but always get stuck in revisions (this is my 8th completed full length novel and not one of them has made it through the revisions stage of the process). I wish you loads of luck on your writing retreat!
I'm looking forward to all the fall fun and TDOVS whenever you feel it's ready to be released. My goal is to release my holiday children's books that I've been working on and to continue to grow my UA-cam community. You've been such an inspiration in both my writing and starting my channel. 📚
I've always been in awe of how much you do, over such a wide assortment of things. You don't owe anybody anything, so do you as it serves you and your family.
📖This was such a great video. Glad to see your goals and how excited you are for them. I'm thinking about my goals for the rest of this year and this video inspires me so much and gives me permission to dream bigger and in alignment with my own dreams. Thanks for sharing!
📖 📚 📖 I'm so glad you're giving Vanessa Shaw your best effort instead of rushing it due to your previous time estimates. You're not a quitter, and I appreciate your example of pivoting and readjusting goals regardless of critics.❤
Yes to starting your preptober in September!!! I’m always watching old videos in September or feel like I’m playing catchup in October. And yes, I hate printing my own things and would consider buying a printed version. I do prefer non-dated but I understand.
So happy for what you have achieved! I'm just beginning to start my story projects after a long hiatus. I feel motivated when I watch your videos, guess seeing other creators is good for inspiration haha!
Hi! Love everything you do Sarra! I’m a member of a life coach community that has a quarterly planner. I don’t personally use it but recently it was set up as a subscription and a lot of the coaches love this option. It arrives on time and they don’t have to remember to order it. Only 1 size is offered and I’ve never seen anyone complain about that.
Loved your goals for the rest of the year. I always love taking a peek inside other authors' minds to see how and why they're doing and then taking note for myself, ha! Either way, good luck :)
Lets Goooo!!! You got this. One trick I heard from mystery and thriller writers is to write the book backwards or I guess you could read your outline backwards and see if everything lines up the way you wanted it. Congrats on all your sucess and hardwork. Sending good vibes and write like a rockstar!!!!
📖📕📚🔖📑 Like you, I start with high goals, then life drainers show up and I let them have power over me. It's taking me 3 to 4 years to finish the book I'm working on even though I know all the parts, sometimes they change on me, or I realize I forgot some information that the reader would need. So, all that to say you are an encouragement to me as a writer and Thank-you!!!!!!!
Sarra-thank you for always sharing awesome content. My plans for the rest of 24 have switched so that I can focus on getting healthy. Once I get my health aligned I’m planning to hit the ground running in 25. Best of luck with the writing retreat.
📖 🖊️! Great video! You’re always inspiring! Trying to take my writing more seriously this quarter and showing up for it consistently. Your support has been invaluable. Good luck with all your plans this quarter. If you get even a fraction of that done, it’ll be amazing! And most importantly, mind yourself. 🌸
📚📓 I loved this video. Lots of great excitement and energy. I'm looking forward to see how the last quarter works for you. Also excited for the September Preptober content. I'm in a season of wanting to figure out my next moves, and writing is one of the options I am considering.
You are doing amazing! You are doing what YOU need to do for yourself and that is ALL that matters. A personal writing retreat is a great idea. I go to one 2 times a year south of Charlottesville VA where the time and space is yours to do what you want. Best time of my year sometimes. Good luck and may you do what works for you. :)
💝✍📕📖📗📘 I think I'm at the point where I do have to give up some of the things I want to do. Or at least organize them into a priority list. I've spent the last 2 years being overwhelmed and I just want peace. I just turned 60 today so I think that has something to do with my decision to scale back my wants. I was going to retire this year but now I'm going to wait probably until 2026 and after that, I'll have a look at that priority list. For now, top on the list is finishing my novel. Then starting the second one. I was afraid I only had one idea for a book, but now I have 4 more! I hope you enjoy your retreat Sarra! You go girl!
I think this is maybe my favorite video you have EVER done (and I watch a lot of them). Thanks for keeping things real. I've been feeling so overwhelmed lately. I just signed up for this latest round of Publish and Thrive and it's been so helpful. But I've just recently decided that I need to homeschool my son (he has a speech disability and public school has not been working well for the past four years). So, that's a loss of 24 hours/week where I can't work on my books. And don't even get me started on my books. I have my first draft of the first one done. I have the first act of the second one done. I have vague ideas for the third and fourth. But I feel like a headless chicken. "Research editors, research cover artists, watch all the videos, study craft so your prose doesn't suck." Great, now I'm crying. I know your UA-cams and courses have taken a toll on you. But please know, I am so, SO thankful that you put the effort you did into them. They are my lifesaver right now. ~A fan who also wants to do all the things and is determined to do them, even if it means hiring other people when I need to. (You know, no one bats an eye when Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos and Mark Cuban do all the things. So why do they tell women that "you're doing too much"? Those men have built entire teams to take so much work off the billionaires' plates. Women! Do all the things that make your crazy little ADHD heart happy! Hire your people!)
Thank you for being open about your struggles. I'm just getting started on my journey, and sometimes it feels like I've already screwed up. I kept promising my newsletter subscribers that my book was about to come out, but then I got some feedback that required me to rewrite the book. I definitely lost some subscribers for that, some who had been messaging me directly. I'm still in the middle of rewrites. But I did just get the rights back to a novella, so I had it copyedited and now I'm getting a cover for it so I can publish it on its own. That little win will tide me over until I get my novel done.📚🖋
📔 Inspirational as always! Really needing to hear your thoughts on plans going forward, I've been so "adrift" this entire year but just now starting to feel like I can make plans again. Thanks for all you do, and good luck this week with TDOVS! 💗
I always love to see your process! The good, the bad and not today satan 😅 this is inspiraational and makes me believe that my dream to write is valid and I can do it with 2 school kids and a full time job. Slowly but surely! I think your book will be done next week and that it will be delicious 👌 The multiple passion of yours bring into my mind a classic: Barbara Sher's Refuse to Choose. I warmly recommend it to anyone feeling overwhelmed by multiple interests. The book is fun, on point and has greatly helped me to celebrate my many interests instead of feeling frustrated.
My fall goals are writting busy life book and a few other books and outlining my charters and more. I also want to exercise and drink water. Plus shopping a little.
My goal for the end of the year is to finish the third draft of my thriller novel. You’ve been such an inspiration to me 💪 I can’t wait to read TDOVS 💜🖤📕
I feel so much of what you're saying with balance. I do cover design on the side and I've had to get really honest with myself about time management and how I thrive the best. Its a continual process of growth.
I'm so excited for you, Sarra!! Your future is bright. Thank you for creating this channel. You have helped me o much, and I'm so happy that you have found a way to keep your Heart Breathings going. I am editing my trilogy for the rest of the year on my end. 👩🏫
Great video - you go girl! I hope you crush your goals. My fall goals are completing an outline for my next book and cleaning out my house. Love the idea of hiring an organizer for the house, I'm going to look into this for my household. Project 48 is inspiring me to do my own similar project to help with my personal goal of overall health and wellbeing. I have ADHD and have struggled with HB90 planning, so I'm looking forward to seeing how other people with ADHD use HB90.
📚 your videos are so inspirational, Sarra. I hope this shift in your life leads you down a path of creativity, balance and good fortune. Sending you all the best vibes!
Sending all the good editing vibes your way Sarra!! I’m excited to read TDOVS❤. I didn’t see the link to your index card binder/holder and could use for my WIP notes 🙏
📚 This all is very exciting, and also encouraging as I go through my own season of transition and trying to figure out how to prioritize writing in the middle of it all.❤
one of my goals for this year was to sign up for publish&thrive, which i did now!!! and im loving it✨ also, im finishing up my masters, and when that is done in september, the rest of the year will just very much be cherry on top energy 😃
Yay for goals and writing retreats! I'm heading out as we speak to my retreat, and I hope when I return, the book is done and ready for preorder. Please send all of your good writing vibes my way, and let me know your goals for the rest of 2024 in the comments!
I'm looking for the Amazon link to that cardholder for your 3x5 index cards. Did you forget or just couldn't find it? Thanks.
Sending all the vibes!!
Sending positive writing vibes. Good luck with your goals. [Book emoji]
Thank you for this! You always inspire me to keep going on my own journey❣ Thank you for always being so transparent and authentic. You are the best & I am sending you & yours all the good vibes! You totally got this💖💖💖
I strongly believe that we can do more than one path. There used to be a time this was the norm - the term "renaissance man" comes to mine. I don't see why women can't adopt this philosophy and do all the things.
The fact that even one person, has chased their dreams, and accomplished them, is literally proof that anyone else can.
💯🙌
❤ I have never in all the years I have watched youtube ever written a comment (not sure why). I guess I have never had anything worth while to comment. But I really want you to know Sarra from the bottom of my heart that you need to know that your channel that I found some time ago has transformed my life, you reignited a passion for writing I thought was lost. Your videos motivate me, inspire me, educate me and remind me that I am not alone. Everything you say and set out to do on your channel, you do achieve! I am proof of that. Each of your courses I have taken have supported me throughout this journey and I know someday soon I will be ready to publish my first book (my husband reminds me not if but when) and your channel proves to me that it is possible. So when you get down on yourself or people comment hurtful things without thinking it through, just know that there is a mom, a wife and a girl who has always had a big dream and you are helping her make it into her reality. Thank you! I know that if anyone can find balance and accomplish what she sets her mind to, I know that someone will be you!
Wow! You have saved up all your 'comment giving' energy and made it into a superpower. This was a wonderful comment for Sarra. So heartfelt and it gave me joy also just to read it! I know we'll be reading your book someday!
I feel the exact same way.
My husband goes away on a charity trip every year for two weeks, and leaves me to do 100% of the work here at home. I’m a working mom with little support, and I take in his mother during this time too because her husband also goes on this same fundraising trip. It’s important work, I’d never begrudge him for doing it, but it does make my life harder. My husband always offers me a week away on a solo trip in return. Just me and my laptop, setting my own routine, completing my work and writing my next book. While it sounds amazing, in 10 years I’ve never said yes because I didn’t like the idea of being ‘paid back’ for doing my ‘job’ as a mom and wife. But this time around, I’m exhausted and am seriously considering it.
@@demiblaize “paid back” is unfortunate phrasing. Don’t push away an opportunity to focus on you. There’s nothing wrong with “me” time. It’s good for your soul and makes you more affective in all aspects of your life.
@@a.s.fenichel3515 yes it is terrible phrasing, I agree lol but it is honestly how I feel when he asks. And it’s awful, but I don’t feel I deserve that time off. I know it’s because it’s been ingrained into women that every spare minute must be spent on the family or you’re being selfish, but self care is such a recent phenomenon for me and I’m still grappling with the guilt it brings.
But this year, I might just force myself to take that time.
Maybe rephrase it a bit… You give him the gift of your time so he can do something he values. Allow him to give you the gift of his time so you can do the same☺️
@@gwenjks-1272 I like the way you've put this. Taking time for myself is something I still struggle with, but I know you're right
As an autistic and ADHD writer, who is also a member of both HB90 and Plublish & Thrive, I am SOOO excited to hear about the upcoming accommodations! I feel so seen I am almost in tears! ❤❤❤ Thank you, from the bottom of my AuDHD heart!
I’m in the same boat.
Ditto!!!
Honestly, I would just love weekly Nano vlogs, or even just one big one at the end. I’ve followed you since 2019 and I’d love to see you really have time to enjoy your writing time in November.
📖 To be perfectly frank, this has been one of the BEST of your videos for me. Perhaps it’s timing, but what deeply hits for me are:
(1) how graciously you are accepting that criticism exists but also just letting it lie on the side of the road as you keep on taking the actions that will spell success for you (at the right time), and
(2) how you don’t let that dampen your goals, your enthusiasm, and your confidence that you are capable of doing all the doings you want to do.
I have complete faith that your persistence will uncover for you the right formula for success as you want it. And by doing this you show us that we can keep striving for our own formula that works for us. Excellent video! I’m cheering you on!!
I love how you are rethinking your plan to content to better honor your health and energy
I did a double take when you said you're turning 48 next year. I thought you were in your 30's ❤ You're right not to overload your schedule if it's putting you at risk of burnout. Looking after yourself is important, and your true fans want that more than anything! Best of luck finishing VS, but don't rush the final steps if you need more time 📖
I've struggled with that question of "do I have to choose between writing and youtube" also! And I agree with you, I don't think it HAS to be one or the other... But for me I've been contemplating some ways I could balance it better so the creativity isn't getting funneled too much to one or the other lol. Right now I'm trying videos about writing, but finding it still takes a lot of time. Considering getting a video editor is also an obvious one that could help a lot but scares me haha... My favorite idea that I hope to implement more over time is to do "seasons" - where I might batch some videos one month and get ahead, so that the next month can be solely for writing, and then the following month while the book is with betas would be solely for videos, etc... All that to say, I'd love to hear more about your experience as you work through this and find some things to try too! :D
I just wanted to say that I love your channel as much as Sarra's, and I love seeing you here, commiserating and supportive. ❤
📚📚Great idea to take a solo writing retreat. I'm taking one also next year as a celebration for finishing my FIRST book. Hmmm... I'm STILL writing my book and my solo retreat (a cruise!!) is supposed to be in February! Yikes! I'm supposed to be starting the second book on the cruise and I haven't even finished the first one. Good grief. It's depressing but inspiring at the same time. Wish ME luck!!
You're such an inspiration and I appreciate you very much for all of the work you do. Get back to enjoying the writing. I've found that trying to get the "business" stuff done has taken away from my writing (so I understand what you mean). It's so hard to balance everything but in the grand scheme of things, you're in this because of the WRITING. THAT MUST TAKE PRIORITY!!! PERIOD!
📚 One of my goals this year was to finally get my first tattoo, and I did that yesterday. I have to admit, your feather tattoo and the way it flows over your arm inspired the placement of the book and dragons I just got.
I just wanted to share that. You never knows the ways in which you inspire people. 😊
Oh that's amazing! I'd love to see a picture!
Anytime someone tells me that I can't do all the things I want to do, I'm even more determined to do all the things. You are a great planner and scheduler. You can do both things and do them well. As long as you don't give up, you never fail.
Hearing and seeing you be so upbeat and excited is so inspiring. Can’t wait for all the wonderful things you are thinking about doing and working on. It gives me energy and motivation to kick into gear the things that I want to do that I have been struggling with.
📚go girl❣️ don’t let the bastards get you down-you keep flying higher than them
Just keep doing the best you can. I believe your true fans will be patient. They will be very excited and supportive when you do publish again.
I've always heard the saying that you can reach all your goals, but rarely all at the same time. The fact about multitasking is that it involves so much task shifting that it takes more time to come up to speed with each shift and often decreases the quality of the work since it is so difficult to do deep work if you have to shift tasks frequently. I, too, am one of those people who has a lot of big goals. I am experimenting with just how I need to block out my time most effectively to achieve all of them. It won't be all at once, but it will be within an identified season.
❤ Totally can relate to this. I have been told by well-meaning people in my life that writing, working full time, taking care of family can't happen all at once and that I should give up the dream of writing. Can't give up the dream!
I love and appreciate your honesty and enthusiasm with your goals. Putting your goals out there online again and again, takes GUTS especially with all the naysayers. I love all of your videos, but your goals videos are some of my favorites. They always get me contemplating on my own and as an ambitious person, this is a phenomenal gift. Keep shining bright. I know you’ll come up with some awesome solutions for your end of the year conundrum. ❤
I love the idea of starting nano prep in September!
Sarra, I never comment on videos but I just want to say i’ve been watching you for a few years now and i absolutely love how ambitious you are! It is so motivating to see someone else so unapologetically ambitious! I don’t think you should ever have to apologize for being human and not always being able to hit your goals. No one knows your life better than you so don’t let the haters bring you down! You are a rock star and truly an inspiration! I hear other youtubers reference you and your channel often! You are killing it! I hope you know how great you are and keep rocking it! I hope you are able to find your balance and fulfill all your life dreams!
Considering how much I loved the experience of The Witch's Key, I am so glad to hear that you've decided to do it here on UA-cam with membership. Sounds like you have broken through to a new level. It's beautiful to watch & thank you for sharing your journey. Take care of yourself & your family. And never belittle yourself for taking too long to write another book. You have negotiated your life amazingly, going even for some time without having a proper home, and traveling as much as it is exciting, is possibly not the best time to write books that take you to a different place & space. Happy rooting down in your home and have fun 😊💗🖋
I want to do a writing retreat so bad, but am finishing up grad school with the hopes of finding a new job. After that is done (May 2025) I plan to put my non-working hours into writing. I also hope to start joining the HB writing sprints and gather a group of like-minded people around me...virtually, at least. Best wishes and good luck on finishing the story! I am sure it will be amazing! 🍒
📕Don’t listen to the people who criticize you for not completing some of your goals. I’ve only been watching your videos for the past 6 months and I am so inspired by how much you get done and all the goals you complete! Every goal you complete is such a win in life and we need to celebrate every day. There are too many bad things that we experience. We have to focus on the good. I love that you share too much. It encourages me to try in my own life!
Re: the hb90 printed version, please consider doing an undated version so I can purchase 4 of them at once. Totally your call, but as a single data point for your marketing , I separate out the planning and daily pages into 2 different planners, so possibly sell them separately as well as packaged together.
📖These updates are so inspiring! This make me want to up my game.
📚 I skipped a few parts but I did stick to it to the end. I too am honing down my excess parts - I've always said I have multiple personalities and I'm only partly kidding. I'm really zeroing in on why, and what is the real, unafraid part that is ME. Out goes a lot of time and physical space guzzling material. What a relief. My counselor of several years ago, suggested I alternate with some of my passions. I don't know if I can do that, I'm looking over the potential right now. I'm going to redo my goals. Quarterly doesn't work for me. I need one for monthly and one for seasonally. I'm thinning out my UA-cam follows and everything in my home and in my life. Your channel is on my Compulsory Staying list! Sending writing vibes for your retreat. 💜
Oh my gosh, yes, 7 years seems to be a thing! 😂
In 2017 I finished my studies, recovered from burnout and depression, moved in with my boyfriend (who is now my husband ❤) and started my first full-time job. All in 1 year 🤯
And now I'm launching my writing career!
Hope your retreat goes well. One of the reasons I enjoy your channel so much is your transparency. Very encouraging.
I can’t wait for TDOVS!!! It’s gonna be so amazing. I’m cheering for you!!! 🎉🎉🎉
Thank you!!!
📖 Thanks for sharing your goals Sarra! I actually love that you share things with us that might not happen because that happens to me all the time. I set deadlines or talk about projects I plan to do and then something comes up or it takes longer than I think and then I don't meet my goals and always feel like its just me that falls behind. So it's been kind of cool to watch a successful indie author and UA-camr have the same issues as me! It gives me hope I'll get there one day too! :) Thanks for all you do!
Hearing your goals, and how you’re shifting to make them more sustainable is so inspiring! Listening to your video I hear so much excitement in your voice ❤ you sharing this video is an authentic moment of how to call in your goals, and also making space for the Universe and God to co-create. So excited for you Sarra 🎊 🎉🍒🌻
📚Keep doing what you love to do, and just do your best. I always enjoy your videos and your chats. Good luck with finishing your book. Fingers crossed!!!🤞🤞🤞
I’ve definitely felt like redoing my goals this month and starting fresh. Something about the kids going back to school.
It has been amazing to watch you grow.
Again, thank you for your support and encouragement!
My goal for the last of this year is......
To complete book three of my trilogy and to then spend my time between promoting my books and also working on some short stories and plotting out a whole new quest!
You rock Sarra!! 🖋️📖❤
I love the idea of starting in September to think about preparing for October and then Nano! You are so right if you start in October, it's usually too late
📚 Sarra, you are a dynamo! I’m so inspired by all you have created and accomplished and shared and I am here for it all! ❤️ I’ve got a lot of goals and I’m gaining ground in various ways but I’m keeping mine mostly quiet and close to the vest right now to keep myself sane and moving forward. I’m also having some poignant epiphanies about things that have held me back and how to rise above them, yay! 😁 So much love and luck to you along this next part of the journey! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I am starting my own 'business' - UA-cam channel, planners, etc all do to with gardening, reading and writing. And you are part of the inspiration.
You didn’t ask for this advice, but I just wanted to share that I don’t think you should date the HB90 Planner if you released a printed version. Let the consumers date their own. Either way, I’ll continue to support.
❤ One of my goals is to narrow down which project I want to start with so that I do not become overwhelmed.
i just adore you as a human being. you bring me so much inspiration and joy. thats all. love you!
📚Appreciate the casual, open-hearted chat. Thank you, Sarra.
I believe in you, and know you'll get it all to work. Look how far you've come so far! Even though it's taken you longer than you'd hoped, you've been able to run two businesses, be a mom and a wife, and written a book of 100,000 words! It will be done when it's done. Try not to be so hard on yourself. We love and support you!
I have a full time massage business, part time writer and I teach piano lessons. I understand multiple passions. I've seen you excel at what you do and it encourages me. I try to celebrate the small wins.
Sarra, you are too hard on yourself. You do so much and give more. Ignore the naysayers. I knew you would figure it out. I believe in you! Michael Connolly publishes some books in one year and some in two years. It takes what it takes!
📚 I actually watched yesterday. Didn't have time to comment until now and I'm glad I waited. I mentioned on your Instagram reel that I'm excited to work on my novel this fall...and then I did my full moon tarot reading earlier. The cards signified releasing self-doubt and the transformation card...invitation to step fully into my ambition, and my confidence and self-worthiness are emerging. Time to manifest my dreams into reality and shine. Pretty exciting!
Just wanted to say that I'm excited for you and your journey, and I'm glad you're going to slow down a bit to focus on your passion. Right now you are on your writing retreat. I hope it's going well. 💜
✍️📖Hearing your goals, and how you’re shifting to make them more sustainable is so inspiring! Listening to your video I hear so much excitement in your voice ❤ you sharing this video is an authentic moment of how to call in your goals, and also making space for the Universe and God to co-create. I love the syllabus idea!! So excited for you Sarra 🎊 🎉🍒🌻
I love all the excitement in this video, and you deserve everything you dream of! I bought 2 of those index card notebook/binders when you first bought them and showed them off in a video. I now have one for every single novel I've written, complete with multiple drafts of my scene cards. Thanks for the recommendation, I love them so much! The rest of this year I'm working on finishing the rough draft of my WIP, plotting and drafting another novel for NaNoWriMo, and repainting my home office before November so I have my dream writing haven! 📚
📚 I'm in such a similar boat...I have my jewelry shop, which is my full time income generator, 2 school-aged kids, a very high maintenance dog (I love her, so it's worth it), and all the other day to day responsibilities but I still keep chipping away at my writing projects. I've been working on my NaNo project from 23' but always get stuck in revisions (this is my 8th completed full length novel and not one of them has made it through the revisions stage of the process). I wish you loads of luck on your writing retreat!
I'm looking forward to all the fall fun and TDOVS whenever you feel it's ready to be released. My goal is to release my holiday children's books that I've been working on and to continue to grow my UA-cam community. You've been such an inspiration in both my writing and starting my channel. 📚
📚I love the transformation that you’re on. It’s wonderful to see and so inspirational. Best wishes for TDOVS and all your endeavours 🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️📖📖📖
📚 I love this style of video from you!
I've always been in awe of how much you do, over such a wide assortment of things.
You don't owe anybody anything, so do you as it serves you and your family.
📖This was such a great video. Glad to see your goals and how excited you are for them. I'm thinking about my goals for the rest of this year and this video inspires me so much and gives me permission to dream bigger and in alignment with my own dreams. Thanks for sharing!
📖 so much inspiration! Thank you as as always. Hope the writing retreat is productive xx
📖 📚 📖 I'm so glad you're giving Vanessa Shaw your best effort instead of rushing it due to your previous time estimates. You're not a quitter, and I appreciate your example of pivoting and readjusting goals regardless of critics.❤
I am so glad you are bringing in help for your businesses. You give so much to your community. Thank you.
Yes to starting your preptober in September!!! I’m always watching old videos in September or feel like I’m playing catchup in October.
And yes, I hate printing my own things and would consider buying a printed version. I do prefer non-dated but I understand.
So happy for what you have achieved! I'm just beginning to start my story projects after a long hiatus. I feel motivated when I watch your videos, guess seeing other creators is good for inspiration haha!
📚 yay! I'm so excited you will have your membership on here!
I love the idea of prep October in September that is perfect. So excited ❤.
Hi! Love everything you do Sarra! I’m a member of a life coach community that has a quarterly planner. I don’t personally use it but recently it was set up as a subscription and a lot of the coaches love this option. It arrives on time and they don’t have to remember to order it. Only 1 size is offered and I’ve never seen anyone complain about that.
Loved your goals for the rest of the year. I always love taking a peek inside other authors' minds to see how and why they're doing and then taking note for myself, ha! Either way, good luck :)
Lets Goooo!!! You got this. One trick I heard from mystery and thriller writers is to write the book backwards or I guess you could read your outline backwards and see if everything lines up the way you wanted it. Congrats on all your sucess and hardwork. Sending good vibes and write like a rockstar!!!!
📚enjoyed this very much.
📖📕📚🔖📑 Like you, I start with high goals, then life drainers show up and I let them have power over me. It's taking me 3 to 4 years to finish the book I'm working on even though I know all the parts, sometimes they change on me, or I realize I forgot some information that the reader would need. So, all that to say you are an encouragement to me as a writer and Thank-you!!!!!!!
I just like how you call them life drainers. They really are.
📚I find your planning videos so inspiring. Thank you, as always, for the fabulous content!
📚 I have so many goals and I struggle with getting them all done and feeling satisfied. This is really grounding and inspirational. Thanks Sarra!
Sarra-thank you for always sharing awesome content. My plans for the rest of 24 have switched so that I can focus on getting healthy. Once I get my health aligned I’m planning to hit the ground running in 25. Best of luck with the writing retreat.
Can’t believe people criticise you. You’re amazing x
📖 🖊️! Great video! You’re always inspiring! Trying to take my writing more seriously this quarter and showing up for it consistently. Your support has been invaluable. Good luck with all your plans this quarter. If you get even a fraction of that done, it’ll be amazing! And most importantly, mind yourself. 🌸
OMG!, you are doing so much! I am cheering for you 🙂
I look forward to November every year for your Nano vlogs! Getting close now!
📚📓 I loved this video. Lots of great excitement and energy. I'm looking forward to see how the last quarter works for you. Also excited for the September Preptober content. I'm in a season of wanting to figure out my next moves, and writing is one of the options I am considering.
I can’t wait for the Audio books! It’s the only way I get through books! 📚
You are doing amazing! You are doing what YOU need to do for yourself and that is ALL that matters. A personal writing retreat is a great idea. I go to one 2 times a year south of Charlottesville VA where the time and space is yours to do what you want. Best time of my year sometimes. Good luck and may you do what works for you. :)
💝✍📕📖📗📘 I think I'm at the point where I do have to give up some of the things I want to do. Or at least organize them into a priority list. I've spent the last 2 years being overwhelmed and I just want peace. I just turned 60 today so I think that has something to do with my decision to scale back my wants. I was going to retire this year but now I'm going to wait probably until 2026 and after that, I'll have a look at that priority list. For now, top on the list is finishing my novel. Then starting the second one. I was afraid I only had one idea for a book, but now I have 4 more!
I hope you enjoy your retreat Sarra! You go girl!
Love this!! Looking forward to a coffee chat today!! 📘Revamping my schedule to work on writing and learning!
I think this is maybe my favorite video you have EVER done (and I watch a lot of them). Thanks for keeping things real. I've been feeling so overwhelmed lately. I just signed up for this latest round of Publish and Thrive and it's been so helpful. But I've just recently decided that I need to homeschool my son (he has a speech disability and public school has not been working well for the past four years). So, that's a loss of 24 hours/week where I can't work on my books. And don't even get me started on my books. I have my first draft of the first one done. I have the first act of the second one done. I have vague ideas for the third and fourth. But I feel like a headless chicken. "Research editors, research cover artists, watch all the videos, study craft so your prose doesn't suck."
Great, now I'm crying. I know your UA-cams and courses have taken a toll on you. But please know, I am so, SO thankful that you put the effort you did into them. They are my lifesaver right now.
~A fan who also wants to do all the things and is determined to do them, even if it means hiring other people when I need to. (You know, no one bats an eye when Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos and Mark Cuban do all the things. So why do they tell women that "you're doing too much"? Those men have built entire teams to take so much work off the billionaires' plates. Women! Do all the things that make your crazy little ADHD heart happy! Hire your people!)
Thank you for being open about your struggles. I'm just getting started on my journey, and sometimes it feels like I've already screwed up. I kept promising my newsletter subscribers that my book was about to come out, but then I got some feedback that required me to rewrite the book. I definitely lost some subscribers for that, some who had been messaging me directly. I'm still in the middle of rewrites. But I did just get the rights back to a novella, so I had it copyedited and now I'm getting a cover for it so I can publish it on its own. That little win will tide me over until I get my novel done.📚🖋
📔 Inspirational as always! Really needing to hear your thoughts on plans going forward, I've been so "adrift" this entire year but just now starting to feel like I can make plans again. Thanks for all you do, and good luck this week with TDOVS! 💗
I always love to see your process! The good, the bad and not today satan 😅 this is inspiraational and makes me believe that my dream to write is valid and I can do it with 2 school kids and a full time job. Slowly but surely!
I think your book will be done next week and that it will be delicious 👌
The multiple passion of yours bring into my mind a classic: Barbara Sher's Refuse to Choose. I warmly recommend it to anyone feeling overwhelmed by multiple interests. The book is fun, on point and has greatly helped me to celebrate my many interests instead of feeling frustrated.
My fall goals are writting busy life book and a few other books and outlining my charters and more. I also want to exercise and drink water. Plus shopping a little.
My goal for the end of the year is to finish the third draft of my thriller novel. You’ve been such an inspiration to me 💪 I can’t wait to read TDOVS 💜🖤📕
📚📑 I have all the faith in you, Sarra!
I feel so much of what you're saying with balance. I do cover design on the side and I've had to get really honest with myself about time management and how I thrive the best. Its a continual process of growth.
I would 100% buy the A5 planner. Every quarter. I know it’s not certain whether it’ll happen or not, but I hope the stars align for this project!
I'm so excited for you, Sarra!! Your future is bright. Thank you for creating this channel. You have helped me o much, and I'm so happy that you have found a way to keep your Heart Breathings going. I am editing my trilogy for the rest of the year on my end. 👩🏫
Great video - you go girl! I hope you crush your goals. My fall goals are completing an outline for my next book and cleaning out my house. Love the idea of hiring an organizer for the house, I'm going to look into this for my household. Project 48 is inspiring me to do my own similar project to help with my personal goal of overall health and wellbeing. I have ADHD and have struggled with HB90 planning, so I'm looking forward to seeing how other people with ADHD use HB90.
📚 your videos are so inspirational, Sarra. I hope this shift in your life leads you down a path of creativity, balance and good fortune. Sending you all the best vibes!
It’s been a second since I’ve been on UA-cam-I love your hair!!
Sending all the good editing vibes your way Sarra!! I’m excited to read TDOVS❤. I didn’t see the link to your index card binder/holder and could use for my WIP notes 🙏
📚✏️ finish and publish my first novel ❤ I love the idea of project 48, I may need to work on my own project 55 😊
📚 This all is very exciting, and also encouraging as I go through my own season of transition and trying to figure out how to prioritize writing in the middle of it all.❤
one of my goals for this year was to sign up for publish&thrive, which i did now!!! and im loving it✨ also, im finishing up my masters, and when that is done in september, the rest of the year will just very much be cherry on top energy 😃
Love you Sarra, cheering for you❤❤❤❤
I love the idea of a September preptober
Sending my best Cherry on top energy to you so you can make all of these come true ❤🍒
Criticizing others is the oddest concept to me... We are all doing our best! I love your page! Thank you for all you do! :)
Good luck with your goals, Sarra! I’m so looking forward to content on serial writing planning and plotting.