Taking Goals from Manic to Chill

by Kelly Carey

​I am struggling to set my 2025 goals.
 
Yup. 
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Ten years of 24 Carrot Writing, an entire philosophy centered on finding publishing success by setting goals, and I’m stymied. It’s embarrassing. I’ve written dozens of blog posts on goal setting. Championed the benefits. Encouraged, preached, and even nagged all of you to set goals.

​But here I am. More than halfway through January, and I can’t figure out my 2025 goals. 
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My primary objective is to get another book deal. But I’ve been gripping that macro goal so hard for so long that my hands are cramping and I’m crushing my dream. 

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My first book deal came six years ago. The book launched four years ago, and two years ago I landed a wonderful, hardworking agent. I had momentum. I ran on a mental treadmill faster and faster with the slope getting higher and higher, fully convinced that any less effort would be a massive squandering of all this buzz. I was determined not to fitter this time away. 

But here is what happened. The longer I went without a book deal, the more manic I became.
 
Do you know what you can’t do when you are manic?
 
Write in a wonderful place of creative bliss. 

Enjoy the process. 

Be happy. 
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Flow. 
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During a guided meditation last week, the instructor said you cannot catch a feather with anything other than an open palm. Letting a feather float into an outstretched hand, or a snowflake land on a waiting tongue, is exactly the creative magic I want in my writing. To make it happen, I need to unclench my fists and be ready to receive the inspiration and opportunities the universe is offering. 
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But how do I do that and still set measurable goals? There must be a balance between manic goal setting and floating on the current of “whatever dude.”  But what is it? 

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A family member suggested I check out Planned Happenstance. 

Planned Happenstance is a theory developed by John Krumboltz that suggests folks don’t need a planned conventional career path but rather can succeed by paying attention to and taking advantage of unplanned and serendipitous events. Krumboltz’s theory says that you shouldn’t become so rigidly committed to your plans, or in my case goals, that you miss the chance to explore new opportunities. Even more, Planned Happenstance encourages people to be open to new ideas that spark their interest, bring them joy, and coincide with their skill set. Planned Happenstance is about flexibility, curiosity, and a willingness to persist through obstacles with a positive attitude focused on growth and learning. 

Pursing a creative career seems custom made for applying the theory of Planned Happenstance. The whole idea of being an author is to be open to the inspiration of your muse. To be untethered and inspired and inventive. 
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Through the lens of Planned Happenstance, setting goals makes sense. I can’t control when the next book deal is going to come, but I can embrace the joy of writing. I can develop the story ideas and revise the rough drafts that make me smile. I can actively look for and pursue new opportunities to contribute to the KidLit industry. I can connect with my writing community, learn, and increase my skill set. 

When the book deal comes, I will be ready to take full advantage of catching that beautiful floating feather as it lands in my open palm. 
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I’m off to set my 2025 goals with excited curiosity for what happenstance is going to send my way. I hope you are too. 

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​To learn more about Planned Happenstance, check out these articles: 
https://marcr.net/marcr-for-career-professionals/career-theory/career-theories-and-theorists/planned-happenstance-theory-krumboltz-levin/
https://london.sunderland.ac.uk/about/news-home/careers-development/planned-happenstance/
https://www.careers.govt.nz/resources/career-practice/career-theory-models/krumboltzs-theory/