Tell The Damn Story, ep 396: How Small Goals Beat Big Resolutions for Writers in the New Year.

Welcome To Another Creative Year! Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan kick off 2026 by diving into what it really takes to be a prolific and resilient writer in the new year. With flying cars and jet packs noticeably absent from our futures, the co-hosts remind us that storytelling—simple, honest, and consistent—is the true adventure. Together, they reflect on the pitfalls of New Year's resolutions and why grand, unattainable goals can sabotage creative momentum. Instead, this dynamic wordsmithing duo advocates for practical, achievable steps—celebrating every victory, no matter how small, and forgiving ourselves for unfinished drafts and missed writing days. This episode is packed with relatable stories and actionable advice, from reassessing your past progress with kindness to embracing curiosity and sustaining creative habits. If you're ready to take on 2026 as a storyteller, tune in for honest conversation, hard-earned wisdom, and the inspiration you need to keep writing—and keep going. “If this episode resonated, download our cheat sheet—Six Ways to Win the Writing Year Without Burning Out—and keep the momentum going.” https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W3oL8bDVjVt8gea4u7WG643tUQkZVeX2/view?usp=sharing Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section below or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story Stories change lives. They always have. If you're enjoying these episodes, please take a moment to help wet our whistle by clicking on the link to ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tellthedamnstory 00:00 "Launch 2026 with Storytelling" 06:06 "Overcoming Self-Doubt" 07:44 "Start Small, Celebrate Progress" 12:54 "Commit to Writing" 13:19 "Commit to Writing Progress" 17:21 "Revisiting Unfinished Ideas" 21:05 "Grandma, Reindeer, and Crime Ideas" 23:39 "First Attempt at Stand-Up" 26:54 "Editing Process and Refinement." 29:36 "Planning Beyond Episode 400." 34:31 "Perseverance Through Challenges."

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