A Leap into the Future

Happy Leap Day, everyone! I have a little exercise for you. You don’t need to be a writer or even a reader to have a bit of fun with this.

Take a piece of paper, or open a fresh document on your computer. Put today’s date at the top, and the following header: Four Years from Today I Wish…

Below that header, write down 3-5 things you hope to accomplish/wish will come true/think you can pull off in the next four years. They can be big or small, but let your imagination roam. Do you want to be married? Published? Own a house? Have traveled abroad? Run a marathon? Write them down.

That’s it. Don’t plan how you’re going to accomplish these things or schedule the steps required to get from here to there. Just write down your dreams.

Now, take that paper or print out that document, fold it up and put it in an envelope. Write February 29, 2016 on the front and seal it up. Now put that envelope somewhere safe, but where you’ll be sure to come across it from time to time: Top drawer of your dresser, the file cabinet where you keep your tax documents, a jewelry box… And do not open it until the next Leap Day.

Happy writing, and happy dreaming!