How to Start Setting Goals For Your Writing

January is undoubtedly the time to start setting goals for the new year. To avoid forgetting them, it is a good idea to revisit and adjust your goals at least once midyear or perhaps quarterly, depending on the time you have available. I usually set aside two days a year–one during the summer and one at the end of December. In December, I set my goals for the new year and in the summer, I check to see what I have accomplished and adjust the rest.

Simple Steps for Setting Goals as a Writer

As a writer, your goals should include your writing plans. First, decide what you want to do. Whether it’s to write, journal, blog, or to participate in a writing challenge, just to name a few possibilities. Just like with writing challenges, goals help writers to keep writing. 

Next, set realistic goals regarding the time you have available for them. For example, writing every day is a good challenge to take on for a month or two, but perhaps it does not fit into your schedule 365 days a year. Therefore, set a weekly or monthly goal instead. This also makes it feel like a “special” time as it is not something you do every day, but rather something you get to look forward to doing. 

Then, decide on the type of writing you want to do. Here are some ideas: how-to articles, infographics with creative tips, business or career books, personal essays, recipes, poems, short stories, and novels. Think of combining other creative outlets into your writing such as taking pictures, drawing, or crafting. These will complement your writing and make an experience out of each of your writing sessions.

Last but not least, track your progress. How many of your writing goals did you accomplish? Were they exactly as you planned them, or did you modify the content or word count? And most importantly, did you enjoy the experience?

Let us know some of your writing goals in the comment section. We’re cheering for you!

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