Writing Goals for the New Year

It’s 2020. A new year. A new you, perhaps, with a laundry list of new resolutions? What should a writer, like you and I, be resolving to accomplish in the new year? What should our writing goals be? And how should we approach it?

Goals are exceptional ways to create and meet accomplishments. But not every goal is achievable. That’s a hard truth no one likes to accept but hey, truth hurts at first then brings about a better understanding.

FIRST, take stock of goal types.

Choose goals that are measurable. Saying “I want to be kinder in the new year” is all well and good but won’t amount to hogwash if you don’t choose the words of the resolution carefully. As writers, we understand the value of words. Measurability starts with word choice. Instead of saying “I want to be kinder”, try saying “I want to say please, thank you, etc.” or “I want to hold the door open for strangers.” or even “I want to anonymously buy gifts for strangers like a meal in the drive thru for the car behind me, at least once a month.” These simple word changes give action to the goal. And action is measureable.

SECOND, divide goals into types.

There are many types of goals just like there are many types of milk.

There are physical goals like exercise or drinking more water; spiritual goals like reading scripture or prayer; mental goals like taking self-care days or talking in a group therapy session; writing goals (job goals) like word count or daily writing time; family goals like intentional date nights with your spouse or game night with the kids; financial goals like saving an extra $100/month or (just for fun) making your first paycheck from selling a piece of written work.

So you see, there are many different types of goals and dividing those goals into categories can help you accomplish them in a more even pace. If you’re heavy handed in one category, decide if it’s too much expectation for a single year. Perhaps, you should divide goals by each month? Or maybe this reveals your passion and you can use it as fuel. Either way, separate your goals into categories.

THIRD, make those writing goals viewable.

You don’t have to post them on social media if you don’t want to. These goals may be private, but placing them somewhere you can see them is vital. It sets a constant reminder in view so that you don’t forget. Because if you’re anything like me, you’ll forget. I’m personally creating several lists: a self-proclaimed tweet for writing goals, a personal lists on an old-fashioned sheet of paper, and a full complete list on my phone for safe keeping.

FINALLY, throw the lists out the window.

If you’re feeling whiplash from this, I’m sorry. Rub that metaphorical neck and continue reading.

Ultimately, goals are great but if they start to interfere with your well-being then get rid of them. If you start a nasty comparison game, delete them all. If you find yourself driven mad by obsession or worse, depressed from failure, then the goals aren’t doing what they’re supposed to do. Goals should be fun, exciting, and while they can be daunting or challenging, they shouldn’t ruin your life or your year.

Remember the year 2020 is about 20/20 vision. And that all boils down to you, not me or my preferences or so-and-sos preference. Whatever works best for you is what you should do.

If you must, throw the goals out. For extra support, read this!

Tips for Writing Goals!

Ah, deep breath. Now it’s time for some personal reflection specifically geared towards writing. This could get ugly so stay with me.

If you’re reading this, odds are you’re a writer. You likely have lists involving “getting published”, “finding a literary agent”, “selling your perfect novel for $1,000,000” etc. We all fall into this trap.

That’s right, I said trap. Don’t worry, I’m in the shackles right next to you. I’ve already made my lists, knowing full well it was a trap. But still, I wrote it down.

Below are some noteworthy tips to help you through the struggle bus of writing goals.

If you’re like me and you’re seeking a literary agent or a publishing contract, it’s all fun and games to write it down as a goal. But honestly, it’s not a “real” goal. It’s a dream. Dreams are great. I’m not knocking them. I have them too. But we’re talking about goals. Be sure to write goals you specifically have control over. Sadly, you don’t control the literary agents reading your query letters. You only control your actual query letter and who you send it to. At the end of the year, when you take stock of 2020, don’t fall victim to thinking you’re a failure because you didn’t do something like “land a literary agent”. You can’t control that so technically it doesn’t count.

What writing goals should a writer have?

I’m so glad you asked. 🙂 In the end, the goals are yours to create so this list is neither mandatory nor exhaustive as to what you can try to accomplish as a writer.

Please download this FREE GIFT as a visual aid/goal guide for the year 2020.

All the best wishes, writer. Post your most exciting goal achievement from 2019, and the newest goal for 2020 in the comments!

Let’s celebrate and encourage.