Do you have goals for your writing career? Are you struggling to reach them? Chances are you’re on this site because you need some help crossing things off your writing “To-Do” list. Below are a few methods you can use to help you achieve your writing goals, become a better writer, and improve your goal-crushing game.
How to Achieve Your Writing Goals Steps 1-6
1. Get a planner.
Whether it’s a dollar store pocket calendar, or a fancy bullet journal you spend hours creating – every writer should have a planner. Many writers use a writer’s notebook. This is a great tool that will really help you achieve your writing goals. This is the planner I use:
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It’s great because for many reasons, which are all listed here. But having a notebook allows you to figure out what you’re going to write. Keeping a planner for your writing makes scheduling your writing time a bit easier.
2. Make a “to accomplish” list.
Lists are a great way to stay organized. Who doesn’t love crossing things off their list? Check. Done. Try calling it a “to accomplish” list. It should be more motivating that way. Doing something is fine, but accomplishing something is much more satisfying.
Update your list regularly as you add and remove tasks. Use this list to add to your daily plans when you have free time to write. Keep your list in your writer’s notebook so you always have it handy.
3. Create SMART goals for your list.
I mention SMART goals all the time. There’s a reason for that- they work! So what are they?
SMART Goals are:
Specific – Be clear, concise, and focused so you can properly motivate yourself. Ask yourself the five W’s for this one: Who? What? When? Where? Why?
Measurable – Goals are best when they can be measured. A traditional way to do this for writing is through word counts. How many words do you want to write today? Or you can use a set amount of time, like writing for 30 minutes. Don’t simply state that you will “write more.” Instead, for example, you could say you will write for X number of hours, X times per week.
Attainable – Create goals you can reasonably accomplish. Don’t set yourself up for failure. You can reach for the stars, just make sure you have a rocket ship to get there.
Relevant – When creating SMART goals for your writing, make sure they’re all actually relevant to writing. For example, don’t add “do laundry,” to your writing accomplishment list.
Time-based – Create deadlines for your goals. If you don’t set time limits, you will let some things hang in limbo forever. It’s just human nature. Deadlines can also be super motivating. Just remember to be reasonable and realistic about how long your specific writing goal will take.
4. Break larger goals into smaller tasks.
One way to ensure failure is to add “Write a novel” to your “To Accomplish” list and leave it like that. What does that mean? How are you going to do that? Break writing your novel down into more manageable steps.
For example, character creation one week, plot outlining the next, world-building two weeks after that. Breaking large, imposing goals down into more manageable pieces will greatly improve your chances of success. So break out your writer’s notebook and start smashing that project to bits.
5. Set realistic deadlines for when you want to achieve your writing goals.
If you’re creating SMART goals, they should be time-based. It’s important to be very realistic about any time constraints you give yourself. Remember to account for the chaos of life. You will need some wiggle room in your plans. At the same time, you don’t want to give yourself a whole year to write one chapter.
Just be honest with yourself. How soon can you reasonably accomplish one of your tasks? Write it down and stick to it.
6. Accept that failure is inevitable.
Odds are, you won’t succeed with everything the first time around. That’s OK. In fact, it’s expected. Don’t let failure become an obstacle. View setbacks as learning experiences. Mistakes are opportunities to improve your methods.
How to Achieve Your Writing Goals Steps 7-15
7. Create a schedule.
So you have everything laid out – you know exactly how and when you’re going to get things done. Now, you need to create a writing schedule. For many writing is like a second job. You have to make time for it by planning your day around writing time.
Many of you will say, “But I don’t have time to write!” Yes, you do. Check out my article on Creating Your Writer’s Life for scheduling tips and tricks.
8. Find an accountability partner to help you achieve your writing goals.
You can’t do this alone. My friends, you are welcome to try, but I don’t know any successful writers who are 100% solo. You need someone to hold you to your word.
Your accountability partner should also be your acknowledgment partner. Acknowledgment is one of the best methods for motivation. Not only will your accountability partner make sure you’re working towards your goals, but they’ll also celebrate with you when you achieve them.
It doesn’t have to be a person in real life. You can go online to find someone. Twitter and the NaNoWriMo Website are great places to find accountability partners.
9. Listen to your own advice.
We all struggle hard with this one. We are excellent at giving advice. But taking your own words to heart isn’t easy.
My mother drives this point home. When I’m thinking about giving up or just having a super negative moment, she’ll ask me what I would tell myself if it were someone else.
So when you find yourself struggling, don’t kick yourself while you’re down. Ask yourself what you would say to a friend who was having the same issue. Then take your own advice!
10. Create your own writer space – both in your home and in your life.
You need an office. Or if you’re like me – a spot on the floor where you can type on your laptop. However you set it up, you need your own private, creative space to practice your craft.
Just like you need space in your home, you also should make space in your life for your writing. Check out this article for some ideas and helpful hints on how to do that.
11. Reward yourself when you achieve your writing goals.
Writing is hard work. There’s no easy way around that. So, take the time to properly reward yourself when you accomplish one of your writing goals.
It can be purchasing a new book, going out to dinner, or finally buying those cute shoes you’ve been looking at forever. Whatever brings you joy, do that as a way to positively reinforce all the hard work you’ve done.
12. Always carry a notebook.
You never know when your muse will float down to whisper in your ear. I bet there have been countless times you’ve had a brilliant idea and forgot to write it down. That’s why you should always have a notebook and pen on you.
You don’t have to be so old-school, a notes app on your phone is fine. Just make sure you’re ready to capture a rogue idea or two. Being prepared is one of the best ways to ensure that you achieve your writing goals.
13. Practice, practice, practice…
The only way to become a great writer is to write. A lot. All the time. We all want to be geniuses appreciated for our creativity. But not everyone is willing to put in the real work. Write as much as you can, as often as you are able.
If you find you have a lull in your writing schedule, or you’re suffering from writer’s block, try freewriting as a form of pressure-free practice.
A dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.
~ Colin Powell
14. Stop making excuses for why you can’t achieve your writing goals.
Someone once said, “We make time for what we want to make time for.” This is a great mantra. If you really want to write, you will manifest the time and energy to do so. Everything else is just an excuse.
So ask yourself, is writing really your passion? If the answer is yes, stop making excuses and start writing.
“You are a writer. You just need to write.”
Jeff Goins
15. Learn to appreciate feedback.
Last but certainly not least, you have to realize that not everything you write will be perfect, or even good. I’m 100% sure my writing on this website looks like total garbage to someone with more experience.
It’s one thing to say, “I love feedback.” It’s another thing to swallow your pride when someone says, “This makes no sense.” or “Too much telling and not enough showing.” (Yuck!)
But the reality is other people can see flaws in your work you’ve become blind to. Do yourself, your writing, and your readers a favor by learning to accept feedback with grace and understanding. It’s not easy, but you can do it!
I hope these tools help you achieve your writing goals. Just to prove I’m not a hypocrite, any feedback you have on my writing is welcome and appreciated.
Note: This page may contain affiliate links for which, if an item is purchased, I will receive a small commission at absolutely no extra cost to you. I only ever post links for products that I have used, found helpful, and loved. Thank you for supporting my writing journey so I can continue to help you on yours!
