Setting Writing Goals for 2018
How do you narrow your ambitions down to just one goal?? Asking for a friend.
With 2018 just a few weeks away, I’ve started working on my New Year’s resolutions.
Well, I don’t really like to call them “resolutions.” I prefer “goals.” Just seems more tangible to me. What can I say, I’m a Capricorn.
A dream is just a dream. A goal is a dream with a plan and a deadline. — Harvey Mackay
This year, the categories are:
- reading
- finance
- running
- travel
- writing
Earlier this week, I shared my reading goal for 2018. I’m challenging myself to read 52 books that meet various criteria.
At some point next week, I plan on sharing my financial, running and travel goals. As with the reading goal, I’ll be sure to include steps for achieving each one.
I don’t make dumb goals. I make SMART ones.
Coined in the journal Management Review, SMART is an acronym for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
Make it a goal to make SMART goals.
By recording your dreams and goals on paper, you set in motion the process of becoming the person you most want to be. Put your future in good hands — your own. — Mark Victor Hansen
It’s also important not to set too many goals. Anymore than five, and I think you’re running the risk of overwhelming yourself.
So, I know how to set goals, but when it comes to writing, I’m not sure what I want to work toward in 2018.
I’ve been so excited about writing lately that it’s hard to narrow my ambitions down to a single goal. Here’s a few different thing I’m considering:
- Write 1,000 words per day
- Publish on Medium five days per week
- Send x number of pitches per week
- Publish on Backpacking Brunette twice per week
- Write an eBook about travel (exact topic TBD)
- Start a weekly newsletter
- Publish stories in x number of publications
As you can see, I’m kind of all over the place. I want to capitalize on the momentum I have now, but I don’t want to get burned out just a few weeks into 2018.
WHAT SHOULD I DO ???!!!
Have you set your writing goals for the new year? Are you focusing on just one? Do you have a few in the works? How do you plan on achieving them?
I’d love to know!
Hi, I’m Alex! After living in Madrid, Spain, for two years, I recently moved to Mexico. Tacos and sunshine, baby! When I’m not writing, I’m reading, running or drinking red wine. For more of my writing, check out my blog: Backpacking Brunette.
