How to Stick to Your Writing Goals
5 tips to stay motivated on your writing goals throughout the year
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As December comes to a close and 2022 is looming over our shoulders, many of us will be thinking about what we want to achieve in the new year. whether you’re looking to write a new book or grow your personal brand as a writer, this article will help you develop and stick to your goals.
If you’re someone who loves picking New Year’s resolutions, but always ends up losing motivation after a couple of months, here are five tips to help you succeed.
Pick one or two resolutions that you’re really passionate about
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is choosing a handful of really challenging, long-term goals you want to complete in a year. Committing to so many changes at once can be overwhelming and cause you to lose motivation quickly.
This year, try picking just one or two resolutions that you’re really passionate about. It will seem less overwhelming when you only have to achieve one or two things, rather than four or five.
In order to narrow down your choices, there are a few methods you can choose, such as:
Choosing the goal with the biggest impact first. Picking a goal that will make a big impact on your life will keep you motivated to see it through.
Choosing the smallest goal first. Once you achieve something small, you’ll be more confident about completing another goal.
If you’re unsure what your goals even are, this article is a great resource for thinking about what you want to achieve and will help you select your goals using the SMART method.
Write down why you’re passionate about your resolution and keep the list close by
Once you’ve decided on your resolutions, make a list of reasons why you’re passionate about achieving them.
Studies show that you’ll be 42 percent more likely to achieve them if you write them down. So grab a pen and paper (or your phone) and get writing!
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Think through these questions to help you:
How will this make a positive impact on my life or other’s lives?
Why did I choose this goal?
What will change if I successfully complete this goal?
Focus on making your list about the positives rather than the negatives. Thinking about what bad things will happen if you don’t complete the goal will have you starting your year off with a negative mindset.
Keep your list close by. When you’re feeling unmotivated, read through what you wrote so you can remember why it’s so important to achieve your resolution.
Break up your resolution by monthly, smaller goals
Not only can this make your resolution seem more feasible, but you’ll also feel like you’re achieving more because you’re accomplishing small goals every single month.
For example, if your writing goal for 2022 is to write a 100,000-word novel, break that up into a monthly goal. that averages out to about 8,333 words per month, or 1,923 words per week. that seems a lot more manageable, doesn’t it?
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Create a calendar with a general outline of the smaller goals you want to achieve that month. As you check off each month, you’ll be able to see what you’ve accomplished and stay motivated to get all the way to December 2022.
join an accountability group
writing groups and communities are a great way to get the support and accountability you need to achieve your writing goals. you can find like-minded people who can motivate you, support you, and talk with you about your goals and their goals.
if you’re a poet, the poetry club is a membership with monthly writing workshops, challenges, and private community to keep you motivated toward your goals and resolutions. poets can join from anywhere and have any writing experience level!
there are many writing groups out there if you’d prefer to find a local group in your area, or want to focus on a different genre of writing.
Don’t give up just because you fell off track
Remember, you can start your goals at any time. It doesn’t have to be January 1. If you have something you want to achieve, don’t quit just because you stepped away from your goal for a month or two.
If you find yourself in April or May and you haven’t thought about your resolution since the beginning of the year, that’s okay.
Any day is a good day to start.
Remember that focusing on one or two things and making a big impact is better than picking a wide variety of goals and sharing your focus with all of them.
Pick one or two goals, write down the impact you want to have, and keep that list close by. Then, break up your resolution into smaller, monthly goals so your resolution will seem easier to manage. You got this!
What’s your New Year’s resolution for 2022?