Goal setting is our GPS on the road to publication. Sure, you can arrive without the directions, but you run the risk of getting lost and waste valuable time winging it.
The first step in setting new goals for 2010 is taking a backward look at 2009. List the successes you enjoyed this year.
How many times did you sub a single story, essay, or memoir?
How many different stories, essays, or memoirs did you write?
Was your reading on track with your reading goals?
Look at the list and determine if your writing activities are in line with your long term goal (publishing). If you didn't set goals for 2009, make a list of successes anyway. This will jump-start your goals for 2010.
Publishing is an outcome goal, our destination; it’s where we want to go. We get there by setting and completing performance goals.
A writer’s performance goals might include
1) Send five query letters each week
2) Write 2,000 words every day
3) Read five writing skill books this year, and
4) Join a writer’s critique group by 06/30.
Performance goals should be S.M.A.R.T. If you haven’t seen that a gazillion times, Google it. Besides S.M.A.R.T., remember this acronym as you set goals for the new year: W.R.I.T.E.
Write down your goals
Review, revise, and reset goals as necessary
Invest time and hard work to complete
Track your progress, even Ernest Hemingway kept track of his word count
Evaluate your success, but don't be too hard on yourself. A missed goal can always be revisited.
If you're procrastinating, check out Darnell Arnoult's pep talk about setting. And watch the Zig Ziglar links she has on the blog. Don't set writing goals? Start. Goals keep us focused and on track with our writing journeys. Any questions?
The first step in setting new goals for 2010 is taking a backward look at 2009. List the successes you enjoyed this year.
How many times did you sub a single story, essay, or memoir?
How many different stories, essays, or memoirs did you write?
Was your reading on track with your reading goals?
Look at the list and determine if your writing activities are in line with your long term goal (publishing). If you didn't set goals for 2009, make a list of successes anyway. This will jump-start your goals for 2010.
Publishing is an outcome goal, our destination; it’s where we want to go. We get there by setting and completing performance goals.
A writer’s performance goals might include
1) Send five query letters each week
2) Write 2,000 words every day
3) Read five writing skill books this year, and
4) Join a writer’s critique group by 06/30.
Performance goals should be S.M.A.R.T. If you haven’t seen that a gazillion times, Google it. Besides S.M.A.R.T., remember this acronym as you set goals for the new year: W.R.I.T.E.
Write down your goals
Review, revise, and reset goals as necessary
Invest time and hard work to complete
Track your progress, even Ernest Hemingway kept track of his word count
Evaluate your success, but don't be too hard on yourself. A missed goal can always be revisited.
If you're procrastinating, check out Darnell Arnoult's pep talk about setting. And watch the Zig Ziglar links she has on the blog. Don't set writing goals? Start. Goals keep us focused and on track with our writing journeys. Any questions?
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