GOALSETTING FOR WRITERS

Setting goals is so important when it comes to staying motivated as a writer. Setting a goal as simple as writing for five minutes every day can do wonders when it comes to increasing your speed, fighting off writer’s block, and even just improving your own self-control. Which is what will really get you far as a writer.

With no one around to make you work, the temptation is always going to be there to push it off just one more day. Holding yourself accountable with goals and training yourself to follow through on them is what is going to make the difference between that half-finished manuscript sitting on your computer for the rest of your life, and seeing your name printed across its spine.

As someone blessed with ADHD- who also happens to be very skilled in the art of procrastination- I get it. The last thing I want to do some days is sit down and write. So, here are a few of my favorite tips on setting goals that I’ve used.

Keep it simple

Your goal doesn’t have to consist of some abstract “write until I feel good about it,” or “just sit down and write something.” Stay concrete. Tell yourself, “I am going to write 500 words today,” or “I am going to write for the next thirty minutes.”

Keep it small

Goals don’t have to be these huge, difficult tasks. Break it down, make it realistic and achievable. I wouldn’t recommend telling yourself, “I am going to finish my book by (insert date).” Switch that for, “I am going to be done with this chapter by the end of the week.”

Keep it consistent

I am way more likely to cave to my whims if every day I wake up with a different changeable goal. Holding myself to the same thirty minutes each day keeps me from waking up tomorrow and deciding that my goal is only going to be ten.

Finally, reward yourself!

This is the most important part of goalsetting. Reaching your goals! Celebrate it, reward yourself. Go out, read that novel you’ve been dying to get into, have a treat waiting for you when you’ve finished for the day. Just remember, writing isn’t a chore. You write because you love to write, and goals are there to help you do what you love. Not to give you a reason to tear yourself down.