Everybody has goals, whether they're writing related or not. Some may be easier to achieve than others. When it comes to writing goals, you probably have big ones--like become a bestselling author, or writing x many books--and some smaller, more short term ones--like get to a certain word count or finish the next chapter. Even the smallest goal can be daunting if it isn't coming easily to you. So how do we know we're on the right path? How do we get where we want to be?
If you're constantly changing your goals or adding new ones, you may never be 100% done, which is a good thing. If we were completely done with our writing, well, we wouldn't be writers anymore. As long as you have new goals or ideas, you'll never really stop. But at the same time, you do actually want to achieve your goals. We all want to finish the book we're working on and get it published, then maybe we'll write a sequel or start a whole new idea. The possibilities for new goals are endless, but the first step is to finish the goals you've already made.
Figuring out how to achieve these goals can be tricky. I know for me, just trying to edit my novel is difficult right now. For some it may be getting the first draft done, others figuring out how to get published. We each have our own separate goals to work on, and they can be as diverse as the story ideas themselves. It helps to focus on one goal at a time. Yes, you may have those big, long term goals, but those are hard and take time to achieve. If you focus on one small goal at a time, you may find it a bit easier.
Or you can have different stages of goals. For instance, my main goal is to get the third draft of my novel done. It's not a huge goal, but it isn't small, either. My first smaller goal is to finish editing the first chapter. Once that's done, the next goal will be the second chapter, then the third, and so on. Some of these goals will take more time than others, depending on how much editing actually needs to be done. But for me, I think going chapter by chapter will most likely be the best way to go.
Getting to where we want to be can be a long, difficult process. It helps to have that big picture goal in mind, but to not focus too much on it. Focus on the smaller goals that are right in front of you. If you take things one step at a time, the journey may not seem so long.
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I agree writing is a step by step process. I think it takes a certain amount of bullheadedness as well because there are a lot of people saying it is a dream and not something realistic to spend time on.
ReplyDeleteIf we love it enough we will always strive to do more and to do better.
All I can do is focus on the next task at hand...
ReplyDeleteMy goal is a simple one - just get writing again. Maybe the reason I haven't made good on it yet is because it does seem so daunting. Maybe if I just make it a goal to write one paragraph first?
ReplyDeleteI think having big goals you can chop up into smaller ones make the big goals easier to achieve. They're less daunting.
ReplyDeleteI'm always making goals. Big ones for the year, then I break them down by months, weeks, and days. Sometimes I actually accomplish one. :)
ReplyDeleteSticking with out goals is important. We can modify them as things change, but if we keep replacing our goals with other ones, we'll never reach any of them. I have long-term goals but my goals daily/weekly are usually simple such as writing another chapter or editing the next three chapters in my work in progress. Goals like that help me to get to the bigger ones...finishing my book.
ReplyDeleteMy goals are always changing. As long as I keep moving forward, I'm happy. Usually...
ReplyDeleteGreat advice and something I am working on now. I have a bad habit of focusing on big goals and then getting distracted or discouraged.
ReplyDeleteNormally I focus on one major writing goal at a time, but I've got 5 deadlines before the end of the year. I keep rotating through projects and working them toward completion based on what's due first. It's crazy and I'm ready for a break, but the results will be epic. Here's to pushing and making our goals happen!
ReplyDeleteGoals are tough for me. I've missed so many of mine, that I only set small ones. And then I don't even get those! Ah well. At least I got up in the morning. That's one step at a time. :)
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