Setting Writing Goals Really Is Important

Writing is by nature a creative craft. That’s largely why we love and turn to it. It gives us a platform to build something and imagine. But creativity has a counterweight–setting writing goals for yourself.

You’ve got options

Quantifiable goals in writing can include:

• completing a writing task within a specific amount of time
• using specific numbers of words per sentence, sentences per paragraph, etc.
• including keywords from a list a minimum number of times
• having a certain number of writing projects open at a given time
• pulling in at least x dollars a day, week, or month from writing projects

Why does setting goals for your writing projects matter so much?

Many writers fail to succeed simply because they’re too aimless. Setting up measurable goals for your writing lets you come up with a plan to move forward. For example, if you want to increase the number of projects you have open, then you might engage in more networking, go to more job posting sites, or contact former clients to remind them of your services. 

If you have to, start small. One objective is better than none at all. You also can shift your goals if you need to. If you’re really tired one day, for instance, then it’s OK to readjust and do 1,000 words instead of 2,000. In the same way, you might try something thinking you’ll love it only to discover it’s not your thing. Writing publications can shut down or suddenly switch their policies.

Life happens. But the reality is that the only plan you can’t act on is the one you never make.

You and no one else

As a final note, make sure your goals are your own. You have your own voice. Your own pace. Your own content. Pivot if you must, but don’t compare yourself to anybody else or worry about what others will think if you really want to achieve what your writing dreams are.