Setting the Right Goals for Success
As 2024 rapidly comes to an end, it's the perfect time to talk about setting goals for what you want to happen in your writing career. Whether you're penning your first novel or looking to expand your authorial presence, understanding and setting clear goals is key. That's why it's so important to be smart about the type of goal you're setting.
SMART Goals
A goal becomes powerful when it’s more than just a vague aspiration. That’s where SMART goals come in. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. It's a framework that transforms your dreams into actionable, achievable targets.
Specific: A SMART goal is crystal clear. Instead of saying, "I want to write more," aspecific goal would be, "I will write a 75,000-word romance novel."
Measurable: This aspect ensures you can track your progress. For example, break your goal into milestones: "I will write 2,500 words per week and complete the first draft in 30 weeks."
Attainable: Your goal should challenge you but still be realistic. While dreaming of writing three novels in a month might inspire you, setting a goal like completing one novel in six months keeps you motivated and avoids burnout.
Relevant: Align your goal with your broader writing aspirations. If your ultimate dream is to become a published author, writing that novel supports your long-term vision and brings you closer to success.
Time-bound: Every goal needs a deadline. Set a clear timeframe, such as, "I will complete the first draft by June 30th, edit by August, and hire a developmental editor or begin querying agents by September."
Now that you've gotten smart about it, let's look at the different types of goals.
Types of Goals
I believe there are three types of goals; income, performance, and feeling goals.
Income Goals: These are financial targets you set for yourself. It’s not just about earning more money; it’s about understanding your financial needs and aspirations as an author and planning your writing and marketing efforts accordingly.
Performance Goals: These are related to measurable aspects of your writing career other than income, like increasing newsletter subscribers, boosting social media engagement, or hitting a certain number of preorders for your next book.
Emotional Goals: Often overlooked, these goals are about how you want to feel as you pursue your writing career. Whether it’s feeling more secure, having more energy, or ensuring you have enough time for self-care, emotional goals are crucial for a sustainable and fulfilling writing journey.
Kickstart Your Writing Year with a 21-Day Plan
With all this information, you’re now equipped to set well-rounded and realistic goals for 2025. Remember, the key is to be specific, measurable, and kind to yourself. Now imagine starting the year with a plan to not just set goals, but to achieve them—like writing a book in just 21 days.
That’s exactly what my Page Turner Pacing Kickstarter is all about. It’s a proven framework to help you master pacing, write with confidence, and establish a writing routine that works for you.
Whether you’re tackling your first book or looking to refine your process, Page Turner Pacing will equip you with the tools to turn your story idea into a binge-worthy novel—quickly and effectively.
If you’re ready to start the year strong and hit your writing goals, I’d love for you to check out my Kickstarter prelaunch page. Follow now to be the first to know when it launches in January and unlock exclusive bonuses!
Happy writing and goal-setting,
Ines
More exciting news for 2025!
In addition to writing my second nonfiction book “Page Turner Tension” here on Substack, I’ll be hosting a monthly webinar. Both the access for the nonfiction book’s draft pages and the monthly webinars are for paid subscribers only. To upgrade to paid, it’s just $8 per month!