The right goals are crucial for success in your writing career, and creating and implementing the right goals are a key focus here at Productive Writers.
I adjust my goals and create new ones periodically throughout the year, and you should, too. However, in our culture the beginning of a new year is the main time most people focus on goal setting.
This year I’m sharing the best Productive Writers posts about goals, the posts that show you the best ways to set yours and best ways to realize them. Let’s jump in…
SMART Goals
You want to set SMART goals:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Actionable
- Relevant
- Time-Bounded
Get all the specifics in “Setting Freelance Writing Goals That Work.” You’ll also find out why goal setting itself is so important, and how not doing so can set you back.
Staying on Track with Your Goals
Setting them is one thing, but what about implementation?
See “13 Top Techniques for Achieving Your Goals.” A few of the key techniques discussed in detail:
- Understand the Importance of Persistence
- Develop a Strong Sense of Efficacy
- Forgive Yourself for Backsliding
- Reward Yourself
Never Underestimate the Power of Small Positive Changes
I wrote a whole post about how the little things can have a big impact: “Small Positive Changes Add Up to a Big Difference in Your Life.”
I examine how incremental improvements can help you in many areas of life, including:
- Finances
- Relationships
- Health
- Time Management
My Main Goal…
This was a short post I wrote back in 2013, and it hasn’t changed: “Live a long, happy, healthy life.”
In “My Main Goal in Six Words” I examine how this foundation goal is the basis for all my other goals.
What Other Freelance Writers Say
I asked many well-known and successful freelance writers — including Carol Tice, Linda Formichelli, Jennifer Mattern, Lori Widmer, Kristi Hines, Jake Poinier, Ann Wayman, Tom Chandler, and Amy Harrison, among others — about their top goals for 2014. Their answers varied, from the professional to the personal, but I’m sure you’ll find wisdom to help you in 2017.
“19 Successful Freelance Writers Share Their Top Goals for 2017”
Your Take
What are your key professional and personal goals for 2017? Share below!
John, I’m working at changing my thinking and learning how to follow through until whatever project is well and truly complete… I do this in my writing, but not in the rest of my life and it’s getting in my way.
Anne, I’ve also been putting more emphasis on finishing. In addition, I’ve been dedicating the first two hours of every morning to my most important writing project, and that’s before breakfast and before any Internet activity.
John, I’m looking at ways to make my marketing smarter this year. I’ve already seen the results of the heavy lifting I’ve been doing over the years — last year I barely marketed at all. This year, I’m looking for less labor-intensive methods of finding clients.
Also, I’m looking to create a workflow that increases my income by at least ten percent while decreasing my workload by the same amount.
And as always, I’m lining up the want-to-learn and need-to-learn items on my wish list and choosing something new to add to the skill set.
Lori, you’re one of the smartest freelance writers and bloggers I know. I look forward to reading about how you’ll achieve your marketing and workflow goals.
Hi John. I’ve been using SMART goals for the last several months, too . . . though it’s hard to find time to think through and note even those 5 points.
Your Top Goals for 2014 is terrific. I hope you do an update for this year.
-Robert
Thanks, Robert! I may do a similar post for 2018.
Mine is simple one. Double current traffic!!! 🙂
Hey John
Loving this post. While I don’t usually make resolutions as such, each year I write down what I want to achieve in the year to come in a special book that is only used at that time each year, and then I look at last year’s list and write down what I achieved on that list, as well as those surprise things that I’m proud of and had no idea the year had in store for me.
I’ve yet to sit down and write this year’s one but already know a few special things I’ll be including on that list and have already started working on it.
I’m a bit late to this post, I know, but I only found this blog a couple of days ago!
I had a bunch of goals that I set at the start of this year, some of which I’m on track for and some I’ve discarded.
One of the things I have found really helpful with goal-setting is the Time-Bound part of the SMART framework.
I tried the 12 Week Year method and found it really helpful – mostly in terms of maintaining a clear focus on what I wanted to achieve in a relatively short period of time, rather than getting distracted or waylaid.
Cheers!