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You’ve decided to become a freelance writer. Now it’s time to set your writing goals. What are you aiming to achieve in your business?
I am going to keep today’s post relatively short. When it comes to writing goals, this is something that you’re best setting a time to work on and just getting on with it. I can help you get started, but there’s no way that I’m going to be able to set the goals for you.
Setting writing goals is important. Not only will you get something to work towards, but you’ll also stay motivated. There are going to be days, or maybe weeks, where you just don’t really want to work. So, you need to find a way to re-focus.
Set SMART writing goals for your business
One thing I do want to say is to make sure you have SMART goals. These are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Timely
The one area you may need help with when it comes to just starting out as a writer is the “achievable” part. I remember starting out in the business and not really knowing what to expect. I worked with my mentor to figure out what would be achievable each month.
What initially seems achievable could end up not being. We just have no idea what to expect in life. So, when I make my achievable goals, I tend to err on the side of caution.
How to set your goals for writing
There’s no set way to set your writing goals. I do recommend writing them down somewhere. I have three goals each month and I’ll write them on my whiteboard. This way, they stare me in the face when I lose motivation. You could opt to write everything down in a planner or on your computer screen. You just want it to be somewhere you will see the goals regularly.
Even if you don’t see the goals daily, writing them is important. You put them in a physical way, which will help them stick in your mind better.
You may also want to tell a friend about them. Your mentor is a great person to talk to and to keep you accountable. Another option is an accountability partner.
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What are your goals going to be for this month? What do you want to achieve by the end of the year? Share your writing goals in the comments below.