Achieve Your Writing Goals Book Content

Writing a book seems to be on everyone’s bucket list these days, but very few actually finish their book or manage to fulfill other writing dreams. Many writers fail because they do not know how to set effective writing goals and how to develop an action plan.

Whether you are a newbie or a multi-published author, this book will help you:

-Learn the difference between goals and dreams

-Turn your dreams into effective, realistic writing goals

-Discover what matters most to you about your writing

-Create an action plan that guides you through every step

And more!

Excerpt:

Are your daily actions bringing you closer to your goals? If not, do not expect the things in your life you need and want changed, to change. It feels comforting to hear motivational speakers tell you how to achieve the goals to make your life prosperous. It is inspiring to read books and articles on overcoming the challenges in life to achieve your desired goals. But, the key to achieving any goal is putting feet to your actions.

There are dozens of articles and blogs that preach the importance of goals. Even articles and blogs that downplayed the significance of goals. There were great points with some of the commentary from both sides. In my own conclusion of researching and talking to successful people in different walks of life, setting and achieving goals is an important piece of their success. Their goal process is not a one size fits all, but it is unique to their life’s vision.  

Goals are essential to your development and success. If goal setting is new to you, you tried them and it didn’t work or need a reminder, here are some perspective changers. Goals create a road map for success, and they are the targets toward which you point your life. Int his way, they give you a starting point and a destination to reach. Writing them down is a great help because you can visually see where you are going, what changes you need to make and if you are progressing towards your prize.

To achieve your life goals, you must make sacrifices, stay committed, overcome challenges and work your plans. As you set goals focused on your vision the more you will grow and accomplish that goal. Goals help you focus your attention on your purpose in the process and make it your dominant aspiration. When you have a definite target it positions you for real success. A specific goal does not take you around in circles; it puts you on a direct course of action.

            Goal achievement requires a committed, concentrated and consistent work ethic to make your dreams a reality. Writing your goals help you clarify what you desire to do, understand the importance of pursuing them and commit yourself to making them happen. Goals have value only if they help you develop and improve yourself or others potential. So, with writing, your goal is to finish your book process. Whatever your book is about you were given the purpose to create it for you and others to enjoy.

When you measure your goals progress, you stay on track, see your target dates and experience the excitement of achievement that will propel you to reach your goals. The secret to achieving your goals is to get started. The first step is always the hardest. When you set actionable goals make sure they agree with your overall vision. A goal worth pursuing is not something that anyone can easily talk you out of achieving.

Defining your goals in writing impresses them upon your heart and mind. Goals are reached one step at a time. When you commit yourself to your vision and express it in achievable goals, you provide yourself with the motivation of where you are going and how you anticipate getting there. Goals help you to determine priorities and direct you to focus on what is important.

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” Zig Ziglar

Achieve Your Writing Goals in 9 Steps

Writing goals are important, and you don’t need us to tell you that, wherever you are in your book writing process. But as simple as they sound, setting goals – especially ones that center on your writing plan – can seem like a daunting task. It’s overwhelming to know where to even begin.

Start by acknowledging your power. Sing it loud and sing it proud because you do have the power! You are very capable of setting and achieving your writing goals for writing a book. Be prepared to celebrate your small wins along the way. They will lead to your ultimate goal of holding your completed book in your hands. I can speak from experience that becoming an author of a published book is one of the most special moments you will ever have.

If you’re like me (and most writers out there), you likely struggle to eliminate distractions and remain focused on actually getting some writing done. Maybe you even struggle with overcoming self-doubt.

With these steps you will see positive changes in your life – no matter what obstacles get thrown in your way.

Here’s how to meet your writing goals:

1. Know the ‘why’ of your goal
2. Commit to your writing plan
3. Set writing goal deadlines
4. Plan out rewards
5. Break down the writing goal
6. Use to-do lists
7. Do this when you get sidetracked
8. Think positive
9. Imagine achieving your writing goals

Regardless of what phase you’re in with the writing and publishing process, time to pause and make sure you’re setting yourself up for success each day by setting writing goals and holding yourself accountable.

Let’s Get Started!

#1 – Know the ‘why’ of your writing goal

Why are you writing your book? Consider how your written story will positively affect the lives of your readers and the world. Consider how it will change your own life by discovering the many opportunities from writing a book. 

Will your book lead to a speaking or coaching career? Will it help you launch a new business? Will it provide you and your family with financial stability? Will it give you the flexibility to work from home and spend more time with your family?

Write the answer to this major question in 3-5 sentences. Then, hang it up where you will see it as you write each day. It will serve as motivation and help you persevere as you navigate through the world of self-publishing.

#2 – Commit to your writing plan

Some days will be easy to stay committed and excited about meeting your daily writing goals. Other days will test you. These challenging days will shake you to your core and flood your mind with doubt. In moments like these, instead of succumbing to writing excuses, revisit your “why” and focus on accomplishing one step at a time. 

The #1 question to focus on is: What’s the next step toward reaching your writing goals? Don’t view the entire mountain at once. This means that you don’t want to look too far ahead. Focus on what you can do today to move the needle forward.Take your first step toward the top.

Here’s how to commit to your writing plan:

Visualize yourself achieving your goal. What does it look like? What does it sound like? What does it feel like? Visualize it in your mind or create a vison board full of inspirational images and writing quotes to help you “see” your achievement. Then, make a promise to yourself to put in the hard work to reach that vision.

Create positive affirmation statements. List positive statements that start with “I am” and “I will.” Use these positive affirmations to improve your mindset and overcome self-doubt. Display your favorite statements above your writing space and read them aloud each morning. Keep your statements specific and attainable. Include statements you might not necessarily believe yet. 

After time and repetition, you will feel more confident and believe in each one. Believing in yourself ultimately leads you to accomplishing your goals. The more you say it, the more you’ll believe it and the more you’ll live it.

Here are examples of positive affirmations to help start you:

• I can think and speak positively. 
• I can do anything I set my mind to with hard work and determination.
• I will complete the first draft of my book by April 12th.
• I will become a motivational speaker for teachers and children.

Develop daily writing habits. I recommend writing first thing in the morning. Set your alarm for one hour earlier and create a routine that includes a block of time for writing. Find a book writing software improves your productivity and become consistent with it. Establishing a routine will strengthen your writing muscle and develop positive habits that become automatic. You are working towards your writing goals and sticking to a writing plan every day.

Eliminate distractions when writing. In a world where distractions are coming at us from every angle, it’s important to learn how to eliminate them. Write in a place where you can fully focus on your craft. Create a writing plan, and actually follow it in a distraction-free place.

If your phone or other technology devices distract you, keep them in a separate room and make yourself earn them as a reward.

Be accountable. Hold yourself accountable by tracking your process. It can also be helpful to have an accountability partner who will check in with you regularly and provide further encouragement and tough love as you work to achieve your writing goals.

#3 – Set writing goal deadlines

You must set deadlines for any goal you’re working towards. Deadlines add a bit of pressure, which will help you fight procrastination. Make it a realistic writing goal deadline. For example, don’t set a goal to write your book in two days. Sure, it may not be impossible, especially if you hire a ghostwriter. But if you plan to write on your own, your goal needs to be realistic. 

Use a planner to record the deadlines for your writing goals. When it’s written in your calendar, you’re making it official, which will help you take it more seriously. The planner I use has a monthly view and a daily view. This helps me keep track of my monthly deadlines and the smaller daily goals I set for myself. 

On days where I feel overwhelmed, I only focus on the daily view. On days where I need to see the bigger picture, I refer to the calendar view. It’s the best of both worlds!

#4 – Plan out rewards

You deserve to be celebrated – especially after your motivation pays off for reaching a writing goal. 

You’re on your way to becoming a published author!

To remain motivated, set weekly or monthly rewards to work toward as you write your book.

It can be as simple as going out for ice cream or dinner at your favorite restaurant. Or it can be buying something for yourself that you’ve been wanting for some time now. The choice is yours. Whichever type of reward will help motivate you to achieve your goals, plan it today. 

Remember to enjoy it once you’ve earned it and be grateful for your progress! Rewards, big or small, will help you stick to the writing goals you set for yourself. Choose your favorite rewards today and keep celebrating those small successes along the way. 

#5 – Break down the writing goal

You can choose how you want to set up your goals. When setting my own goals, I start with the big picture then work backwards to help navigate what course of action needs to be taken to reach the overall goal. For example, during your early writing stage, a goal might be to create a detailed outline of one chapter per day. After 10-12 days (or however many chapters are in your book), you have a complete outline to take with you to the next step in your writing process. 

If you are further along and weeks away from your Launch Week, start by setting your launch date, then work backwards and plan the weeks prior. With the big picture in mind, I break it down into smaller goals: first weekly, then daily. This helps me know what needs to get done each day to stay on track with my ultimate goal.

#6 – Use to-do lists

You may find that writing your goals on paper is the easy part but following through is the challenge. You’re not alone! Here are tips to help you stay on track with your writing goals:

• Become a to-do list fanatic. Lists help you keep track of everything on your mind (goals, ideas, things you need to get done, worries, etc.). Writing it down helps you declutter your mind and focus on one step at a time as you work to achieve your goals!
• Prioritize your to-do list. Choose 1 – 3 tasks you MUST complete that day towards your writing goals. You can’t move onto anything else until those selected items are complete.
• Set time limits. Set a timer. Work for 20 minutes then take a break for 5 minutes. You can use this strategy throughout the writing and editing phases of your book. Work with full focus during those 20 minutes knowing you will have that 5 minute break to either walk around the house, get a snack, go outside for some fresh air, do something creative, or whatever makes you feel refreshed.
• Track your progress.  If you like visuals like I do, you can also keep track of your progress using a stoplight visual. Write your goals in the following color-coded columns: Get Movin’ (red), In Progress (yellow), and Accomplished (green). As you complete each task, move it to the correct column. It’s a magical feeling moving a task from red to yellow or yellow to green! Progress!

#7 – Do this when you get sidetracked

This all sounds nice and peachy, but there will be difficult days that make reaching your writing goal hard. Life happens! For whatever reason you are having an “off” day – because these will happen more often than you’d like – take action.

Ask yourself this question: What is at least one thing I can do today that will get me one step closer to my ultimate writing goal? Even if it’s not the most productive day you’ve had, at least you can go to sleep that night knowing you completed one important task. Be proud of the effort you put forth toward your writing goals.

It is also important to also give yourself some tough love to get back on track the next day. Remember that positive habits come from consistency. Be patient. Success may not come right away. It takes time, belief, and consistent effort.

#8 – Think positive

Remember this: You’ve got the power to choose the words you use every day, and whether your thoughts are positive or negative. When speaking or thinking about your goals, choose wisely. It’s normal to have negative thoughts like, “My writing isn’t good enough” or “I’m never going to finish this chapter.” 

The key is to dismiss the negativity. Re-frame your mindset. For example, instead of thinking about how much more you have to write, think about how much you’ve already written. Positive thinking leads to positive actions, which leads to a positive life. 

#9 – Imagine achieving your writing goals 

If we acknowledge the entire mountain, but then focus on one step at a time, it will help us reach that breathtaking view at the “top.” It takes baby steps, determination, and a positive mindset.