How to set goals like you mean it!

January isn't the only month for reflecting, planning, and goal setting! Every month, week, and day is time to reflect, plan, and review the progress of your goals!

As authors, we’re writing every day (or we try to) to hit our word count goals. I’m right there with you! I’m always thinking about how I can write faster, write more productively, and set my day up for success. 

The time we have to write a day is different for us all. You might only have time in the mornings, or during lunch breaks, or in the evenings. The one thing that is clear though is that if we don’t set goals, and if we don’t actively work to complete them, our time gets sucked in by other things.  

So let’s get goal-setting! 

HOW TO SET GOALS LIKE YOU MEAN IT 

01. Define success 

Define what success looks like for you. Writing full time? Six-figure income? The next J.K. Rowling? Really examine what a successful author journey would look like for you because by doing this, by defining your version of success, you create a point of reference to measure yourself against. You can easily assess whether you’re on the right track or not and can track your progress along the way more effectively.

You’ll be in a position of strength and not one of uncertainty.  

So, what does success look like for you?

02. Articulate your vision

Your vision goes hand in hand with defining what success looks like to you. Now that you have that answer, what does your dream life look like? Where do you live? In what house do you like? Who is spending your life with you? Are you traveling? What does your days and weeks look like? Who many books do you want to write? How many copies do you want to sell? What lists do you want to hit? What awards do you want to win?

Really dig deep into your dream life.

And write you vision down on paper. You know, once it's on paper it's no longer a dream but a plan!

03. Set your goals 

Goals are the stepping stones on your path to success. You’ve defined what success looks like for you. You know what drives you. Now it’s time to create the path that gets you there. 

Take a few minutes and write down some goals. 

While you’re writing them, keep these goal-setting hacks in mind: 

• Keep your goals specific

• Set a timeline for your goals

• Don’t set more than 12 big goals for the year. Why? Because you’ll get overwhelmed and burn out. Except maybe if you’re a robot! But trust me, twelve is enough. I don’t even have twelve. I have five on my non-fiction side and five on my fiction side and these are big yearly goals, which will grow my platform.

• Break your big goals down into quarterly goals

• Break your quarterly goals down into monthly goals

• Break your monthly goals down into small, weekly and daily tasks

• Constantly reevaluate your goals. What’s working and what’s not working. Pivot and adjust

04. Reward yourself 

How do you plan to reward yourself every time you hit your monthly or quarterly goals? Having a reward system brings an element of excitement to the table. Come up with something really nice for yourself like a spa day or a massage or a weekend retreat. Something you will look forward to! 

05. Act 

Action is the key to accomplish your goals. Always start with the top three to five tasks that will move the needle in favor of your monthly goals which will move the needle of your quarterly goals and eventually your yearly goals.

Don’t leave your desk until you do!  

Now go set some goals!

P.S. Always make sure your goals are aligned with your soul.