Smash Your Writing Goals: A Simplified Guide for Getting It Done
Let’s be honest – writing a book isn’t easy. If it were, we wouldn’t see so many half-finished manuscripts tucked away in drawers or abandoned on hard drives. But with the right routine and mindset, you can turn your writing goals into reality. Here are eight ways you can achieve your writing goals!
Make Time to Write
This is the most obvious one, but it’s not about simply “making” time to write, it’s about intentionally carving out dedicated chunks in your routine to write. Block out writing sessions like important appointments and make sure they are achievable, as there’s no point in promising yourself you can write x number of hours a week if your schedule doesn’t allow it. It’s better to write for short periods of time than not at all! After all, it’s not time that is the issue, it’s usually motivation, but if you waited to only write when motivation struck you, then you never finish a book. Consider joining a writer’s retreat to fully immerse yourself and build momentum or join a ‘Shut Up and Write’ group.
Productivity Matters
Once you’ve made time, make it count. Find the working pattern that fills you with the most energy and stick to it. This could be spending the first ten minutes reading what you did the day before and then writing for the rest of the hour, or following a structured method like Pomodoro where you work with no distractions for 20 minutes, have a 5-minute break and then repeat. The goal is to write, not just stare at the screen or have your manuscript open while you scroll on your phone. Whatever helps you stay engaged – use it.
Consistency Builds Habit
Writing regularly leads to lasting habits. It takes six weeks to build a new habit, so set yourself a challenge that has achievable targets each week until it becomes an essential part of your routine. Like any muscle, your writing gets stronger the more you use it, so not only will you write more, but you write better! Even just a few hundred words a day will add up fast and build your confidence along the way.
Create a Space You Love
Your environment affects your output and mood, so create a writing space that inspires and calms you. Whether it’s natural light, music, or total silence – set up a space that puts you in the zone. It’s also important to treat your writing space like it’s sacred; therefore, avoid having distractions there or doing other work during your writing time. That way your brain associates sitting down in this spot with writing and it becomes easier to snap into a focused flow.
Set Small, Achievable Goals
A huge book goal can feel overwhelming, so break it into small chunks that will keep you motivated – you can do this by aiming to hit daily word counts, set deadlines for finishing chapters, or simply set time-based goals like aiming for 10 hours a month. Each small win builds confidence and celebrating these milestones is essential for ongoing motivation.
Use Structure to Stay on Track
Some authors may dive into their books without planning or structure, but most will start with a framework or outline. It doesn’t need to be fancy or fully fleshed out – it just needs to guide you with how you want to start and finish. Structure helps organise your thoughts and lets you tackle sections in any order that works for you. If you have the finish sorted out, you will also be driven to reach this point when you are writing, as opposed to it being some intangible unknown destination.
First Drafts Are Meant to Be Messy
Don’t let perfectionism get in your way. No one writes a flawless first draft – not even bestselling authors. Just focus on getting the words down and know you will come back later and fix it. You can’t edit a blank page, but you can polish a rough one.
Share Your Journey
Talking about your writing helps build community and accountability. Share your progress, ideas, or struggles with others. You never know who you might inspire – or who might become your biggest supporter.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to begin.
Start small. Keep going. You’ve got this – and we’re here to help every step of the way.
