The 8 Writing Goals You Should Set for 2022
Tips to improve your writing skills
As you may have noticed, there are plenty of different opinions on what makes a great writer, and all writers have to come up with their own way of doing things that works best for them.
However, there are some goals all writers should set themselves to achieve at one point or another throughout their writing career, even if they decide to change their approach later on.
Here are the eight writing goals you might try in 2022.
Commit to Daily Writing
The best way to produce more writing is to make it a part of your daily routine. If you’re serious about being a writer, then you need to treat it like a real job.
Put in just as much effort and make sure that each day counts. There’s no magic pill — no overnight success story.
It takes time and perseverance to master your craft; however, setting achievable goals can help push you along the path.
One goal you should set for yourself is to write at least one thousand words per day. Do that every single day in 2022 and you’ll have written over 65,000 words by year-end!
That may not seem like a lot now, but imagine how far those numbers will add up after five years. Plus, if you stick with it long enough, there’s no telling what kind of impact those extra words will have on your career.
Write Every Day on Time
It can be tough to find time to write in a busy life. It takes a high level of commitment and discipline, but if you have set yourself up with clear writing goals, your writing time should become something you look forward to every day.
Keep in mind that writing every day doesn’t mean churning out as much content as possible; it means setting aside time so that you’re able to work on your long-term goals and ideas for future articles.
Make sure you know what you need to do each day before sitting down at your desk or computer. Clear everything else off your desk and turn off all distractions (including notifications) so that there’s no chance anything will interrupt your flow.
If you’ve never written consistently before, try to sit down at least three times per week and aim for five times per week after two months of daily practice.
Create an Environment That Helps You Focus
Getting distracted is very easy when you’re trying to be productive. A calendar with pre-planned events and tasks can help you stay on track — but it also means you have to plan in advance.
If that sounds daunting, try something simpler: keeping a small notebook nearby (if pen and paper are your things) or getting into a habit of making notes on your phone so that it’s always with you.
Even small barriers between you and distraction (like putting your phone on silent) can make a big difference in how much time you spend writing versus scrolling through Instagram or playing Candy Crush.
To boost productivity, set daily goals: one hour at lunchtime, three hours after dinner every night, etc.
Don’t Let Anything Stop You From Your Goals
It’s okay to have goals, but it’s never okay to let them get in your way.
Setting any kind of goal — whether it’s writing a book or finishing up a dissertation is an exercise in dreaming big and pushing yourself to do what you might not otherwise be able to do.
But as much as these goals are necessary, they also need some proper guidance so that they achieve what you want them to achieve.
Think of it like setting a course on your GPS or map app: It’s fine, but if you don’t pay attention and follow along, you might end up somewhere totally different than where you originally intended.
Celebrate Yourself When You Reach Your Goals
After you hit your goal, reward yourself — it’s important to make sure that your hard work doesn’t go unrewarded.
There are dozens of ways to reward yourself; I love trips to my favorite bookstores or coffee shops. Think about what makes you happy and then give yourself a gift.
It will help keep you motivated as well as remind you how much fun it is to be a writer. Just remember: anything goes as long as it motivates and excites you.
Take Care of Yourself
Being a writer is hard work. Aspiring writers tend to underestimate how difficult it can be to keep their heads in the game when stress and doubt creep in. But it’s just as important to take care of yourself as it is to write, edit, and publish.
Try incorporating some time each day (or week) into your schedule that’s designated just for you. During that time, allow yourself some self-care: Take a walk, go to therapy or take up a new hobby — whatever gives you energy and gets you recharged.
Have more ideas? Share them below in our comments section.
Do Not Compare Yourself To Others
One of my favorite quotes is by Scott Stabile, author of Write Better, Faster:
Your goal should not be to become a better writer than me or Stephen King or John Grisham or your mom. Your goal should be to become a better writer than you were yesterday.
I couldn’t agree more. What we do as writers isn’t some sort of competition, so let’s stop treating it like one. Whether you want to finish a book, get an agent, publish a novella online, or write for magazines or newsletters — set realistic goals and then work toward them.
Read, Read, Read (at least 30 minutes a day!)
One of my favorite writers, Stephen King, has a fantastic philosophy about reading. If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have time or the tools to write. Simple as that.
While it might be tough to fit in 30 minutes a day if you’re already bogged down with work and family responsibilities, start by carving out 10–15 minutes at lunch (or on your commute).
No matter how busy we are, I think we can all spare 15 minutes a day to read something new. Plus…this way when someone asks you what books you recommend they read next, you’ll have an answer. Even better?
Final Thoughts
Now is a good time to reflect on your current writing goals or lack thereof. For many writers, self-motivation is difficult at best and impossible at worst.
But self-management — knowing what you want to do, why you want to do it, and how you’re going to get there isn’t rocket science. In fact, it’s much simpler than that.
Think about where you want to be a year from now and make specific plans (with realistic deadlines) along with monthly goals that will help lead up to those big-picture targets: Study X hours per week; submit X query letters/articles/essays; write X words every day.
And don’t forget accountability. Good luck.
