DEAR WRITER: Your simple, S.M.A.R.T., and sexy writing career plan - Part V - Progress points and an example

PART FIVE: PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION

Now, when writing out your writing career goals, think progress not perfection. You’re probably not going to get to DONE or SUCCESSFUL in a week or a month if your goal is big enough.

It may help to break down each Year One goal into four check-in assessments. You will be able to track your progress and make adjustments as necessary, so you always know how you’re tracking.

●       GOAL + ACTION + EMO #1:

❖  Quarter One Goal:

❖  Quarter Two Goal:

❖  Quarter Three Goal:

❖  Quarter Four Goal:

●       GOAL + ACTION + EMO #2:

❖  Quarter One Goal:

❖  Quarter Two Goal:

❖  Quarter Three Goal:

❖  Quarter Four Goal:

●       GOAL + ACTION + EMO #3:

❖  Quarter One Goal:

❖  Quarter Two Goal:

❖  Quarter Three Goal:

❖  Quarter Four Goal:

 Take a look at your PAIN and PLEASURE emo list noting their probable opposite nature. Right now, you are probably basing some or all of your worth on achieving your goal. Like, if you get that publishing deal, you’ll be positively ecstatic and if you don’t get it, you’ll be down in the dumps. That’s OK.

Your work is to transform your beliefs towards loving and liking yourself–no matter what you achieve. I know we hear this all the time, but it really is about the process.

Schedule check-ins on your calendar to reassess your goals every 90 days. Of course, your goals may not go as linear, but this plan gives you room to adjust and expand as necessary. Keep going, you can do this :)

EXAMPLE OF A SIMPLE, S.M.A.R.T. & SEXY WRITING GOAL:

DESIRES:

 I want my story to inspire women to live free even during a late-stage capitalistic polycrisis. I want to write an award-winning memoir. I want to see my name in print and know that I made an effort beyond sitting around and doomscrolling.

SMART GOAL #1:

I know I will have realized my goal when I see my name in print alongside my memoir-essay piece in Witness Magazine by the end of the year.

EMO LIST OF PLEASURE:

When I achieve this goal I will feel fulfilled, so into myself, free, proud, and on my path.

EMO LIST OF PAIN:

If I don’t achieve this goal I will feel lost, really sad, and disappointed.

FORCED ACTIONS:

Compare myself to other writers and their progress and cute awards. Take a ton of workshops unrelated to my desired goal because any workshop is great right? Force myself to write when I am exhausted. Rely on inspiration to write. Write for 5 hours every day after my late-evening shift.

INSPIRED ACTIONS:

Take a class with this super amazing memoir teacher named Hannah Eko, read a memoir piece in Witness every week, schedule three hours of writing into my week, work with an editor who understands my vision, and go on a writing retreat.

QUARTER ONE GOALS: Read five memoir-essays on Witness and finish rough draft of piece. Check-in Date March 21.

QUARTER TWO GOAL: Take a class with Witness where I workshop my memoir-essay. Check-in date June 22.

QUARTER THREE GOAL: Revise memoir-essay and/or have memoir-essay edited by a professional. Submit piece to Witness and a host of literary magazines and/or contests I love. Check-in date September 22.

QUARTER FOUR GOAL: Published in Witness or elsewhere. If not, assess piece and possibly resubmit. Check-in date December 22.

Best of luck on your writing career plan.

This resource is always available for you should you need to check in with yourself :)