Our Goals Process
If you'd like to learn about this process in video form, download the Worksheets above and then watch this Goal Setting Video (43 minutes).
STEP ONE: Set your Intention
We always suggest you start with your intention. This is your long-term vision of where you want to be in your writing career. It's the outcome you seek. Since it's partly beyond your direct control (in that agents, publishers, readers, and the market in general will have much to say about it), you should avoid putting schedules or specifics into the statement. Instead, choose a dream and make it come alive for you with a simple, active, present-tense statement about the future you seek. Be as woo-woo or as pragmatic as you like. Just remember, this is your over-arching vision that will power you through the tough times and keep you focused on the big picture.
Examples:
I am a published author.
I write books people love.
I live in a world where people can't wait to read my next book.
My (novels / memoirs / poems / books) inspire millions.
STEP TWO: Choose your Targets
Determine the project or projects you want to complete during a specific time period. These "targets" should be medium- to long-term achievements that will significantly help you on the journey to your intention. Targets will often contain elements that are beyond your control (i.e., "Get an Agent" requires an agent to choose you), but should always be as detailed and clear as possible. "Get at least 500 followers of my blog" is better than "Get more followers for my blog."
These are targets you will aim for and try to hit, but they should always be just a little bit beyond what you think you can accomplish. The best targets are ones that will push you and be attainable only when your hard work meets up with an open opportunity. For this reason, failure is always possible and even inevitable if you're choosing your targets well. Indeed, if you're not failing on a somewhat regular basis, you're probably not setting your sights high enough. Part of the support we strive to provide at Delve Writing is the reassurance and encouragement to help you set your sights on a new target if you ever miss an existing one.
Examples (grouped by Focus area):
CREATION: Produce a rough draft by June 30, Complete a full revision by July 15th, etc.
PUBLICATION: Get an agent by the end of the year, Sign a publishing contract this year, Self-publish a book in December, etc.
MARKETING: Get reviews from 20+ bloggers by the time my book is published on November 10th, Post 2 entries a week on my blog for 3 months, Win at least 2 writing contests before I turn 42, etc.
OTHER (Craft/Critique, Research, etc.): Get critiques from 5 beta-readers this summer, Become an expert on medieval astronomy by August 1st, Take my craft to the next level this summer, etc.
You can use this Targets Worksheet to help you put your targets in writing. Remember to stretch yourself, to make each target detailed, and to put timeframe on everything. You'll notice that the first thing on the worksheet is a space for your Intention statement. We believe in writing that statement out every time you make a new target because it keeps you focused on your biggest ambition and can provide good motivation for your actions.
STEP THREE: Set and Accomplish your Goals
This is where the rubber meets the road, the noses hit the grindstones, and writers become authors and authors become legends. Every week, in conjunction with your Delve Writing check-in, you will set one or more goals for the week. Each goal should be connected to one of the targets you're pursuing. Unlike the Targets, however, which represent stretch ambitions that may be partly beyond your control, your goals should be 100% in your power. This is vital!
Week-after-week, we want you to meet your goals and build confidence in yourself as a writer. To do this, we advocate using the S.M.A.R.T. framework for setting meaningful goals. You can read about that framework and set your weekly goals on our Goals Worksheet. Use the calendar area to schedule EXACTLY when you plan to do the work to accomplish your goal. Yes, life will get in the way and you'll occasionally hit roadblocks, but you will give yourself the best chance for success by explicitly scheduling when you're going to accomplish exactly what parts of your goals, and then sticking to that plan.
If you can anticipate the potential for problems in any given week, use the "Notes" section to jot down a back-up plan. If you miss one or more of your goals in a week, or if you have questions about the S.M.A.R.T. framework or about whether your goals fit the criteria or are appropriate for where you are in your career, please talk to us during the Dig-in portion of your weekly Check-in. That's precisely what that time is for.
Examples:
TARGET: Produce a rough draft by June 30
GOAL: Write 2000 words
SCHEDULE: 500/day x 4 days (M-Th 8a-12p)
TARGET: Get an agent
GOAL: Send 5 Personal, Researched Queries
SCHEDULE: 3 on Monday (1p-5p), 2 on Thursday (6p-8p)
TARGET: Get reviews from 20+ bloggers by the time my book is published on November 10th
GOAL: Connect with at least 3 book-bloggers (Find at least 15, Read at least 5 entries from each, Respond to at least 2 posts, Email to connect)
SCHEDULE: M/W/Th 5p-7p
TARGET: Take my craft to the next level this summer
GOAL: Attend Delve's Special Guest seminar
SCHEDULE: Tuesday 6:30 pm
STEP ONE: Set your Intention
We always suggest you start with your intention. This is your long-term vision of where you want to be in your writing career. It's the outcome you seek. Since it's partly beyond your direct control (in that agents, publishers, readers, and the market in general will have much to say about it), you should avoid putting schedules or specifics into the statement. Instead, choose a dream and make it come alive for you with a simple, active, present-tense statement about the future you seek. Be as woo-woo or as pragmatic as you like. Just remember, this is your over-arching vision that will power you through the tough times and keep you focused on the big picture.
Examples:
I am a published author.
I write books people love.
I live in a world where people can't wait to read my next book.
My (novels / memoirs / poems / books) inspire millions.
STEP TWO: Choose your Targets
Determine the project or projects you want to complete during a specific time period. These "targets" should be medium- to long-term achievements that will significantly help you on the journey to your intention. Targets will often contain elements that are beyond your control (i.e., "Get an Agent" requires an agent to choose you), but should always be as detailed and clear as possible. "Get at least 500 followers of my blog" is better than "Get more followers for my blog."
These are targets you will aim for and try to hit, but they should always be just a little bit beyond what you think you can accomplish. The best targets are ones that will push you and be attainable only when your hard work meets up with an open opportunity. For this reason, failure is always possible and even inevitable if you're choosing your targets well. Indeed, if you're not failing on a somewhat regular basis, you're probably not setting your sights high enough. Part of the support we strive to provide at Delve Writing is the reassurance and encouragement to help you set your sights on a new target if you ever miss an existing one.
Examples (grouped by Focus area):
CREATION: Produce a rough draft by June 30, Complete a full revision by July 15th, etc.
PUBLICATION: Get an agent by the end of the year, Sign a publishing contract this year, Self-publish a book in December, etc.
MARKETING: Get reviews from 20+ bloggers by the time my book is published on November 10th, Post 2 entries a week on my blog for 3 months, Win at least 2 writing contests before I turn 42, etc.
OTHER (Craft/Critique, Research, etc.): Get critiques from 5 beta-readers this summer, Become an expert on medieval astronomy by August 1st, Take my craft to the next level this summer, etc.
You can use this Targets Worksheet to help you put your targets in writing. Remember to stretch yourself, to make each target detailed, and to put timeframe on everything. You'll notice that the first thing on the worksheet is a space for your Intention statement. We believe in writing that statement out every time you make a new target because it keeps you focused on your biggest ambition and can provide good motivation for your actions.
STEP THREE: Set and Accomplish your Goals
This is where the rubber meets the road, the noses hit the grindstones, and writers become authors and authors become legends. Every week, in conjunction with your Delve Writing check-in, you will set one or more goals for the week. Each goal should be connected to one of the targets you're pursuing. Unlike the Targets, however, which represent stretch ambitions that may be partly beyond your control, your goals should be 100% in your power. This is vital!
Week-after-week, we want you to meet your goals and build confidence in yourself as a writer. To do this, we advocate using the S.M.A.R.T. framework for setting meaningful goals. You can read about that framework and set your weekly goals on our Goals Worksheet. Use the calendar area to schedule EXACTLY when you plan to do the work to accomplish your goal. Yes, life will get in the way and you'll occasionally hit roadblocks, but you will give yourself the best chance for success by explicitly scheduling when you're going to accomplish exactly what parts of your goals, and then sticking to that plan.
If you can anticipate the potential for problems in any given week, use the "Notes" section to jot down a back-up plan. If you miss one or more of your goals in a week, or if you have questions about the S.M.A.R.T. framework or about whether your goals fit the criteria or are appropriate for where you are in your career, please talk to us during the Dig-in portion of your weekly Check-in. That's precisely what that time is for.
Examples:
TARGET: Produce a rough draft by June 30
GOAL: Write 2000 words
SCHEDULE: 500/day x 4 days (M-Th 8a-12p)
TARGET: Get an agent
GOAL: Send 5 Personal, Researched Queries
SCHEDULE: 3 on Monday (1p-5p), 2 on Thursday (6p-8p)
TARGET: Get reviews from 20+ bloggers by the time my book is published on November 10th
GOAL: Connect with at least 3 book-bloggers (Find at least 15, Read at least 5 entries from each, Respond to at least 2 posts, Email to connect)
SCHEDULE: M/W/Th 5p-7p
TARGET: Take my craft to the next level this summer
GOAL: Attend Delve's Special Guest seminar
SCHEDULE: Tuesday 6:30 pm