Now that I completed my first big milestone by writing my 100th article on eHow, I must create a new goal or I will falter on my writing journey. Creating goals can keep you motivated and on track for the next accomplishment. Having a goal can keep you focused and determined. Goals provide a sense of purpose. Goal setting is a process to help guide your future for short-term or long-term vision.
If you have every taken any type of goal setting seminar or class, you may be familiar with the SMART acronym when it comes to creating goals. Goals should be:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Timebound
Specific Goals.
Instead of creating a generic goal statement, be specific. A general goal statement is not as focused. For instance, "I want to write more often," is not very specific. A better statement would be, "I will write in my blog at least twice a week."
Measurable Goals.
It may be difficult to know if a goal has been accomplished if there are not ways to measure the goal. If a goal is to write 20 articles or lose 10 pounds, you have something to strive for instead of just simple phrases like "write more" or "lose weight".
Attainable Goals.
Strive for realistic goals. Setting up goals that are not reachable can be frustrating and potential for failure. If you can not realistically reach the goal, it will seem overwhelming and exhausting. Another way to set realistic goals, is to start small. By setting small, attainable goals, there is a better chance to achieving those goals than if you shoot for the improbable.
Relevant Goals.
Be sure your goals are in alignment for what you want to accomplish. The goals should be relevant to your interests and purpose in life. Sometimes, people create goals not based on their interests, but what others believe they should accomplish. If you do not want to get a Ph.D or become a fiction writer, do not create goals that support this.
Timebound Goals.
It is essential to set a time frame in which to reach a goal. If you have a goal to run a marathon someday, you probably will never get there. Create small goals with specific time lines for each goal along the way. For instance, setting up a goal to run 3 miles a day 4 times a week is a more achievable goal.
Other helpful tips for achieving goals is to stay positive and do not let missed goals get you down. It is normal to not reach every single goal as you planned to do. Another way to facilitate goal setting is to write your goals down. Just seeing the words and imprinting them into your mind can help give that extra motivation and focus.
Shoot for Performance Goals, Not Outcome.
Performance goals are appropriate for establishing writing goals. However, on eHow, or any other income producing writing endeavor, some people establish goals based on earnings. "My goal is to earn $100 this month." This is outcome based which is not always possible or under your control. Realistically, for freelance writing, or any non-salary based job, this is unrealistic, uncontrollable, and can lead to potential disappointment. Instead, chose a goal you have control over. "I will write 2o articles in April." This goal is based on your performance, which is more under your control.
Now, for my SMART goal: I will write 10 more articles for Suite 101 by May 1st. I can do this and I will. Stay tuned!
