How to Set Realistic Writing Goals for 2025 (Writing Goals You’ll Actually Achieve)
It’s time to claim 2025 as the year you write your book! The start of a new year can bring on a time of reflection. Many writers are looking to set goals that will help them grow and stay consistent. But often, lofty ambitions can lead to burnout, frustration, or even quitting.
How do you set goals that are not only realistic but also motivating? Here are some actionable strategies to make this your most productive and satisfying writing year yet.
Key Takeaways:
Use the beginning of a new year to reflect on your writing journey can help you set new intentions.
Setting realistic and measurable goals will help you stay motivated.
Find the tools, community, and support needed to keep you accountable to making consistent progress.
Reflect on Your 2024 Writing Journey
As with any great journey, being able to look back at what has been working and what hasn’t can provide powerful insights. In 2024, did you achieve your writing goals? Did you overcommit or set vague goals? Understanding your past writing habits can help you create a plan that plays to your strengths and addresses areas for improvement.
Here are a few questions to reflect on:
What writing goals did I achieve?
What am I most proud of that I achieved and why?
What obstacles held me back?
What kind of writing process made me feel excited and accomplished?
Set SMART Goals
Now, shifting the focus to 2025, what would you like to see happen with your writing? Where do you want to focus your efforts? It can be helpful to start with a brainstorm before setting specific goals. Have fun with this—dream big!
When you’re ready to set specific goals, make them SMART goals. This stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Instead of saying, “I want to write a novel,” try, “I will write 500 words a day, 5 days a week, and complete my first draft of 70,000 words by June 30, 2025.” SMART goals provide clarity and structure, making them easier to stick to.
Break Big Goals into Smaller Steps
If your goal is feeling large, big, or overwhelming—breathe. Having a big goal is amazing! Now, let’s break down this goal so it feels less overwhelming. Maybe the idea of completing an entire manuscript feels daunting. Let’s break it down:
Goal: Write a 70,000-word novel in 2025.
Breakdown: Write 5,833 words per month or about 1,354 words per week. If you can only write three times per week, that’s 452 words per writing session.
Does that sound doable? Creating smaller, manageable milestones helps maintain momentum and make the larger goal feel achievable.
If you broke down your goal above and it still feels too overwhelming, how might you adjust the goal to feel more manageable?
You’ve got this!
Prioritize Consistency Over Perfection
It’s easy to get stuck striving for perfection, but consistent progress is more important. Make writing a regular habit, even if it’s just for 5-15 minutes a day. Consistency is key because it builds confidence and helps you develop a sustainable writing practice.
Leave Room for Flexibility
Life happens, and unexpected events can disrupt even the best-laid plans. Build flexibility into your goals. For instance, if you plan to write every day, allow yourself “grace days” to recover from setbacks without feeling discouraged. If you end up missing a writing session, don’t beat yourself up. Don’t force yourself to write twice as much the next time you sit down to write, just allow yourself to get back into the rhythm of writing when you can. Life is all about flexibility!
Celebrate Milestones
Recognize and reward your progress along the way. Showed up for a writing session? Finished a chapter? Celebrate with a treat or a warm cup of tea. Reached your monthly word count? Share your achievement with a writing community. Celebrating each milestone—no matter how small—keeps you motivated.
Join a Writing Community
Accountability is key to staying on track. Find a group of fellow like-minded writers who can encourage you, offer feedback, and hold you accountable for meeting your goals. Online communities, local writing groups, or even accountability partners can make a big difference.
Track Your Progress
Keep a record of your writing achievements, whether it’s through a journal, an app, or a simple spreadsheet. Tracking your progress allows you to see how far you’ve come and helps you identify patterns in your productivity.
Balance Writing with Rest
Burnout is the enemy of creativity. Schedule regular breaks and downtime to recharge. A rested mind is far more productive and imaginative.
Revisit and Adjust Your Goals Regularly
Your priorities may shift throughout the year, and that’s okay. Check in with your goals regularly to ensure they still align with your vision and make adjustments as needed. You are not a failure or not “doing enough” if you have to make adjustments. You’re human, life happens, and we’re all just out here trying to make it happen. Adjust as you need to and keep moving in the direction of your book dreams!
Moral of this story? By setting realistic and achievable writing goals, you’re setting yourself up for a fulfilling and productive 2025.
Remember: the journey of a writer is a marathon, not a sprint. Celebrate your progress, stay consistent, and keep writing your narrative—your way, unapologetically!
Looking to connect with like-minded writers for writing, learning, and mutual support? Join the WriteConnect Community and stay inspired all year long.
