Three Attainable Writing Goals for 2022
Keep these goals in mind to build on writing successes from the past year
The start of a new year is usually about new resolutions. You typically have a list of resolutions across every aspect of your life if you are like me. But by the middle of January, it can become too overwhelming, and I abandon them.
But recently, instead of making concrete resolutions, I’ve focused more on big picture goals. Each goal is designed to keep tangible achievements in perspective. Focusing on the goals moves me even an inch closer to real results. They are broad, and with only a few specifics, so I can’t get overwhelmed.
This year, I’m building on what I perceive to be my successes in writing from 2021. Below are three attainable writing goals for 2022.
Make progress on 1–2 key writing projects
Writers are by nature curious, filled with multiple stories and writing projects. I always have a running list of ideas and stories in my head, in my writing journal, and on notecards scattered throughout my office. But I know I can’t get to all of them simply because there are not enough hours in a day.
This year I’m focusing on two key writing projects. They are the same as last year — working on a draft novel and writing on Medium. Last year, after being a Medium member for almost ten years, I finally took the plunge and started publishing content. It was a huge step for me, and this year, I’m focusing on sustaining momentum and seeing if I can be even more productive.
I also wrote the first draft for a novel. This year, I want to focus on getting a second draft of the story down on paper. I know at this rate, it may be years before it could ever possibly get published, but I’m of the mind that “slow and steady wins the race.”
Identify my writing brand and build upon it without getting distracted
When I started writing on Medium, I knew that I would have to stay focused on what subjects I wanted to write for publication. I started out focusing on environmental, energy, and climate change topics as I’m interested in learning more about issues in these areas and sharing what I discover with readers. It’s also where I started my journalism career a long time ago, so I was comfortable exploring that world once again.
I also wrote a couple of personal essays because I think they are a great form of writing if I want to become a better writer. Personal essays allow me to get comfortable with being vulnerable as a writer as I explore stories or ideas that I think can help me understand my growth as a person.
This year, I want to keep my brand in mind as I develop articles. I also want to expand my brand to include one additional topic — communication. As a communications and public relations professional, I feel that it is essential to understand how we relate to each other is vital from a personal and business perspective. I’m looking forward to learning about the latest communication strategies and theories with my readers.
Remember to be easy on myself
Writing for me is an outlet to express myself, explore topics I want to know more about and tell stories with characters filled with multiple layers. But like most writers, I can be hard on myself. It can be stressful to be a productive writer, from imposter syndrome to putting pressure on myself that I’m not doing enough.
This year, I hope to be kinder to myself as a writer. Understanding that sometimes life gets in the way — with work, family, friends, travel — I may not always have time to work on my writing. Working on telling myself that it’s okay not to write every day or even publish every week will help me be more productive in the long run. Writing can be an endorphin rush, and I know that the more pieces I post and the feedback I receive will result in my desire to produce more content.
