S.M.A.R.T. Goals
If you have ever had a life coach or a goal-setting journal, you’ve heard about S.M.A.R.T. Goals. It’s a tool to help increase your chances of achievement in important areas of your life. Without deadlines, focus, and achievability it’s all too easy to procrastinate.
S.M.A.R.T. stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-Bound.
So instead of saying “my goal is to be a writer” you would say “my goal is to write for two hours every day”.
I am a big fan of S.M.A.R.T. Goals. However, as a writer, it can be a little tricky. Every writer I know has goals like:
- My goal is to sign with a lit manager by the of the year.
- My goal is to win a competition.
Are Your S.M.A.R.T. Goals Within Your Control?
As a writer, you can’t control who is going to like you and your art. Art is subjective. The only thing you can control are the actions you take. How much you write, the number of classes you take and cold queries you send out, etc.
It’s ironic that people say they want to be a writer, but they can’t do the hardest part. Sitting down to write. But this is one of the few things you control. This mindset impassions me to put my energy towards the things I have control over. It increases my output and stamina to do more.
Below are some examples of common writing goals which are then re-written using the S.M.A.R.T. mindset.
S.M.A.R.T. Goal Examples
Instead of “I want to sign with a lit manager by 2023″, try “I want to send out five blind queries every day.”
Instead of “I want to win a screenwriting competition within the year”, try “I want to submit to two writing competitions every month” or “I want to submit to five TV and Film writing Fellowships every year.”
Try:
“I want to take three new TV writing classes this year.”
“My goal is to write one page every day.”
“I want to get five people to give me feedback on my script by the end of the month.”
Can you tell the difference? Do you agree it makes you feel more empowered to act? Let us know how it works for you.
Book Recommendations
We have recommendations to make you a goal-setting, productivity master.
Atomic Habits – An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
BestSelf Journal – A powerful yet simple 13-week goal planner designed to optimize your day, tackle your goals and live a more fulfilled life.
Written by Susan Sassi
Susan Sassi’s scripts have received recognition from Austin Film Fest, Women In Film, Emerging Writers, CineStory, Fresh Voices, The ‘Breakk’, Stage 32, Genre Screenwriting Contest, and ScreenCraft TV Writing Contest. You can find her satire in The Belladonna, Weekly Humorist, Slackjaw, Widget, Robot Butt, Jane Austen’s Wastebasket, and Greener Pastures. Website | Medium |Twitter
