When you don't hit your writing goals
And how to succeed the next time around
Around this time of year, I start to think about what I want to accomplish in the new year, not because I’m overly concerned about New Year resolutions1, but there’s something about the slowing down in December leading up to the start of a fresh calendar year and the potential that comes with the energy that surrounds the start of another 365 days, that makes me want to reflect and plan ahead.
September has a similar energy for me, but I think January is more potent, maybe because here in Canada, it’s cold, dark and my entire being wants to hibernate2. Go inward instead of outward. I don’t feel pressure to do or be anywhere because no one else wants to go outside or do things either (enter cancel plans until spring). In the past I’ve done my deepest writing work in the winter, so as the cold months approach, I feel an insatiable urge to cozy up, light a candle and write.
What I did (and didn’t) accomplish
As I reflected on 2024, the first half of the year I accomplished a decent amount of what I wanted. I revised my manuscript (again), queried agents (again), and continued to publish here on Substack. I started two separate manuscripts, the second one I started sort of by accident after the main character came to me in a dream, but trying to negotiate two different stories in my mind fractured my attention and momentum with both.
What I actually set out to do at the start of the year was to complete another draft and I didn’t. I kept moving my sticky notes reminding me of my word count goals, to the next month and the next month, until I got to December and didn’t hit any of the major word count goals I’d set out for myself, let alone finish a draft.
When I started to think about not meeting one of the main writing goals I had for myself, I initially felt disappointed. I know how to make time for writing. I’ve done it for years and I’d found time to write two manuscripts while working full-time and parenting (plus life), so I knew it was possible. Instead, I spent a lot of my day trying to find paying freelance work or doing said freelance work, chalking up my novel writing as indulgent and irresponsible, which is funny is some ways because I chose to freelance full time in order to give myself more time to work on my creative projects. Oh the irony!
Looking back to plan ahead
It’s tempting to just forge ahead and think, “Who cares what happened last time, it’ll be different this time.” If that’s where your brain is (it’s where I started), the reality is it’s hard to make changes if you don’t know why things weren’t working for you in the first place. Enter: self-reflection. It’s not the easiest thing to do, but there’s scientific evidence proving its value, with benefits ranging from improved life satisfaction to positive increases in your overall well-being.
“Reflection gives the brain an opportunity to pause amidst the chaos, untangle and sort through observations and experiences, consider multiple possible interpretations, and create meaning,” Jennifer Porter, an executive and team coach wrote for the Harvard Business Review.
The reason I didn’t complete a draft was for a multitude of reasons. Here are a few.
When I gave myself time to write, I didn’t follow through because I kept fretting about my potential lack of income, arguably getting paid work is more important than a creative project that comes with no guaranteed end result.
I didn’t intentionally carve out writing time for my novel, as I had in the past.
I started a new full-time gig and had freelance writing work to do in the other hours of the day, so I didn’t have any extra time or energy to do my creative work.
In order to self-reflect, you need to give yourself the time and space to be honest with yourself about why things resulted the way they did. Don’t shame yourself for your behaviour. That’s counterproductive. For example, if you didn’t meet your writing goals because you couldn’t find the time in your calendar, but you reflect and realize you spend three hours a night watching TV, note it and figure out how to adjust.
As you think about it more, you come to the conclusion that you love to relax with TV and it inspires you creatively, but you can see how it’s clearly eating into your free time. When you look to move forward, maybe you decide to cut your TV watching to two hours and then spend that extra hour with writing or you only watch TV on Tuesday and Thursday nights, using the other weekdays to write. This is just one example of how self-reflection can set you up for success.
How to avoid rumination
Unfortunately, for some, looking inward can create anxious thoughts and feelings, Brie Scolaro, a licensed clinical social worker, told Success. And some people can focus too much on their problems that it can lead to rumination. If you’re in this camp, experts suggest engaging in physical activity, practicing meditation, getting outside in nature, distracting yourself with other activities and of course, seeking assistance from a mental health professional if needed3.
When I get a little too hyper-fixated on something, I find a walk tends to iron out those kinks quite well (and fast!), as does talking to someone I trust or sleeping on it. Sometimes those nagging, swirling thoughts dissolve after a good night’s sleep.
Steps to success the next time around
Have I convinced you that a little self-reflection can help you with your writing goals? Honestly, if I didn’t take the time to self-reflect myself, I would probably be telling you a year from now that I didn’t finish another draft for all of the reasons listed above.
Here’s how to get started:
Journal or jot down what worked/didn’t work. You don’t have to be precious about this. It could literally be bullet points. The goal is that you’re actively thinking about what you did and why.
Uncover the root. It’s one thing to say, “Oh, I didn’t write enough this year.” OK, that’s a start. But why? Did you not make the time? Do you think the only way to write is to have three hours of uninterrupted time (it’s not). Did you make time but then wasted it on social media (I may or may not have done this)? It doesn’t matter why, it matters what you do with the why.
Come up with some solutions. If you really struggle with focus, maybe you want to test out putting your phone in another room or write on paper instead of a computer. You might come up with a few solutions for one issue and that’s great. Try testing one and see if it works, if it doesn’t, try another.
Reflect with someone else. It can be difficult to live inside the vacuum that’s our brains. If you feel comfortable, consider talking to someone else about your challenges — maybe it’s a trusted friend, another writer, a coach or your partner. Pick someone who will actually listen and give you some good advice.
Made a concrete goal. Don’t worry I’m not going to go into the SMART goals, but that method certainly doesn’t hurt when making a plan for yourself. Personally, I like to get specific, so I’m going to set out a date when I want to have my manuscript completed with an estimated word count and work backwards. I might have to adjust my goal date, as I realistically establish what I know about how fast I can produce and how much time I have to devote in that time period. Don’t feel pressure to create like anyone else. You might be a “slow” writer and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you know that’s how you operate, then be realistic when it comes to planning out your timeline.
When the goal isn’t in your control
Your goal for 2025 might be to get an agent. It was my goal for 2023 and 2024. It’s now moved to 2025. The reality is that this particular goal isn’t fully in my control. I can write a manuscript and can query it, but I can’t control if an agent will want to represent me. My advice to you if your goal hinges on the actions of someone else, is to focus on what you can control. I can control my writing. I can control how much time I spend on learning the craft of writing. I can control whether or not I want to hire a developmental editor or book coach. I can’t control the publishing industry. I can’t control the taste of agents. I can’t control trends.
It’s totally fair to be frustrated with the things you can’t control, but don’t let these things distract from what you can influence because at the end of the day it’s what you can control that matters.
The only New Year resolution I’ve made for the past five years has been to drink more water (by more I mean 8-10 glasses a day). I probably haven’t accomplished this. Also, I think you can make change any time of year. Don’t limit yourself to January 1.
I suggest picking up Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May, in which she explores how stepping back and embracing the winter of our lives can be uplifting and nourishing to our souls. Even if you are dealing with a difficult time in your life, it’s a beautiful reminder about the power of retreating inwards.
As always, my insights and suggestions are not a substitute for the advice of a trained medical professional. Please use your own discretion.