3 Ways To Start the Year Right With Writing Goals

The New Year is here.

This means new beginnings, fresh ideas, and new dreams. We are all familiar with New Year’s resolutions that somehow mysteriously dissolve in the air when January is over. Or even earlier! 

We wonder if there is another way to start the year successfully.

As Christian writers, we need to plan with the Lord to start the year right. The most effective way to achieve this is to set writing goals that are realistic and measurable. 

Here is how to start the year successfully with the right writing goals.

1. Evaluating the previous year. 

After inviting the Lord to plan together, we can start by evaluating the previous year in terms of goals and results. These questions can help: 

• Which goals from last year have you achieved? With what results? 
• Which goals were not achieved? Why? 
• What has changed from last year (in your life, environment, and so on)? 
• Where are you now as a writer (just starting, finished writing a book, looking for freelancing opportunities)?
• What is your greatest desire as a writer? 

2. Pivoting our hearts and mindsets. 

Perhaps this is the most important step before we do the actual goal-setting with the Lord. Here are several practical steps and questions to guide us: 

• What was your biggest disappointment last year? Why?
• What do you consider your biggest failure last year? Why? 
• What do you fear most as a writer? Why? 
• Ask the Lord to reveal hindering mindsets, such as relying on your own efforts, being impatient, and not waiting for God’s timing. 
• Confess and repent. 
• Recommit to God and His glory (Soli Deo Gloria). 

3. Goal-setting with the Lord. 

Now we are ready to do the actual goal-setting with the Lord. The most important thing is to continue in prayer and take the time to hear the Holy Spirit and plan with Him. When we write our goals, we need to make sure that they are realistic. This means we need to consider our family situation, other responsibilities, and our current season. Here are several examples of realistic goals: 

• For beginners: Start a blog, write articles for other blogs, submit to publications, and build a community.
• For those who want to write a book: Clarify the book idea, write a book proposal, make yourself familiar with the publishing industry, research agents and publishers, and send queries. 
• For those who want to become speakers: Take a course, prepare a portfolio, research events and podcasts, send queries, and create a YouTube channel. 

Finally, we can assign several concrete activities, or at least the first steps, to each goal and set a tentative deadline. 

Setting writing goals and planning can be overwhelming. However, we must remember that this is just a plan. Goals are flexible, and we can assess and modify them regularly as the Lord leads. Besides, it is not necessary to start everything at once but rather to set priorities and ask the Lord for His guidance and timing. Because “there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV). 

Blessings,
Hadassah Treu

Have you started planning with the Lord? What is your top priority writing goal this year? Share with us!