Riding the high of checking a big box off my list, I decided
to set another goal. “In 2016,” I told anyone who listened, “I want to be
published in Salon!” But the more I said it, the more nervous I became.
“What are you scared of?” Cait, my best friend and
writing partner, asked.
“Well, speaking it out loud means I gotta do it. And
what if I… don’t?”
Being the former high school teacher that she is, Cait
was ready with a foolproof plan. “Make it a smart goal,” she said.
“As opposed to a dumb one?” I asked.
And so she explained. SMART is an acronym that people
(entrepreneurs, teachers, etc) use in order to make headway in their
professional and personal lives. I did some research and decided to give it a
try.
Step 1: Write down your goal in as few words as possible.
My goal is to:
have my writing reach a larger audience
Step 2: Make your goal detailed and SPECIFIC. Answer
who/what/where/how/when.
By the end of 2016,
I will have several mainstream media publications (online or in print) in order
to advance my career as a freelance writer. (I am using the term “mainstream” loosely.
Of course, I’d love to be published in The New York Times or The Atlantic, but
I’m aiming at places where a newbie like me might have more of a chance, publications
like Salon and HuffPost. I’m dreaming big but also staying realistic!)
HOW will you
reach this goal? List at least 3 action steps you'll take (be specific):
1. Speak to
writers who publish regularly in mainstream venues about the process.
2. Read an
abundance of writing published in magazines where I’d love to place my work.
3. Pitch
articles to publications such as Salon, Huffington Post, and Outside magazine.
Step 3: Make sure your goal is MEASUREABLE. Add
details, measurements and tracking details.
I will
measure/track my goal by using the following numbers or methods:
·
I will submit 2 polished articles to mainstream
publications per month.
·
I will spend 4 hours per week working on pieces
for publication.
I will know
I've reached my goal when:
ð *I
have 2 publications in mainstream venues.*
Step 4: Make your goal ATTAINABLE. What
additional resources do you need for success?
Items I need
to achieve this goal: my computer + butt in chair
How I'll find
the time: I will dedicate at least 4 hours per week on these pieces.
Things I need
to learn more about: the editorial expectations and submitting process at mainstream
magazines.
People I can
talk to for support: writer friends who have bylines in major publications [get
in touch with said friends ASAP!]
Step 5: Make your goal RELEVANT. List
why you want to
reach this goal:
If I want to
develop a long-lasting writing career (working in multiple genres), I need to
set the groundwork now and establish myself as a reliable and capable freelance
writer.
Step 6: Make your goal TIMELY. Put
a deadline on your goal and set some benchmarks.
I will reach my
goal by (date): 12/31/2016
My halfway
measurement will be one major publication (eek!) by 6/31/2016.
Additional dates and milestones I’ll
aim for: continuing to publish my creative work in literary magazines like The
Normal School, Lunch Ticket, etc.
*
Looking forward, my ultimate goal is to make my living
as a writer. This is different than just writing. Lots of writers have a day
job and write when they come home. I could do that, too. But what I’m saying –
committing in print – is that I’d like my day job to BE writing. Just writing
the words feels terrifying. And I am fully aware that writing this in my weird
little blog does not guarantee that this will happen for me. But what I am
saying is that I’m going to give this crazy thing my best shot.
For me, creating a writing life often feels nebulous
and scary in its haziness. I think the practice of setting goals will be good in
the long term, since being a freelance writer means that I will probably be my
own boss, which means being organized, setting deadlines, and motivating myself.
Hopefully this SMART goal concept is helpful to you,
too. Think about something you want to accomplish in the next year, whether it’s
creative, professional, or personal, and break it down using these steps.
It’s also interesting to explore the reasons WHY you want to achieve this goal,
and how accomplishing it will further your greater purpose in life.
