June 12, 2012

Nearly every month–sometimes every week–I receive an email from a new writer that concerns me.

There has been great emphasis in recent years on setting lofty, out-of-the-ballpark goals. You are to spend daily time visualizing these highly ambitious goals happening.

You are told to repeat daily affirmations about accepting a major writing award or being sought after by top agents.

Not the Same as Being Positive

It’s hard to succeed without a positive attitude. I’m totally in favor of regularly eliminating negative thoughts from your brain. But I’m talking about something else altogether.

Although I changed details so as not to embarrass anyone, such emails express this in various forms, like:

• “I am writing a trilogy that is like Lord of the Rings meets Twilight.” (From a writer who is on her second lesson at the Institute)
• “I’m working on a Newbery book that will be a major motion picture.” (From a writer who couldn’t spell)
• “My novel-in-progress will probably go to auction, and I plan to quit my day job next year.” (From a writer with no sales, just free online publishing like his blog)

Is anything wrong with this kind of talk? No, not wrong, but maybe unwise. You can tell by the effect it has on you.

Reaching High–Reaching Realistically

So…is it wrong to have lofty goals? Not at all! But choosing goals that are way beyond your current skill level will often backfire. It can lead to writer’s block, increased levels of fear, procrastination, and giving up.

Goals that are too far “out there” can kill your desire to write, not spur you on to greater success.

Instead, set a goal that will stretch you, but with practice and hard work you could attain. Then take time to study more and learn more. Set another goal that will stretch you more. Examples of goals that “spiral” include writing a longer story, selling to a better paying market, writing a novel, or writing a series.

This is backed up by research. As Jim Stone said in “How Lofty Should Your Goals Be?“:

Set goals that are still lofty, but in line with your skills… Alternate between a phase of strategy acquisition and skill development, and a phase of aggressive but realistic goal pursuit…If you avoid focusing on too big a goal at the start, you’ll save yourself a lot of frustration over the years as well. At least that’s where a lot of current research points.

How About Your Goals?

Study your current goals. Will they stretch you as a writer and help you grow? Or will they snap you like a rubber band?

Are you taking the necessary time to also study, grow, practice and learn–so that you can spiral up?

Just food for thought! Share yours with me.

10 Comments »

1. 

   I confess I’m one of those people with lofty goals … from the very beginning. I never just wanted to be a doctor, but one who would eliminate malaria off the face off the earth (just like smallpox), or a scientist who wins the Nobel prize, or a writer who wins the Printz. Never mind that my novel is NOT polished. I know it’s crazy to think like this, because I’d be lucky to be a midlist author, but it’s fun to dream. That said, I definitely work at the craft

   Two quotes that I love;
   If you’re skating on thin ice, you might as well dance. Jesse Winchester
   Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land amongst the stars. Brian Littrell

   Comment by Vijaya — June 12, 2012 @ 3:57 pm

2. 

   Vijaya, you are obviously one who isn’t daunted by setting very high goals. And I agree that it’s fun to dream. Wanting to win the Nobel is one thing…but is that your goal that you strive for? I’m all for dreaming big, but then setting goals (measurable outcomes with a deadline) that you have a reasonable chance of meeting. Then setting goals a bit higher and then a bit higher…till you get that Nobel prize!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — June 12, 2012 @ 10:01 pm

3. 

   My goals have always been more middle-of-the-road type goals. That might be because I didn’t want to be disappointed or more likely I knew that I’d be perfectly happy with less lofty goals. I have achieved many of my modest goals and try to up the ante regularly. Sometimes I do wonder if I should be aiming higher, but usually I remind myself that I’m not entirely sure I want to commit myself to the work that those goals might require. There are too many other things in the world to enjoy and learn that aren’t related to writing. I want all of that, too, and something has to give.

   Comment by Bonnie Hinman — June 13, 2012 @ 12:14 pm

4. 

   Bonnie, that is SUCH an important consideration! The huge goals come at a price, and it’s wise to “count the cost” first and see if you can whole-heartedly commit the time and energy needed for it. I think about that a lot lately, as my grandkids are at such fun ages and I don’t want to miss any of it!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — June 13, 2012 @ 12:20 pm

5. 

   Every time I’ve commented here in the past– year, maybe? — all I’ve had to talk about is my lost confidence, my total blockage. But just last week I realized that I was STILL aiming too high, and hence, getting discouraged. I’d been thinking, “Maybe if I write short stories instead of thinking about novels, I can handle that for awhile,” but THAT seemed too much to me, too. But, out of nowhere maybe, I started describing a setting– a setting that had story potential inherent in it, but I wasn’t worrying about the story right now. I was just describing the setting. The next day, I described another setting. It was invigorating! I was writing, REALLY writing, not just journaling, and I could feel the difference– suddenly I actually FELT like writing again. I just needed to make my goal for the writing smaller, less overwhelming.

   Comment by rockinlibrarian — June 13, 2012 @ 5:41 pm

6. 

   rockinlibrarian, you have hit on something that will save your career over and over and over! I had to do that very thing this year on a novel I was trying that was ambitious for me, but overwhelming at the same time. Months of fruitless “planning” and “studying” but no real writing. I also had to start very small for weeks, mostly interviewing characters without thought of plot or story, to unblock the jam. Good for you! Spiral upward and enjoy it!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — June 13, 2012 @ 6:44 pm

7. 

   Kristi, you read me like a book. I’m a big dreamer, but a very modest goal-setter And no, there is definitely no Nobel in my future … but there is definitely my faith, my family, and the joy of writing.

   Comment by Vijaya — June 13, 2012 @ 9:04 pm

8. 

   Vijaya, that is the perfect combination: big dreamer, then a modest goal-setter. If you spiral up in your modest goals, though, who knows what prize lurks in your future? Your priorities are in excellent order.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — June 14, 2012 @ 5:47 am

9. 

   This is a great post. Thanks Kristi. I’ve been aiming way to high lately. I had goals I wanted to achieve while preparing for the birth of my second child. At the time I didn’t think they weere too lofty but now that my little guy is almost 3 weeks old & still haven’t gotten any closer to my goals I’m thinking they may have been too high. Today while daddy has the boys I’m revamping my goals, even breaking down big dreams into much smaller, more managable pieces that I can do & will do.

   Comment by AllyM — June 17, 2012 @ 11:38 am

10. 

    Ally, with a new baby, all goals need to be scaled back! I remember once with a new baby that my goals were (1) get dressed before my husband got home from work, and (2) brush my teeth before noon. I had a colicky baby, and that seemed to be all I could get done with my first baby. I got better with subsequent babies, but do give yourself plenty of time to adjust to the huge changes. Make the goals into tiny pieces and give yourself BIG credit for any that you get done! And enjoy that baby–they are tiny for such a short time. (And CONGRATULATIONS!)

    Comment by Kristi Holl — June 17, 2012 @ 7:05 pm

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