The Important of Adaptable Writing Goals

This week in a Facebook writing group, someone asked whether they should be ashamed of shrinking their goals to fit their life. I won’t share the details, that’s private, but the question stayed with me. It deserves more than a Facebook reply. So here we are.

I mean, we’ve all been there, right? We’re buzzing and full of energy, and we set these huge goals. And everything is going really well. Confidence is sitting on our shoulder, egging us on. We’re hitting – no, smashing – our targets. We’re flying high. We’re the best writers ever, and we’re going to be amazing.

And then suddenly life comes along and slaps you in the face. Life has a really nasty habit of doing that. And then all your goals come tumbling around you and suddenly, you’ve failed. Or at least that’s how you feel. Paranoia has taken Confidence’s place, whispering into your ear that you’re useless. You’re stupid. You’re the worst writer in the world, and how foolish were you to even think you could succeed?

You should be ashamed of yourself.

Except – and excuse the language here – that’s a load of crap.

You should be proud of yourself.

It’s tough when that secret voice in our head talks to us like that, but flick Paranoia from his perch because he doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about.

Here’s the thing. Our energy fluctuates. Our lives change at the drop of a hat. Things get in the way. Our goals and desires shift and move. So what does that mean? That we’ve failed? That we should give up?

No. It means things are a little different. It means it’s time to nudge that goal until it fits what we can do right now.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a strong believer in setting goals. I have drive in abundance, and I really believe that if you truly want to achieve something, then there are times when you’re going to have to push yourself a bit harder, to step out of your comfort zone, even if it’s scary and unpleasant.

But – and this is a big but – that only works while it serves you. And it only works if you don’t try to do it 100% of the time – because that’s the fastest way to burnout. That’s how people get disheartened and give up.

When life gets in your way (and it will), you don’t need to feel bad for setting aside or changing your goals. You need to adapt. Goals are not set in stone – or at least, they shouldn’t be. The very best goals are adaptable. They shift depending on what’s going on.

Keep that end goal in sight – writing ‘the end’ or that big fancy book launch or the first payment into your account. Have half an eye on the ultimate dream. But the little goals? Those steps that help you get there? Keep them flexible and open because you never know when something is going to happen that’s going to knock it off path.

If you say you’re going to write 5,000 words this week and you manage it, that’s amazing. If life happens and you get sick or called away or even just can’t face it, that’s okay too. Alter your goal so that it fits what’s going on, even if that’s 100 words. Even if that’s no words. Just do it with intention and conscious choice rather than just forgetting about it. Do it deliberately.

Make your goals adaptable. Take the break now, while you need it, so that you can push a little harder when that beautiful, buzzing energy and space returns (and believe me, it will).

A good friend and mentor once told me that it’s not about how often you fall off the wagon. It’s about how quickly you can pick yourself back up. And that’s pretty good advice if you ask me.

So allow a little flux and sway into your life, and you’ll find it all a lot easier to hit those end goals. And never, ever feel ashamed or like a failure because life got in the way.

You are awesome, and you will continue to be awesome.

And if ever you need a reminder of that, you always know where I am 😉