essay goal writing

Essays About Goals: Top 5 Examples Plus 10 Prompts

Goals could be a one-time event or a lifelong growth process. Write effectively with the help of our essays about goals and writing prompts in our guide . 

Having goals helps us have a sense of purpose. We find our determination, discipline , and strategic thinking tested to their limits . The road toward any goal , especially ambitious ones, is full of thorns and spikes. Some walk away and accept that these goals are not destined for them. Some, however, keep pressing forward, determined to achieve these goals. Gaining confidence in writing can help you achieve your goals by putting pen to paper and starting a plan .

5 Essay Examples

1.  are you goal or growth conscious by katherine beneby, 2. how to help an employee figure out their career goals by dorie clark, 3. no goals: why is it so hard to do something for enjoyment’s sake by jenny valentish, 4. get inspired: how four hikers accomplished their 2021 hiking goals by anna roth , 5. does sharing your goals on social media make you more likely to achieve them by kristan russell, 1. my goals in life, 2. travel goals, 3. the goal of forming better study habits, 4. climate goals: are we progressing, 5. importance of fitness goals, 6. fiscal policy goals, 7. failing at your goals, 8. setting lofty vs. light goals, 9. poverty reduction goals, 10. my academic goals.

“The difference between goals and growth is that goals are seasonal, while growth is lifelong. Goals focus on a destination while growth focuses on a journey.”

In this essay, the writer discusses how achieving our goals may be possible if we reframe our minds to think of them as a growth process. This essay enumerates the difficulties of achieving our objectives and offers guidance on what will help put structure in how we formulate our growth plans . You might also be interested in these essays about bad habits .

“It’s not always possible to help the people we supervise identify and work toward their career goals… [S]o when we can assist our employees in getting there, it’s a meaningful way we can make a difference in their lives and their professional success.”

As per our list of topics to write about , this essay looks at how managers must realize their critical roles in the lives of the employees they handle. Their biggest contribution to the development of their employees is helping them achieve their tasks at work while ensuring these victories lead to their broader career goals. You might also be wondering, why write goals down?

“Once, to stave off depression, I set myself the goal -tastic mission of doing something new every day for a year – from flying in a glider to blowing things up – and blogging about it. Right from day one, the sense of focus lifted my mood, and there was frankly no time to overthink.”

In this essay, the writer looks at how atelic activities, or those we do for fun, positively influence our outlook. Our goal -driven world, however, hinders us from seeing the pure joy of doing things without goals. You might be interested in these essays about dream jobs .

“Last year, she set a goal to simply go hiking at all. And she’s thrilled to have made it happen, saying it was one of the best things she could have done for herself and her family during such a challenging year.”

This writer describes points to inspire people to start hiking and to set personal fitness goals. Look no further and turn to the inspiring stories of people who have targeted to hike across states, hike for the first time, hike once a month for health purposes, and hike a hundred miles yearly. For more inspiration, check out these essays about achievement .

“Wellness gurus and fitness bloggers seem to be divided between whether sharing goals on your social media sabotages you or holds you accountable.“

This essay revolves around a nascent study that aims to see if sharing your goals on social media make them more attainable. While initial results show that those who posted made significant progress compared to people who did not post, more questions need to be explored. You might be inspired by these essays about success .

10 Prompts on Essays About Goals

In this essay, delve into your short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals. Before anything else, elaborate on what drew you to set these goals. Then, share your action plans to make them a reality. Discuss the obstacles you’ve faced and how you’ve conquered them. 

What is the one destination you dream of? For this essay, daydream about your travel goals. Direct that excitement and write your travel itinerary, the duration of your stay, where you will be staying, and what daring activities you will dare yourself to plunge into. You can also talk about whom you would like to be with when you fulfill your travel goals or if you prefer going solo.

It is a challenge to hit the books when we live in a world with unlimited distractions. In this topic prompt, share effective study habits to help students focus on their studies. One helpful tip, for example, is designing your environment to be conducive to a habit change. In the case of study habits, this means temporarily eliminating access to social media and other digital distractions. Cite more tips and conclude your essay with a few words of motivation.

Under the Paris Agreement , the landmark international agreement to fight climate change, countries must jointly strive to arrest global warming and cap it to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030. The question is: is this goal still on the table? Read recent news articles on how countries are following through on their Paris Treaty pledges. Listen to what environmentalists say about national efforts and tackle what more must be done to attain the climate goals. 

Fitness is a common new year’s resolution but try convincing your readers to start their fitness goals today. First, help your readers explore the right dietary program and workout schedule based on their daily demands. 

Then, underscore the importance of a fitness goal for gaining self-esteem and improving physical and mental health. Entice them with the idea of gaining a new exciting skill from a new workout activity and motivate them to start unlocking the fit version of themselves today. 

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries recorded ballooning debts as governments spent heavily to fight the pandemic and also support struggling sectors. So first, determine whether your country is in a tight fiscal space. 

The fiscal space assessment framework created by the International Monetary Fund may help you identify the metrics and data to gather. Then, shed light on your government’s fiscal policy goals to address debt while spending in sectors that guarantee an economy’s long-term health, such as education and social services. 

How do people receive failures? Write about people’s attitudes and actions when they fail at their goals. Can people develop depression, and how can they recover from the fall? Try to answer these and share your experience of failing at your goals. 

Ask yourself: How did you move forward after that? Then, share your opinions on whether a failure signifies that it would be best for someone to find a new goal altogether or try again with stronger determination and a better-calculated strategy. 

Which is better: aiming for a lofty goal that opens risks of failure, which many fear, or light goals that might do little in stretching out your potential? Answer this by listing the pros and cons of each. Then help readers strike the optimum balance between a loft or light goal . Cite examples of lofty and light goals to help your readers better differentiate the two.

For this essay, take a deep dive into the poverty reduction efforts of your government. First, give an overview of an ongoing flagship poverty reduction program and uncover its outcomes since its implementation. Read through government reports about the breakthrough goals of the program and which ones are gaining momentum. 

Then, look at the other side of the fence by listening to what critics say about the program. Take note of their laments about bottlenecks in the program and what more can be done to attain poverty reduction goals swiftly. 

Start with a descriptive paragraph detailing your academic goals. Writing about it vividly, as though it is the reality, is a creative way to show readers how much you have played out the scenarios of success in your head while helping your readers fully understand your goals. Then snap back to reality and discuss your action plan to realize these goals.

For related topics, you may check our essays about dreams in life . Don’t forget to proofread your essay with the best grammar checkers .

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Blog • Perfecting your Craft

Posted on Apr 04, 2023

How to Set Effective Writing Goals (That Will Help You Grow)

✍️ This post was written by Kleopatra Olympiou, a writer from Cyprus and holder of an MA in Creative Writing from Durham University. 

Achievable writing goals require a certain ability to look inwards. You must evaluate where you are in your writing life, where you want to go, and how you work best. If your plan is to start writing a novel that you'll finish , you need time in your daily grind to intentionally work toward it. But how can you set goals that are realistic, useful, and lead you “confidently in the direction of your dreams”? Let’s break it down.  

1. Observe your own habits and patterns

Are you a pantser or a planner?

Someone who writes with a detailed outline will approach their goals differently from "discovery writers" who start with a vague idea and then follow their intuition. So which are you: a planner or someone who flies by the seat of their pants?

Think back to the last time you wrote in a flow state, where you were completely dialed in, and words poured out of your pen (or keyboard). Were you following a plan or free-writing? If you’re unsure, imagine someone handing you a piece of paper and pen right now and asking you to try a bit of creative writing . Would you feel excited or stressed? If it’s the latter, you’re likely a planner. 

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We’ll use this insight to inform your goal-setting later on. For now, let’s think a little deeper about what types of goals excite you or freak you out.

Do goals motivate or stress you out?

There are two common emotional responses to being given a goal:

• Enthusiasm. The rush of possibility, where you glimpse a future when you accomplish your dream through determination and hard work.
• Dread . A heavy sinking feeling, a doubt that this is possible.

If someone told you that “writing 500 words a day means you’ll have 15,000 words of your novel written in a month’s time,” which of those two feelings do you lean towards?

Some writers would thrill at that goal. But if you are overwhelmed, try fitting your goal-setting to your personality. Just as sprinters don't wear hiking boots, writers must set goals that accommodate their temperament and circumstances.

Find a writing resolution you deem achievable: 100 words daily? 500 per week? Ideally, it should challenge you but is still within your reach. We’ll look at how to set such goals for yourself later on in the post. 

Now, let’s take a look at your calendar.

How much time can you dedicate to your writing?

Try this spy game: for a week, track how you spend your time from Monday to Sunday. Keep a log of what activity takes up each hour. 

At the end of the week, review this table. Aside from work, sleep, house chores, or childcare, what activities take up your leisure time? Do you have any weekday evenings free, or are your weekends the only time you have to yourself? Which activities could you minimize or occasionally sacrifice to make time for writing?

You might initially be discouraged, especially if your week is crowded with commitments and obligations. Ignore that feeling, though. Knowing your availability doesn't make writing harder; it just helps you set realistic goals that are more realistic, saving you disillusionment and disappointment down the road. 

Now that you’ve compiled this information about yourself, there's one more tough question to face...

What’s stopping you right now? 

Because you're reading this guide, we can assume you want to write but are struggling to do so. So, what’s brought you here? In some way, are you suffering from writer’s block ?

If you're not sure what's stopping you, our 1-minute quiz will help you diagnose the root of your writer’s block.

Let us diagnose the cause of your writer's block with our 1-minute quiz.

Armed with self-awareness and realistic expectations, let’s work towards some goals.

2. Establish your long-term writerly ambitions

Do you see yourself stepping onto a podium, accepting a multi-million dollar book deal to the sound of applause? Are you clutching a printed copy of your published novel for the first time? Or maybe you see a way through the fog of poor mental health — into a routine where writing is your joyful outlet?

Publishing success takes many forms — there's no right or wrong answer. Take a moment and privately note what writing accomplishment would make you truly happy.

Here are a few examples of writing goals to give you some inspiration.

Project-oriented goals

• “I want to complete a novel.”
• “I want to share my personal journey by writing a memoir .”
• “I want to write an account of my family history for my children to keep.”
• “I want to write a short story collection united by a cohesive theme.”

Publication-oriented goals

• “I want to traditionally publish my novel.”
• “I want to find a literary agent to represent me.”
• “I want to publish a book before I’m 50.”
• “I want to publish a short story in a literary magazine.”

Habit goals

• “I want to build a daily writing habit.”
• “I want to journal every week.”
• “I want to get used to starting new projects and not fear the blank page.”

Growth goals

• “I want to become a better writer .”
• “I want to join a writing workshop and exchange feedback with others.”
• “I want to take a creative writing class  to improve my writing skills.”

Emotional goals

• “I want more creativity in my life.”
• “I want to feel like I am using my talents.”
• “I want to prove to myself that I can write a book, even if it’s hard.”
• “I want to help at least one reader with my hard-earned knowledge on X subject.”
• “I want to write something that brings comfort to a reader.”

If your goal spans more than one category, that’s fine. These categories are simply a reminder that all sorts of goal types are acceptable. No one goal is better or nobler than another. 

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Focus on goals that are within your control

Some goals, like winning the Nobel Prize for Literature or becoming a #1 bestseller on Amazon, are not really up to us. They’re perfectly valid dreams, but they depend on external factors we can’t control. So try to avoid external validations in your goal statements.

Instead, focus on things within your control: honing your skills, writing the best book you can, pitching your ideas to agents confidently, or crafting a well-researched book proposal  and promoting it without feeling shy. Whether or not the book goes on to win awards is out of your hands. 

🏆 If bestseller status is important to you, check out author Brad Aronson’s success story and find out how he worked with a Reedsy marketer to get on a national bestsellers list.

So now that you've established your bigger dream let's break it down into tangible steps you can face without being overwhelmed.

3. Break your big goals down into smaller milestones

Most projects have several phases. A project manager (in this case, you) must start by looking into what their project will involve. Your aim at this stage is to plot out all the milestones you'll pass on your way to the finishing line. At all points in your writing process, you want to know what's happening once you pass your next milestone.

Example goal: writing a book

If your dream is to write a book, these might be the milestone objectives you’d aim for in the writing process:

• Write a book outline. In great detail if you’re a planner, or sketched out if you’re a pantser
• Completed drafts of every sub-section of each chapter
• Drafts of every individual chapter 
• Draft 2. Resolve any pending issues or story gaps
• Draft 3. Get feedback from alpha or beta readers
• Draft 4. Get feedback from a developmental editor
• Draft 5. Consider suggestions made by a copy editor
• Draft 6. Consider any further edits made by a proofreader

Turning a project from an idea to a polished manuscript is a project in itself. Publishing it will be, to some extent, a second project. You’ll face a different process depending on whether you’re hoping to publish your book traditionally or independently, so check out these related resources on our blog for a breakdown of those:

• How to Get a Book Published  
• How to Self-Publish a Book

Is self-publishing or traditional publishing right for you?

Takes one minute!

When you’ve completed your research and understand what it will take to meet your goal, let's draw out a step-by-step game plan.

4. Turn each milestone into a realistic, achievable task

Use the SMART system, if it helps you

One popular way to do this is to use the SMART framework. This acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. The idea is that objectives that meet all five criteria are guaranteed to be realistic and plausible. They outline when and how regularly you will work toward these objectives in a way that doesn’t allow for uncertainty.

Here are some examples of SMART writing goals:

Specific goals

To take the first step toward your bigger goal, you’ll have to move from vague hopes and dreams to specific, practical, and actionable tasks.

Vague goal: “I will submit more query letters to literary agents.”

Specific goal: “I will create a submission spreadsheet and send out 1 to 2 query letters every Friday, starting from the agents I believe to be the best fit for my work and progressing down my list.”

Measurable goals

Specific goals are great, but numerical goals can help give each activity a sense of scope. 

Vague goal: “This year I will write more.”

Measurable goal: “In January, I will write 8,000 words of my novel, keeping track of which days of the week are most productive for me and why. Once I have established that, I will aim to write only on my two most convenient days each week, adding 1,000 words each day.”

If you work on your draft in our free writing app, the Reedsy Book Editor , it’ll keep track of your daily writing progress for you. Set an overall manuscript goal with a deadline and it’ll automatically calculate how many words you still need to get there — with the option of signing up for gentle email reminders if you fall behind.

If word counts stress you out, make your goals measurable in other ways: commit to writing X number of days a month, or dedicate X number of hours to your writing every weekend. Measure your progress in a way that still requires you to invest time and effort but takes a little pressure off of the outcome.

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Achievable goals

Whether a goal is “achievable” is highly dependent on your personal circumstances. So this is where the reflection we did in step one comes in handy. Be ambitious but realistic, or you’ll soon find yourself drifting.

Not achievable : “I will join NaNoWriMo despite being depressed and will produce a full draft of a novel even though I do not have an outline yet.”

Achievable : “I will take NaNoWriMo as an opportunity to write on ten different days in November, but I won’t stress about word count since I’m not in my best mental shape.” 

Relevant goals

Having established your long-term ambitions, double-check that any goals you set will actually lead you there. Avoid tasks that are actually procrastination in disguise (e.g. testing every writing software in the market before you get started.)

Irrelevant : “I will invest considerable time in learning to use  Scrivener to copy my planning notes there before beginning my draft.”

Relevant : “I will tidy notes relating to my first chapter this weekend, then on Monday I will begin drafting without delay to maintain momentum.”

Time-Bound goals

Every college student knows how deadlines can inspire a frenzy of productivity. Setting goals with deadlines will help you stay on track — otherwise, the endless stretch of days ahead fails to create any sense of urgency.

Not time-bound: “I will send my manuscript to an editor when it’s ready.”

Time-bound: “On September 1st, I will send my manuscript to an editor, so any major changes will need to be done by then.”

Editors are often busy a few months in advance, so if you feel like you need a real external deadline to motivate you, get in touch with Reedsy’s developmental editors and agree on a submission date ahead of time. Be careful to agree on a date that feels genuinely doable!

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Goals that follow the SMART framework can be incredibly helpful because they force us to engage with the plausibility of each goal. Life, however, can come with some surprises.

5. Be flexible and prepared for obstacles

Adapt your goals

Say your goal is to submit your poems to 30 literary magazines , but then life got in the way. Adjust the goal to fit your new circumstances: submit to 15 magazines instead at the same pace. Or commit to sending any that don’t get done as soon as your situation improves.

Alternatively, re-orient the focus of your goal — instead of tracking the number of poem submissions , commit to dedicating the next three weekends to this task, regardless of the outcome.

Have compassion for yourself

Writers are notorious perfectionists, so this is worth saying this out loud: “failing” to meet a particular goal is not the same as failing to be a writer, or a good writer, or a successful writer. Do not hold yourself to impossible standards.

Any struggle to meet your writing goals shouldn't result in existential doubts about whether you’re really a writer or not. We’ll just leave you with this quote from acclaimed writer George Saunders: "Even if you're not actively writing because you are too busy, you are still a writer, because of the way you regard the world — with curiosity and interest and some sort of love. No need, then, to declare that one is or is not a writer. You just are, because of how you think."

Whether you reach your goals entirely or in part, you still have cause for celebration.

6. Celebrate your achievements

The very act of deciding to evaluate where you are in life and setting writing goals to move in the direction of your dreams is already admirable, considering how exhausted everyone tends to be in their everyday hustle. After all, who wants to write, when you can just lean back and watch Netflix?

You have made that decision, and now you’ll work on accomplishing your writing goals. Who cares if it takes a little longer than you planned, or if you submitted to fewer lit mags than you hoped, or if you only wrote for five days a week instead of seven? You’ll still be miles ahead of where you were when you first started, and that’s a reason to celebrate your efforts.

Your journey toward your dreams will involve adversity and struggle, that’s inevitable. But do you know what matters the most? You’re on your way.

Continue reading

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• Essay Editor

How to Write an Essay About My Goal: A Comprehensive Guide

In the ever-evolving journey of life, setting clear objectives and ambitions is crucial. Whether these goals are short-term or stretch into the far reaches of our future, they act as guiding lights in our journey. This guide will assist you in articulating and expressing these ambitions effectively, especially when it comes to writing them down.

Understanding the Importance of Goal Setting

Setting life goals is a combination of introspection and foresight. It demands an understanding of one's current standing and a clear vision for the future. By penning down your goals, you not only provide yourself a clear road map but also make a commitment to yourself to achieve them.

How To Write An Essay About My Life Goals

• Introduction : Initiate with an engaging hook—be it a quote, question, or anecdote—that aligns with your goal.
• State your main goal : Elucidate on what your primary life objective is. Be it professional success, personal achievement, or societal contribution, clarify your aim.
• The 'Why' behind the goal : Delve into your motivations. Discuss the driving forces behind this ambition.
• Steps to achieve : Provide a roadmap. Enumerate the steps you'd undertake to transform this goal into a reality.
• Potential Challenges : Highlight potential obstacles and your strategies to navigate them.
• Conclusion : Summarize and re-emphasize your dedication towards your objective.

Career Goal Essay Definition

It's essential to differentiate between life goals and career goals. While the former encompasses broader objectives, a career goal essay underscores your professional aspirations, detailing why they matter and how you plan to attain them.

How Long is a Professional Goal Statement?

A professional goal statement's length can vary but should be concise. Ranging typically from 500 to 1000 words, it should capture your aspirations succinctly. Always adhere to specific guidelines if provided.

What to Avoid While Writing Your Career Goal Essay

• Ambiguity: Always be specific. • Unsubstantiated lofty goals: Your ambitions should be grounded in reality. • Neglecting personal growth: Showcase how your past has shaped your future. • Reiteration: Stay succinct and steer clear of repetition.

My Future Goals Essay: 12 Models

• Entrepreneurial Aspirations : Launching a sustainable fashion startup by 2030.
• Technological Goals : Developing an AI-driven community healthcare system.
• Educational Objectives : Attaining a Ph.D. in Quantum Physics.
• Artistic Pursuits : Holding a solo art exhibition in a renowned gallery.
• Societal Contributions : Establishing a foundation for underprivileged children's education.
• Scientific Aspirations : Contributing to renewable energy research.
• Medical Goals : Becoming a pediatric surgeon and researching rare childhood diseases.
• Travel Objectives : Visiting every UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Sports Ambitions : Completing an Ironman Triathlon.
• Literary Goals : Publishing a trilogy of fantasy novels.
• Environmental Aims : Pioneering a city-wide recycling initiative.
• Leadership Aspirations : Becoming the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

Articulating one's life and career goals requires introspection, clarity, and foresight. This guide offers a structured blueprint to ensure your essay not only adheres to academic standards but genuinely resonates with your aspirations and dreams. Whether you're grappling with questions like "what should I write in my college essay?" or "how to draft a goal statement?", this guide is here to light the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the ideal structure for a future career essay? Start with an engaging introduction about your aspirations. In the body, detail the steps you plan to take, experiences that have guided you, and why you chose this career. End with a conclusion summarizing your determination and future vision.
• How do I ensure my career goals essay stands out? Incorporate personal stories or experiences that shaped your goals. Be specific about your aspirations and how you plan to achieve them.
• How can I relate my past experiences to my future career in the essay? Highlight skills, lessons, or challenges from your past and demonstrate how they have directed or prepared you for your future career.
• What should I avoid when writing an essay about my career goals? Avoid being too vague about your goals. Steer clear of clichés, and ensure your goals are realistic and grounded.
• How long should my essay about my goal be? This depends on the requirement. Usually, personal statements are between 500-700 words. Always adhere to the specified word limit.
• Can I include short-term and long-term goals in my essay? Absolutely! Detailing both shows planning and vision. Highlight how short-term goals will pave the way for long-term objectives.
• How do I conclude my essay about my goals effectively? Reiterate your dedication to these goals, reflect on the journey ahead, and end with a note of optimism and determination.

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11 SMART Goals Examples for Improving Your Writing Skills

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Good writing skills are becoming more critical, particularly in finding and maintaining a good job. As a writer, you are faced with several challenges. This has to do with your overall writing skills, not just with the profession in general.

A lack of vocabulary, issues with plagiarism, insufficient reasoning and cognitive skills, a lack of feedback, poor grammar and spelling, and a lack of research skills are problems you may face.

However, setting SMART goals is one thing that can help you significantly improve your writing skills. This article discusses SMART goals for writing skills.

SMART goals can help you set precise goals you can measure in realistic ways to monitor your progress over time.

Table of Contents

What Are SMART Goals?

To set usable SMART goals, knowing what they are is crucial. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable (or Attainable), Relevant, and Time-Bound (or Timely). These are five parts of a greater goal.

If you focus on the five letters of this acronym, setting and achieving goals becomes easier. So let’s look at the five letters of the SMART acronym and what they mean in setting SMART goals for writing skills.  

• Specific: These goals need to be precise, concise, and unambiguous. Setting a goal is relatively meaningless if you don’t know what the goal is.
• Measurable: The goals you set must be measurable in some way. The more accurately you can measure your progress toward a goal, the better you can judge what still needs to be done to get there.
• Achievable: Any goal you set needs to be attainable or achievable. Setting unrealistic goals that are not readily attainable will demoralize and demotivate you.
• Relevant: The goals you set need to be relevant to the specific skill you are looking to improve. For instance, while eating healthy is a worthy goal, it won’t help you become a better writer.
• Time-Bound: These SMART goals should always be time-bound. These goals should have specific time limits or deadlines that they should be achieved by. This will help motivate you, and it will also help you monitor progress on a linear scale.

If you would like more information on setting and achieving SMART goals, we recommend checking out Ultimate Guide to SMART Goals . In addition, a vision board can help you determine what your biggest goals are.

Why SMART Goals Are Important for Developing Writing Skills

SMART goals help you create structure in a way that makes them easier to achieve.

It’s about setting specific goals where you can measure the progress over a certain period, goals that are relevant to your overall end goal, which, in this case, is improving your writing skills.

There are a significant number of challenges that today’s writers face . One of the most common is dealing with complex and unfamiliar topics and lacking practical research skills. But, of course, to write, you first need to research, which is easier said than done.

Another big challenge , once resources have been found, is to organize them, so they are easily usable for your writing. Also related to research and sources is ensuring that your writing hasn’t been plagiarized, which can land you in serious trouble.

Moreover, perhaps one of the biggest writing challenges is forming a coherent argument that makes sense and is valid. It concerns using common sense, logical thought, and deductive skills within a solid writing structure to develop an argument that is accurate and easy to understand.

Another challenge writers face a simple lack of grammar and spelling skills , combined with an ineffective vocabulary. The cornerstone of assembling a good piece of writing is knowing the best words to use.

Other challenges you may face include a simple lack of feedback. To improve at something, you need constructive criticism. A lack of practice and experience are also issues.

We want to look at a series of SMART goals for writing skills to help you formulate a strategy that will help you improve.

We will help you set goals to tackle the challenges writers face, as laid out above. SMART goals are your plan of action.

11 Examples of SMART Goals for Writing Skills

Let’s go over a few examples of SMART goals that will help you tackle the challenges mentioned above faced by writers.

1. Read from Academic Sources

“To improve my vocabulary, I will spend at least 15 minutes reading from an academic source each day. All throughout, I will keep track of the number of words I do not know to judge my reading comprehension skills and vocabulary. My end goal is to fully comprehend any piece of writing within one year of the start date.”

S: This goal is specific as you aim to read from an academic source every day for a particular time to increase your vocabulary.

M: This goal is measurable because you can track how many words you are unfamiliar with over 15 minutes of reading.

A: This goal is achievable because spending 15 minutes per day reading is not very time-consuming, nor is making a list to keep track of unfamiliar words.

R: This goal is directly relevant to improving writing skills because having a good vocabulary is essential for writing well. Regularly reading is a great habit to have anyway.

T: This goal is time-bound to a certain degree because the aim is to engage in this practice for at least 15 minutes per day, every day, by the end of each day.

2. Learn New Words

“To help improve my vocabulary, I will spend 10 minutes each day making a list of words that I have heard but do not know the meaning of. I will then use a dictionary and a thesaurus to learn what these words mean and their synonyms. I want to shorten my list of unfamiliar words by at least 5% each week.”

S: This goal is specific as the aim is to make a list of unfamiliar words and then learn their meanings. The objective is to improve your vocabulary.

M: This goal is measurable to a certain degree because you can easily see the length of your list of unfamiliar words.

A: This goal is easy to attain because you can write down unfamiliar words as you read them and then set aside a few minutes each day to look them up.

R: As established above, having a strong vocabulary is essential to becoming a proficient writer.

T: This process is time-bound, as you are setting aside a certain amount of time each day to complete this task. It’s also time-bound as you intend to shorten the list of unfamiliar words within a set timeframe.

3. Ask for Feedback

“Whenever I complete a piece of writing, I will immediately give it to a friend or family member and ask them to provide me with realistic and relevant feedback. I will ask for feedback within three days. Then, I will examine the feedback immediately and make adjustments as needed by the end of the week (or within seven days of giving said person my piece of writing).”

S: This goal is specifically designed to seek feedback on your writing within a specific timeframe to have others tell you what needs improvement.

M: This goal is measurable to a certain degree, as you can use your judgment to determine how positive or negative the feedback is. The more positive feedback you get, the more you progress.

A: This goal is easy to attain because you simply have to find some people willing to engage in this feedback process. Here’s a good guide on how to motivate others to help you.

R: This is highly relevant because things sound different from somebody else’s perspective. You need to know how other people read and interpret your work.

T: This goal is time-based, as the aim is to get feedback and make adjustments within a specific time.

4. Join a Debate Club

“To improve my logical thought, deduction, and argument-formation skills, I will join a debate club within the next 14 days. I will aim to have at least one debate per week, with the overall goal of winning at least two consecutive debates within six months of joining the debate team.”

S: This goal is specific in using a debate team to improve argument-formation skills over a particular time to win consecutive debates.

M: This goal is measurable because you can judge your progress by your performance and overall results in your weekly debates.

A: It’s a relatively easy goal because argument formation skills also improve by practicing debating skills.

R: It’s a relevant goal because good writing requires clear and coherent arguments to be formed.

T: It is a time-bound goal because it aims to win two consecutive debates within six months of joining the team.

5. Learn to Read Faster

“I will read at least one chapter of a book per day and write a summary of the main points within the said chapter. The overall goal is to first increase the speed at which I read, and second, to detail the main points more clearly and concisely within each chapter. My aim is to read at least one word more per minute each day and be able to read at least 100 words per minute within 60 days of beginning this exercise.  I will then go back through each chapter to examine my analysis' accuracy.”

S: This goal is specific because you intend to read a certain amount, be able to read faster, at least one word per minute more each day, and to better comprehend what you’ve read over a period.

M: This goal is measurable because you can keep track of how many words per minute you read and count the main points you could remember and comprehend.

A: This is an easy-to-attain goal because by practicing, your reading speed and comprehension skills will improve over time.

R: A crucial reading and writing skill is to disseminate essential facts quickly and efficiently from large writing pieces.

T: This is a timely goal as the objective is to read a certain number of words more each day, intending to read at least 100 words per minute within 60 days of starting. This could be a part of a daily morning routine .

6. Hone Writing Skills

“I will join a professional writing class by the end of the month and complete it by the end of the year. The overall goal is to hone my writing skills, precisely the style, and type of writing required for my profession. My aim is to get at least a 90% score on all exams in this writing course.”

S: The specific goal is to first complete a particular writing class and, second, get a score of at least 90% on all exams.

M: This goal is easy to measure, as all of your work will be graded by the instructor.

A: This goal is attainable through hard work, practice, and studying.

R: It is a relevant goal because taking a course designed specifically for that end will improve my writing skills.

T: It is a time-bound goal, as writing classes only last for so long.

7. Identify Writers You Admire

“I will identify writers I admire whom I can learn from. By choosing one writer per month, I will have time to research that writer, identifying their trademark style, unique approach to topics, and literary style. I will identify one to three aspects of each writer’s style that I can adapt to my own writing style, practicing these over the last two weeks of each month per writer. I will then track to see which style adaptation works for me and which feels out of place.” 

S: This goal is specific in that you need to identify people who write in such a way that you admire. The task is specific and targeted at a predetermined outcome—finding writers you like. 

M: You can measure your success here by how many great writers you’ve researched and considered as writers you admire. 

A: Achieve this goal by reading up on one writer per month, which is achievable. 

R: Build the relevance of this goal by focusing on a skill (other writers’ writing ability) that you can apply to your own writing career. 

T: This goal has a time limit of one writer per month, which ensures you won’t get bored and will have enough time to research these writers, while still having time to write too. 

8. Developing Writing Tricks

“Having achieved my goal of identifying writers I admire; I will now learn their tricks or the shortcuts that help them create great content and captivating manuscripts. I will use the next month per writer, reading their best work and also their worst work, identifying what worked in the first while being missing in the latter. From my notes, I will then apply the x-factor that helps these writers be so great to help me be a better writer. Having found each writer’s success formula, I will apply this to my writing too.”  

S: Identify the specific traits or skills that a writer used to succeed that was missing from their poor work. This is a specific step.

M: Success can be measured by seeing whether you can identify what made a writer great in their work, while also spotting what made them not succeed, and then seeing if you have similar challenges. You can measure success by how many writers you can analyze in the given time.

A: Anybody can read what someone else wrote, but because you are a writer, you will be able to achieve a real analysis of their work and style through comparison. 

R: This is a relevant goal as it will improve your writing ability if you can see what tricks work and what doesn’t. You write relevant content by learning from someone else’s mistakes. 

T: There is a time limit to this goal because you have a month per writer, which is when you move on to a different writer. 

9. Develop Brilliant Self-Editing Skills

“I know I am not perfect, so I will sharpen my self-editing skills. I will make it a requirement to read my content at least three times before letting it rest for a week and then reading it again, but this time reading it from the bottom up (not in reverse) so I can check each sentence independently, and also then read it from start to finish to catch any errors and inconsistencies that need to be edited. I will also invest in a good grammatical tool such as Grammarly Premium for the next six months to suggest changes where necessary. By asking family members to check my writing, I can get an indication of my improvements and learning.”  

S: This goal is about improving the quality of your writing, which is a specific goal. 

M: You can measure this goal by looking at the grammar checking tool’s score, while also asking family members to report back on their perception of your writing improvement. 

A: You can achieve this goal as it has smaller micro-goals, such as editing from the bottom up and investing in a grammar tool for six months. 

R: As a writer, having quality content and captivating writing is vital to industry success, which means this goal is relevant to your career as a writer. 

T: With a time limit of reading content three times, resting seven days, then reading it again, you create a healthy time habit that will help you review your work with fresh eyes. 

10. Broaden My Knowledge Base

“To be a successful writer, I also need to be a great “reader” with a wide knowledge base, so I will read a new niche or topic each week. Instead of reading about things I am already familiar with, I need to read new and unusual topics that I know nothing about and possibly never even knew existed. For each new topic, I will create a list of 10 terms or ideas that are unique to that area of expertise, which I will practice referring to in the last week of each month.” 

S: The specifics of this goal are to broaden knowledge, which you can specifically do by reading a new topic each week and keeping notes on that topic.

M: You can measure your knowledge expansion by using industry-specific knowledge in daily discussions. Check off each term or idea each time you use them. 

A: Reading a book or blog each week is achievable, and it’s interesting too, so you will likely keep up the knowledge habit. 

R: Writing is about knowledge, so being informed about many different areas of interest means you will have a wide knowledge base, and this will keep you (and your written content) relevant. 

T: The time limit on this task is specific, helping to keep you on track in your goal to read a new book (topic) each week. 

11. Identify New Writing Markets

“To ensure I can earn a living from writing, I will explore different writing markets until I find one (or more) where I naturally thrive. A market can only be explored if you work in it, so I will choose a new writing market every three months, seeking out writing opportunities and clients in that market. When I am satisfied that I know more about that particular writing market, I will move on to the next (while still maintaining activity in the previous markets). Finally, I will choose the markets where I can enjoy the most success and hone my skills there.”

S: The specific goal is to find new writing markets that may help you write successfully and earn a living. 

M: Your success can be measured by the number of markets you explore and how you slot into each. 

A: You can achieve this goal by applying for new writing jobs or projects online in markets where you haven’t previously written, such as content writing, SEO writing, copywriting, fiction, non-fiction, and more. 

R: The goal is relevant as you want to build a successful writing career, but you may not yet know what market you and your writing abilities are best suited to. 

T: With a time limit of three months per market, you have enough time to investigate a market without forcing yourself to drown in any particular one. You can easily dip your toes into a market in three months, so the goal is reachable and timebound. 

Final Thoughts on SMART Goals for Writing Skills

The best way to hone your writing skills is to set specific goals. The best way to do this is by making them SMART goals, which enable you to set concise goals, achieve those goals, and when they should be completed.

This kind of structure and organization always makes achieving any goal easier. So make five or six SMART goals and start improving your writing today!

And if you want more SMART goal ideas and examples, be sure to check out these blog posts:

• 7 SMART Goals Examples for Administrative Assistants
• 6 SMART Goals Examples for Social Media Marketing
• 7 SMART Goals Examples for Creatives & Artistic People

Finally, if you want to take your goal-setting efforts to the next level, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals .