Once, I set a goal to write 10,000 words in one weekend. I stocked up on snacks, made a playlist, lit a productivity candle, and declared myself unstoppable. Two hours in, I was deep into alphabetizing my bookshelf, halfway through a bag of trail mix, and had written exactly 147 words—two of which were "help me."

That weekend flopped, but it taught me something: goals don’t work unless they actually work for you.

So, this isn’t about being perfect. It’s about staying focused, staying human, and building momentum without burning out. Here are five goal-setting steps that have helped me stay (mostly) on track as an indie writer.

1. Start with the "Why" If you don’t know why you’re writing, it’s easy to get derailed by distractions, trends, or comparison traps. Your "why" is your anchor—whether it’s to finish the book you wish existed, to build a creative business, or to prove to yourself you can do it.

Take five quiet minutes. Ask: What am I really aiming for with this story? Write it down. You’ll need it when motivation wobbles.

2. Set SMARTest Goals (No, Really) We all know the SMART formula: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. But the real trick? Making it actually fit your life.

• Instead of: "Write a novel this year"
• Try: "Write 500 words every weekday for the next 3 weeks"

Break big goals into smaller targets. Treat each one like a checkpoint, not a finish line.

3. Track Progress Without Judging Yourself Use a word count tracker, a spreadsheet, sticky notes on your wall—whatever works. Just see your progress.

And when a week goes sideways (as they do), adjust instead of spiraling. Momentum is built through consistency, not guilt.

4. Embrace Flexibility Your goals should bend, not break you. Didn’t hit the word count this week? That’s okay. Rework the timeline. Life happens. Writing isn’t a race—it’s a relationship.

Sometimes an outline needs reworking, a side character demands the spotlight, or a scene pulls you in a direction you didn't plan. Let it. Adjust the goal. Keep going.

5. Celebrate the Tiny Wins Finished a draft? Amazing. Wrote 200 words when you wanted to write 1,000? Still a win. Showed up to the page at all? Hero status.

Reward yourself. (Cake is popular. So is shouting "I did it!" into the void.)

Recognizing progress boosts motivation. It’s not fluff—it’s fuel.

Final Thoughts You don’t need to be the most productive writer in the room. You just need to be your version of consistent. Set meaningful, flexible goals. Revisit your "why." Track your progress and celebrate what counts—even the messy, slow, beautifully imperfect parts.

And maybe skip the productivity candle next time. It clearly has no power.