Wanting to be a writer can be an overwhelming goal. Not only is it hard to know how to get started there are so many kinds of writing careers out there; Internet writers, journalists, travel writers, bloggers, direct mail copywriters, the list is practically endless. Setting specific goals is key.
On your journey to become a freelance writer you probably don’t know where to start. If you read my last article about how to become a freelance writer and followed my suggestions you’ve already taken an important first step. But obviously there’s a lot more to do than just visualizing your dream (but don’t underestimate the power of visualization.)
It’s important when striving for any goal, whether it be professional or personal to know exactly what your goal is. For writing this is also true. It’s vital to take some time and really think about what exactly it is you want with a writing career. What is success to you?
Do you want an office in the city with a secretary and staff? Or is a home office where you run your own schedule and do your own ‘office work’ more your ideal?
Do you want to make $10,000 working just a few hours a week or make more than three figures working 30 hours per week?
Start getting this idea in your head and really focus in on specifics. How much do you want to earn in a year? Beginning in what year? Now write it down. Write down as many specific goals related to your writing career as you’re able.
For example, “I want to make $100,000 in profits by the 2010 working 25 hours a week with 2 weeks of vacation.”
Do this with every goal related to writing you think about. It may seem silly but just do it.
Once you have this list completed break it down into monthly steps, weekly steps and finally daily tasks. This isn’t a rush through project. This is the foundation from which your career is built. Take the time to do it right.
Think it out. What will you have to do over the next several months to reach one of those goals? Do you have to learn more or take a course in writing? Do you want to be an Internet writer but know very little about SEO?
Break it down. Take the example of becoming an Internet writer who doesn’t know much about SEO. You know you need to learn about it. Consider the choices; an online class, a tele-class, a class at the local library or community college, a book, an eBook, the list of choices is long.
Your step for one day could be to call the local library and inquire about SEO classes. The next day’s goal; do an online search for SEO tele-classes.
You see break it down into daily, bite size pieces and you’ll be working towards your goal everyday!
Look at each big goal and dissect it into daily tasks from simple online searches to registering for a class to buying a notebook for the SEO class you’re taking.
The longest journey begins with a single step…take that small step everyday and you’ll cover a lot of ground!
Don't wait until you're inspired or motivated, just take action and you'll be living your dreams sooner than you may have imagined. Start by writing this goal list.