We start thinking about the year ahead and setting goals for all the things we’d like to achieve – writing goals included.

But should we set goals?

Do they really help us? Or do they just make us feel bad when we inevitably fail? In this post, I’m going to study the evidence in order to help you with your New Year’s writing resolutions. The successful 3%

This is the most commonly quoted statistical evidence used in favor of goal setting:

In 1979 there was a study conducted on the Harvard MBA programme. Graduate students were asked about their goals for the future. Only 3% had written goals and plans, 13% had goals but had not written them down, and 84% had no goals at all.

Ten years later, the group was interviewed again – and the results were incredible. The 13% of the class who had goals but had not written them down was earning twice the amount than those who’d had no goals. The 3% who had written their goals down were earning, on average, ten times as much as the rest of the class!

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Although this study only looks at the earning success of the group, it is still a good example of why creating clear and measurable goals and writing them down is a key to success.

However, not everyone is convinced that setting goals are a productive thing to do. When goals are not met, it is usually the goal setter who is blamed: they just weren’t disciplined enough. But the real problem may be the act of goal setting itself. The case against goal setting

The inherent problem with goal setting is said to, however, the brain works. Therefore, any goals that need substantial activity modification or thinking-pattern modification can automatically be resisted. The brain is wired to hunt rewards and avoid pain or discomfort, together with worry. once worry of failure creeps into the mind of the goal setter it commences a de-motivator with a need to come back to better-known, comfortable behavior and thought patterns.

To me, there seems to be a simple solution to the above criticisms. The key word above is substantial. It is ‘substantial’ behavioral changes that create the most resistance. So, quite simply, don’t make your goals too substantial. To combat the fear of failure, set realistic goals broken down into achievable steps. Every time you achieve a step, you gain more confidence in yourself that you can achieve the overarching goal, and your fear of failure starts to lessen. Reward yourself for small successes and you’ll be working with your brain chemistry, rather than against it.

We tend to get overly enthusiastic when we set goals and overestimate what we’re truly capable of. Yes, I could technically write a thousand words a day every day for a year, but it would mean I’d have to make that goal the absolute priority in my life. And life is complicated. It likes to throw problems at us. We tend to forget to work some wiggle room into our goals for the times' life doesn’t always go as planned. In the same way, setting too many goals also doesn’t help. Where do you want to go?

Consider this common belief: “You’ll never get anywhere unless you know where you’re going.” This seems so common sensical, and yet it’s obviously not true if you stop to think about it. Just go outside and select a random direction and just walked, after an hour you will surely stand somewhere. It’s just that you didn’t know you were going to end up there.

The biggest problem with this is that if you have nothing to reach for, nothing to aim for, will you be motivated to just start out and explore? Put pen to paper and just write? Babauta says you need to ‘find something you’re passionate about, and do it’. But is a general passion enough to keep you motivated? (It might be for some.)

My recommended solution? Flexibility. Have that destination in mind, but if you glance down a road along the way and see something intriguing, don’t be afraid to step off the path and explore – you can always make your way back to the path if your detour isn’t fruitful.

And it’s the same with writing. Swap your goal of 1,000 words a day to an hour’s writing time a day. Which works better for you? If the new method doesn’t help, just switch back – or if neither works, adjust the goal itself.

Likewise, if you’re following a plan for your novel but as you write you feel compelled to explore a whole different narrative thread – go for it! Explore. But feel safe in the knowledge that if you get lost or the experiment doesn’t work, you have a concrete plan to fall back on.

All of these opinions and studies drive me towards well-known criteria for effective goal setting: the SMART method.S.M.A.R.T. goals

You may have already heard of it, but the idea is that if you set your goals in accordance with the following criteria, you’ll have a much higher chance of reaching them. Specific – Target a specific area for improvement. For example, ‘Write a fantasy novel’ is specific, whereas ‘Do some writing this year’ is not. Measurable – Quantify, or at least suggest an indicator of progress. For example, ‘Write 500 words per day’ is measurable, whereas ‘Write more’ is not. Achievable – Choose a realistic target. The most motivational goals are ones that are challenging, but still reachable. Relevant – Make it something personal to you. Choose a goal that fits with your lifestyle, and is something you really want to achieve. Timely – Specify when the result(s) can be achieved, otherwise you’ll simply put it off forever.The verdict

I believe setting your writing goals and make progress. Remember: Unfocussed creativity might lead to something good, but it’s more likely to just lead to a mess. Balance and flexibility are key.
Finnally always praised yourself with your favourite things as a complement if you achieved your goal it may be anything this will boost you.