After months, even years, of writing and submitting, many writers decide the writer’s life is not quite the beautiful dream they thought it would be.
In fact, it’s really just a lot of hard work and, well, a lot of writing.
Other writers decide to stick with the writing, but they change focus along the way to the career of their dreams.
They suddenly “get” how they can narrow the focus of their writing, yet attract more readers, customers, and clients.
As they gain more publication credits, they branch out and search for more opportunities for public speaking, too.
The key to realizing your ultimate career goal is to get really, really clear as to just what that goal is.
After all, if you don’t know where you’re going, how can you possibly figure out how to get there?
Here are a few questions for reflection.
Use your Success Journal to write down these questions and leave a page or so for each of your answers.
1. What is your ultimate career goal (what would your ideal writing career look like)?
Try to describe this in as much detail as possible.
Include what your writing schedule would look like.
How much would you be writing?
What would you be writing?
Where would you be writing?
How much money would you be earning each month from your writing?
Would you be doing any public speaking in addition to writing?
If so, where would you be speaking? Who would you be speaking to?
How much income would you earn each year through speaking?
2. What would be the big advantages of reaching your ultimate career goal?
List as many advantages as you can think of. Money shouldn’t be the only advantage.
3. What would be the disadvantages of reaching your ultimate career goal?
List as many disadvantages as you can think of – even fame and fortune have disadvantages.
4. How do you FEEL when you think of the disadvantages of your ultimate career goal?
Are these feelings keeping you from really striving to reach your ultimate career goal?
If so, do you need to change your goal or simply learn to overcome any negative feelings?
5. Take a look at all the actions on your marketing plan or to-do list.
Are these actions leading you to the ultimate writing career you’ve described in your answers to these questions?
Why or why not? Explain in detail.
Your answers to these questions should help you get clearer about your ultimate career goal.
With increased clarity, you should be able to create a more targeted marketing plan to move toward this goal.
Try it!
For more tips and resources for writers visit www.writebythesea.com and get your free subscription to The Morning Nudge to receive a short email for writers every weekday morning.
1 comment:
Suzanne, thanks for sharing this. A lot of writers don't understand the importance of creating a sound writing career goal. And, to be willing to change it if the occasion arises.
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