Setting goals is easy. Keeping them alive is the real work. Discipline and consistency are the fuel that turns plans into results. As this month gradually comes to an end, it is a good time to pause and reflect. Almost everyone sets goals at the beginning of the month and even at the start of the year. We all hope to look back at the end of the year and give a good account of our efforts. Even though we have different backgrounds, strengths, and methods, the truth remains the same: goals only work when we do.
Every new year begins with excitement. People write long lists of what they want to achieve and imagine a better version of themselves. Deep down, however, many already know that when things get tough, they may struggle to keep up. Writers are not exempt. Some plan to write one book in a year, others six, eight, or even ten. Planning is good, but the real question is this: how will you achieve it?
The first step is to identify your weakness. Everyone has one. For some, it is sleep. For others, procrastination, inconsistency, lack of motivation, or fear of failure. You cannot fight an enemy you refuse to acknowledge. Once you know your weak point, you can work around it instead of pretending it does not exist. Personally, inconsistency is my biggest challenge. There are days when I do not feel like writing anything at all—no article, no blog post, no book chapter. To deal with this, I write ahead. I do the hard work weeks before I actually need it. This way, even on low days, I still show up because the work is already done.
Another important step is pushing through the block. Writer’s block is real, but waiting endlessly for inspiration is dangerous. You cannot edit a blank page. That simple truth changes everything. Write even when it feels uncomfortable. Write even when the words look weak. Your first draft does not need to be perfect; it just needs to exist. Editing can fix bad writing, but nothing can fix what was never written.
Setting realistic goals also matters. Do not copy others just because you admire their results. What works for one person may fail another. Some writers can write all night without stress. If you love your sleep, do not force that lifestyle. Write when your mind is most active—early morning, afternoon, or late evening. The best time to write is the time you can actually keep.
Finally, pace yourself. Do not aim for 5,000 words a day if you struggle to write 300. Growth should be gradual. If 300 words is comfortable, increase it slowly. Consistency beats speed. Writing at your own pace and staying faithful to it will always take you further than rushing and burning out.
In the end, goals are not achieved by excitement but by quiet, repeated effort. Work at your own pace. Show up daily. That is how goals stay alive.