How to Set Realistic Writing Goals for the New Year (That You Can Actually Keep)

Setting writing goals without burnout can be quite a challenge for writers and poets. Every January, writers promise themselves big things: “I’m going to write every single day”; “I’ll finish three books this year”; “I’m posting everyday on socials no matter what”.

Then life happens. Work gets busy. Motivation dips. A missed week turns into guilt, and guilt turns into frustration and more guilt. By February, many writing goals are abandoned, not because of laziness, but because the goals were never realistic to begin with.

When setting goals for the new year, it’s not about motivation or discipline. It’s not because you didn’t “want it bad enough.” The solution isn’t more pressure. It’s learning how to set realistic writing goals

This post will show you how to set writing goals for the new year that are achievable, and how to stick with them without burning out.

Why Most Writing Goals Don’t Last

Most of the time, writing goals fall apart because we build them on fantasy. You plan as if:

• You’ll have a clear mind every day
• You’ll never get sick, distracted, or tired
• The kids won’t need you
• Your job won’t get hectic
• You’ll always want to write

But life doesn’t work like that. There will be days when we writers won’t feel motivated and there will be very busy days when sitting down to write feels nearly impossible.

Another issue is that many goals focus only on outcomes (finish a novel, publish a book, write 100,000 words), instead of processes (“Write 20 minutes, 3x a week”). While setting such goals aren’t wrong, we end up ignoring many factors outside our control: energy level, health, finances and time. We also assume that once we fall behind, we’ve failed.

And finally, writers often set goals based on comparison. We see what other writers are doing online and assume we should be able to do the same, without considering differences in schedule, support, or season of life.

Start With Your Real Life (Not Your Dream Schedule)

Now, let’s look at how to set writing goals. Before setting any writing goals for the new year, pause and look honestly at your current life.

Ask yourself:

• How many hours per week do I realistically have for writing?
• When do I have the most energy: morning, afternoon, or evening?
• What responsibilities already demand my attention?

Setting realistic writing goals should not be based on what you “wish” your schedule was or what your favorite author on Instagram is doing. You should consider your actual, available time and energy.

Maybe you find that 20 minutes three times a week is what’s doable. That’s great! Work with that, instead of chasing an unrealistic routine that leads to burnout. It may seem so small initially but those 20 minute sessions will add up. With consistency, you’ll start to see real progress, even if it doesn’t look dramatic right away.

If you have a full-time job, family responsibilities, or fluctuating energy levels, your writing goals should reflect that. Ten to twenty focused minutes three times a week is far more sustainable than an hour every day that never actually happens.

Choose Fewer Goals And Make Them Specific

Most writers set way too many goals. For example: “I’ll write every day, finish a novel, submit to journals, build a platform, and publish by December.” That’s not a plan. That’s a recipe for burnout. The more goals you set, the more likely you are to abandon all of them.

Instead, set 1–3 meaningful, clear and achievable writing goals. And be specific.

Not:

• “Write more”
• “Finish lots of things”
• “Be more consistent”

But:

• “Write for 20 minutes, 3 days a week”
• “Draft one chapter each month”
• “Finish 12 poems this year”

The clearer your goal, the easier it is to follow. If you can’t tell whether you’ve met the goal, it’s too unclear. Specific goals tell you exactly what to do when it’s time to write.

Shift from Outcome Goals to Process Goals

Outcome goals focus on what happens at the finish line. They focus on results: publishing, finishing, selling, or being recognized. Process goals focus on actions. The most sustainable writing goals prioritize process.

For example:

• Instead of “finish a novel,” try “write 500 words a week.”
• Instead of “publish a book,” try “revise one chapter every two weeks.”
• Instead of “become a better writer,” try “write one page before checking email.”

Which one builds the writing habit? Definitely the process goals, which help you set writing goals without burnout. Process goals remove the pressure to “achieve,” and instead help you build momentum, and momentum is how you finish things.

Build Flexibility Into Your Goals

When listing your writing goals for the new year, note this: if your goal can’t survive a chaotic week, it’s not a good goal. Life will interrupt your writing plans. That’s not pessimism. It’s reality. A realistic writing goal leaves room for illness, family responsibilities, work deadlines and fatigue.

Instead of rigid, go flexible:

• “Write 2–4 times a week” instead of “write daily”
• “10–30 minutes per session” instead of “1 hour minimum”

Life will get in the way. Make for allowance for that. Flexibility prevents the all-or-nothing mindset that causes many writers to quit after a missed session. Missing a week doesn’t mean you’ve failed. You just have to make adjustments and continue.

Create a Gentle Reset Plan

As you consider flexibility, factor in a reset plan. A reset plan is a pre-decided way to pause and restart your writing goals without guilt when things don’t go as planned.

When you’re setting your writing goals, plan ahead of time for the weeks when life will get chaotic because they will happen. Decide now how you’ll reset and continue when you miss a day or two, or even a week.

A gentle reset plan might sound like: “If my schedule changes, I’ll reduce my writing time instead of quitting.” Or “If I fall behind on my word count, I’ll adjust my goal instead of trying to catch up all at once.” It can even be a simple “If I miss a week, I’ll simply pick up where I left off.” This way, your goal doesn’t punish you for being human. It gives you a clear, pressure‑free way to return, which is exactly how you avoid burnout and keep writing long‑term.

Measure Progress in Ways That Matter

Word count is a useful tool, but it isn’t the only way to measure progress. In fact, some of your biggest creative wins might have nothing to do with finishing drafts. Writing progress can also look like:

• Finishing chapters
• Revising old work
• Writing more regularly than last year
• Feeling less resistance when you sit down to write

Consider using monthly check-ins instead of daily tracking. At the end of each month, ask:

• “Did I write?”
• “How did it feel?”
• “What got in the way?”
• “What can I try next month?”

The “celebrating your little wins” mindset can actually help you set achievable writing goals as the focus isn’t on the grand results but on the little steps of progress.

Writing Goals That Support the Writer You Want to Become

Writing goals should support your growth into the kind of writer you want to become, not pressure you into doing more than you can handle. You don’t have to prove you’re a “real writer” by hitting impossible targets. The best goals are the ones that feel like they’re on your side, helping you stay creative, stay consistent, and stay connected to why you started writing in the first place.

Here’s the deep question you should ask as you set goals: Are your goals making you feel more like a writer or less? Are they supportive or just constantly exhausting?

Think about these questions:

• Will this help me love writing more?
• Will it help me live the kind of life I want to live as a writer? (A calm life vs a mentally drained one)
• Am I setting this goal because I want to or because I feel like I should?
• Does it move me toward the kind of writer I want to be long-term?

Again, a goal that constantly exhausts you isn’t sustainable, no matter how impressive it sounds. And your goal should help you become the writer you want to become in the long run.

A Different Way to Begin the Writing Year

You don’t need massive goals. You don’t need extreme discipline to keep writing. You don’t need perfect routines or daily streaks. What you need are realistic writing goals that factor in life challenges and responsibilities, and encourage you to keep showing up. Start smaller than you think you should, build slowly and make adjustments as and when needed.

You can download my free printable worksheet to help you set your writing goals for the new year right here. I also have a blog post on the best tools to boost your writing productivity and help you achieve your goals. You can check it out here.

Good luck and have a great year!