Writing #goals for the new financial year
As a copywriter and content writer, doing “non-Word Candy” work has always felt impossible. But with a new strategy and some wise words under my belt, I’m setting about to start a new writing routine.
The business of strategy
I’m lucky. A dear friend of mine is a remarkably successful business strategist. I admire her more than most of the people I’ve ever met. And (miracle of miracles) she admires me too!
This leads to an incredibly productive working relationship. In addition to co-working a couple of days a week, we also help each other out. I help her with copywriting queries. She helps me with strategy.
Time out in Torquay
This year, my friend and I took a trip to Torquay — and we spent some time working on business strategy. For ages I’ve wanted to develop my personal writing practice. I’ve tried The Artist’s Way. Writing Down the Bones. Journaling.
I have lots of ideas. My ADHD brain comes up with them constantly. The trouble is, my brain doesn’t hang onto them. Over the years, I’ve jotted ideas down in notebooks and on my phone. But (and this might surprise you) ideas don’t actually equal writing.
The mouths of babes
What I’ve realised lately is (and again — gird your loins for a shock) writing doesn’t just happen. I knew this, of course. But I didn’t really.
When I was a teacher, I used to post weekly quotes in my classroom. In my final year of teaching, the first quote of the year was this one by Louis L’Amour:
Oof.
So I did something I’ve never done before. I added personal writing goals to my business strategy. And I’ve accomplished more on the writing front in the last week than I have in the previous…well…ever.
Write something that people want to read
I’m starting vague, people.
This is the actual goal that I popped into my strategy document — and followed it up with a couple main actions.
- Collect ideas each day (which I’m now doing in an Asana board)
- Write at a regularly scheduled time (which I didn’t manage to get around to, but I’m taking time out to do it now. Week 1: tick).
- Find a creative development process.
Number three is proving tricky because creative development isn’t something I’ve ever really thought about. So I’ve spent a bit of time researching, but I haven’t found anything concrete yet.
If you’ve got suggestions — I’d love to hear them.
I’m ready to change my life 🙃
For the non-Tik Tok junkies in the house, a quick explainer. Ages ago, there was an audio trend that started with this line. Then, after being offered clear suggestions that *would* create the change they were after, the subject would respond “I will not do that. I won’t be doing that. Nope, I will not do that.”
When I told my friend “I’m ready to change my life” (on the writing front) she offered solutions. So I guess what I’m doing is trying out a different response.
I’ll do it.
Challenge accepted.
Watch this space.
