Writing Goals That Actually Work (Even for Super Busy People)

Let’s be honest: being a writer doesn’t mean you magically have time to write.

In fact, most of the writers I work with are already doing way too much. Between jobs, families, and the endless logistics of daily life, writing often becomes a well-meaning afterthought.

Maybe you jot down a few lines in your Notes app while waiting at the doctor’s office. Maybe you’ve had the same unfinished manuscript staring at you for months (or years), begging for closure.

If this sounds like you, you’re not lazy, uncommitted, or unqualified.

You’re just busy. And your goals probably weren’t designed with real life in mind.

That’s what we’re going to fix today.

Because yes, you can make meaningful progress with your writing, even if your schedule is full. It all starts with setting the right kind of goals.

Why Most Writing Goals Don’t Work for Busy People

Let’s talk about those classic writing goals that seem so popular:

• “Write 1,000 words every day.”

• “Finish your novel in 30 days.”

• “Wake up at 5 a.m. to write before work.”

  
  

These sound motivating in theory, but they fall apart quickly for people juggling full lives. They assume you have long stretches of uninterrupted time, high energy, and the same daily schedule.

And when life inevitably gets in the way, these kinds of goals don’t adapt. Instead, they leave you feeling like you failed. Like you’ll never be a “real writer” because you couldn’t keep up.

But here’s the truth: writing goals aren’t one-size-fits-all. Especially not for busy people.

A Better Way to Set Writing Goals

Let’s reimagine what it means to set writing goals that support your creativity instead of draining it.

Consistency over quantity is one of the most effective shifts you can make. Rather than fixating on word counts, try building a routine that’s sustainable. Writing for ten minutes a day, or opening your manuscript a few times per week, creates a rhythm. And rhythm builds momentum.

Also, start thinking in terms of actions, not just output. Writing isn’t always about cranking out pages. It’s also planning, researching, revising, or brainstorming. Progress can look like outlining three scenes or revising a single paragraph. Give yourself credit for all the ways you’re moving forward.

One powerful tool in your toolkit is the minimum viable goal: the smallest version of your goal that still counts. It’s not cheating to lower the bar. It’s building a base you can actually work from.

For example, instead of trying to revise ten chapters this month, aim for one chapter per week. That’s four solid chapters by the end of the month—and a whole lot of sanity preserved.

And then there’s the real secret weapon: flexibility.

Rigid goals break when life gets messy. Flexible goals bend and keep you moving. Try setting weekly goals instead of daily ones. Give yourself space to shuffle your writing around your other commitments without feeling like you’ve blown it.

What Happens When Your Goals Fit Your Life?

When your writing goals are designed to work with your life instead of against it, a few magical things start to happen:

• You stop feeling guilty about what you aren’t doing.

• You actually start looking forward to your writing time again.

• You start finishing things (yes, really.)

  
  

The more often you show up in small ways, the more those small efforts begin to snowball. You build trust in yourself as a writer. And that trust? That’s what takes you across the finish line.

Remember: You’re Still a Writer

You don’t have to write a novel in 30 days. You don’t need to crank out 2,000 words a night. And you definitely don’t need to quit your job or overhaul your life to take your writing seriously.

You just need a plan that works for the life you already have.

Coming up with writing goals for busy people is about working smarter, not harder. They’re about honoring your creativity, even when time is short. And they’re about proving to yourself that yes, you can do this.

Even if it’s one scene, one paragraph, or one sentence at a time.

Want Some Help Finishing Something?

If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of starting but not finishing, I’ve created something just for you.

The Finish Something Challenge is a simple, encouraging way to break the cycle of perfectionism and procrastination.

In just five days, it will help you get a quick win for a current project so you can build momentum, reach a writing goal, and keep moving forward.

Whether you’re aiming to complete a short story, write a poem, revise a chapter, or finish that Substack post you’ve been meaning to write, this challenge is the reset button you’ve been waiting for.

Grab a copy here!