The start of the new year is notorious for bringing a new wave of motivation. It’s not uncommon for people to think about the past year and create a plan of what they can do to better themselves personally and professionally for the upcoming year. A new year often means new goals to push yourself.
As an author, the new year means fresh new opportunities and possibilities, whether your plan is to finish a book, promote more, or boost sales. Regardless of your actual goals, the key is establishing them ahead of time. Below, we’ll dive into tips for setting and achieving your goals as an author in 2026.
Let’s begin!
Be Specific With Your Goal
When you have a vague goal like ‘write a book,’ it may be more difficult to achieve than when you set specific goals. Some examples of goals as an author you can set include:
- Write at least 3 days a week in 2026.
- Finish the first draft of your book by August.
- Have your book proofread by October
Be Realistic When Setting Goals
One reason why authors may not reach a specific goal is that the goal they set was unrealistic. When an author sets a goal, it’s important that they keep in mind what they can handle in their current schedule. While stating that you’re going to write 5 books this year sounds amazing in theory, if you have another career, kids, and a busy life, in general, this goal isn’t a realistic one for you. You should set small goals that are realistic and attainable for you and your schedule.
Break Your Goals Into Milestones
When you have your mind set on just one big goal that you want to achieve for the year, it can not only become overwhelming, but it can be easy to think, “I’ll never achieve this, I might as well give up.” By breaking up your one big goal into chunks throughout the year, it’ll be easier to pace yourself, which will help you to actually achieve it.
Track Progress And Celebrate Small Wins
Keep track of the progress you make along the way. This way, when times get difficult, and you feel like giving up, look back at everything you’ve already accomplished and see how far you’ve come. Also, don’t forget to celebrate every milestone, even the small ones. Eventually, the small wins will lead to bigger ones.
Final Thoughts
With the new year rolling in, it can be overwhelming to think about all the goals you want to complete in the new year. However, think of the new year as a fresh start. This is your chance to make big waves, and when you set your mind to something, you can achieve it. All you need to do is keep your goals realistic, break your goals into smaller milestones, and track and celebrate small wins. Before you know it, you’ll be crossing off things on your list and achieving your goals as an author in 2026.
To help you achieve any promotion goals you may have, Book Brush is here to help. With high-quality and easy-to-create graphics, you’ll have an eye-catching design that will boost sales and get your book noticed!
