by Douglas T. Araujo
In the first part of this article, we talked about how we can use continuous improvement tools to handle and improve our writing skills, and we introduced one of these tools – the PDCA cycle. We also talked about the fours stages of the PDCA cycle – Plan, Do, Check, Act – and looked at some examples of how each of these stages could be applied to creative writing.
This time, we are going to discuss in more detail the first stage of the cycle: Plan.
‘Why is the planning so important, after all?’ You must be asking.
Well, that’s an easy question. Without planning, we are lost. If we don’t know which mountain we want to climb, how will we reach the right peak? With planning we establish our direction, and align our actions to reach that goal faster and more efficiently.
When we talk about planning, there are two sentences that come easily to my mind:
1) Create a Vision
2) Set Goals
‘A Vision? What do you mean?’
A Vision is a description of your desired future. It’s a statement that shows what you want to achieve, to become. It’s a guide that keeps you focused at the right path.
The Vision must be engaging, compelling and motivating. It’s also written in the present tense, although it’s a desire for the future.
Some examples of Visions related to creative writing are:
As you can see, the Vision can vary according with the future that you desire to achieve. While a writer can have a Vision of publishing a book, other can envision to be in the NY Bestsellers list. It depends on your own personal ambitions and expectations. But, in every case, the Vision sets the target, the mountain to climb.
And, knowing which mountain to climb, you are ready to establish your goals.
‘I already know where I want to go,’ you might say, ‘then why I need to establish goals?’
I will answer to that using an example. How many times did you hear somebody say ‘I want to be a writer’? This is a good Vision. But how many really do write? How many really do something to be a writer? Just a few. That’s why we need the goals. The goals keep us on track to reach the Vision.
The Vision is distant; the goals are closer.
‘How do I write good goals?
Well, the specialists say that the goals need to SMART:
S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely
Let’s talk a little bit about that:
Goals should be straightforward and emphasize what you want to happen. Specifics help us to focus our efforts and clearly define what we are going to do. Think about What, Why and How you are going to do. Use action words such as direct, organize, coordinate, lead, develop, plan, build etc.
If you can't measure it, you can't manage it. Choose a goal with measurable progress, so you can see the change occur. How will you see when you reach your goal? Be specific! "I want to write 3 chapters of 100 pages before my birthday" shows the specific target to be measure. "I want to be a good writer" is not as measurable.
Attainable
When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make them come true. You develop that attitudes, abilities, skills, and financial capacity to reach them. Goals you set which are too far out of your reach, you probably won't commit to doing. Although you may start with the best of intentions, the knowledge that it's too much for you means your subconscious will keep reminding you of this fact and will stop you from even giving it your best.
Realistic, in this case, means "do-able." A goal of writing a whole book in a week may be too much for most of the people, and so will not have its desired motivating effect. Be sure to set goals that you can attain with some effort! Too difficult and you set the stage for failure, but too low sends the message that you aren't very capable.
Set a timeframe for the goal: for next week, in three months, by fifth grade. Putting an end point on your goal gives you a clear target to work towards. If you don't set a time, the commitment is too vague. It tends not to happen because you feel you can start at any time. Without a time limit, there's no urgency to start taking action now.
‘I’m not sure if I understood. Could you give me some examples?
Sure. Let’s start with some bad examples:
This one isn’t very specific. Although it says what to do (write), it’s not measurable or sets a timeline. Ask yourself: how do I know I achieved the goal?
This is a trick one. It’s very specific, sets the timeline, is realistic and certainly is attainable. However, it’s not measurable. How do I know that I have improved my description skills? I can’t measure the goal the way it is written.
Another trick one. Although it’s specific, measurable and sets the timeline, it doesn’t seem too realistic or attainable to me. A goal too strong usually leads to failure.
Now let’s take a look at some good examples:
It’s specific (write), measurable (at least 250 words), attainable, realistic and timely (a day).
It’s specific (submit), measurable (at least 10 short stories), attainable, realistic and timely (in the year).
It’s specific (participate in the contests), measurable (3 contests), attainable, realistic and timely (during the first time of the year).
Well, that’s what I had to say today. Now you can create your own Vision and set your own SMART Goals, based on your aspirations and desires as a writer.
Next time we will talk about the second stage of the PDCA cycle: Do.
See you there!
Douglas T. Araujo