Each month I stay accountable to my goals by reviewing the goal, the strategies, and progress.

2022 Goals

Overarching theme: “Promotion”

2022 Goals

Goal 1: Who am I as a writer?

Obstacles

• A track record of success in the real estate niche
• Hard to break into new industries
• Not sure what will ignite my spark

Strategies

• Make time to “write for fun” and explore new topic niches

Progress: My workload increased exponentially this month with two major projects on a two week deadline. There was no time to play. Grade: F

Goal 2: Increase my knowledge base and writing skills.

Obstacles

• Balancing the need to generate income and acquiring new skills. 
• Classes cost money, which eats into revenue.
• Finding the time

Strategies

• Read the free resources that come into my inbox
• Create a “learning” budget I can use on courses
• Dedicate a set time for industry reading and learning.
• Create themes for the month to focus the learning

Progress: Read some email newsletters and a few other pieces. I have not used the professional development budget. Grade: C because I could do more reading

Goal 3: Promote me.

Obstacles

• Time spent prospecting for new work
• Competition may be fierce
• I’m a shy person who doesn’t like to talk about myself
• Finding the byline writing opportunities on the immense World Wide Web

Strategies

• Launch a “how I edit” series on my website blog
• Find byline opportunities
• Make my website even easier to see my writing
• Dedicate a time to job hunt

Progress: I uploaded another “how I edit” video but became consumed with the projects and didn’t make anymore. My one byline opportunity has published. I cannot take on new work; too busy. So no job hunting! Grade: B

Goal 4: Maintain income stream of [confidential) through 2021. That’s an average of [confidential] per month.

Obstacles

• Limited time to work
• Reduced need in the market for writers
• Managing my time wisely

Strategies

• Reduce Upwork dependance so more money comes to my pocket.
• Charge the rates I’m worth..
• Work at least 5 hrs on my working days. 
• Track each month how much time is spent writing on projects versus time invested and rate earned. 

Progress: I averaged about 5-hours a day for the month; some days definitely more than others. I had some 8-9 hours days. I can’t seem to squeeze more minutes unless I work after the kid goes to bed.

Less of my work is on Upwork, and I shut it down for the month because I was so busy. I raised my rates on Upwork. I did do a time tracking on one particular project. Like I suspected, the project is far below my targeted hourly income. I will re-negotiate the contract when it’s done.

My February monthly income was 131% above the target. Grade: A