Make a Vow, Then Take a Bow
- Jacquelyn Lee
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
A New Year’s Motivational Blog for Writers and Everyone Else in Between!
It’s that time of year to review and reassess the year that is coming to a close. Some people love it; some people hate it. It takes time and energy to look back honestly. If you are serious about change, like it or not, this is the season to kick old habits, create new ones, and set new goals.
Background Information
In Ancient Rome, people made vows to Janus, their god of doorways and thresholds, for the coming year. In fact, the month of January is named after him.
So, who is Janus, and how does January fit into the formula? Janus is known for looking both backward and forward at the same time. He represents transitions, endings, and beginnings. You can learn more about the history of Janus here.
In today’s modern world, making a commitment to personal growth usually shows up as setting goals, often beginning in January. This tradition lives on through New Year’s resolutions, which are intentions or commitments to change a habit or behavior in the year ahead, a kind of vow to open a new door or to step into positive change.
In your personal life, this might look like joining a gym for the first time or renewing a membership after months away. If you’re a writer, making new commitments and goals for the New Year can feel exciting, daunting, or both.
The excitement often comes from reflecting on the past year or imagining fresh possibilities. The daunting part may be facing what did not go as planned or deciding what you are truly willing to commit to in the year ahead.
So, what drives the need for a New Year’s resolution? Goals. One effective way to shape them is through SMART goals—the focus of this blog: SMART and SMARTER goals.
What Are SMART Goals?
You have probably heard of SMART goals at least once in your life, and this post serves as a guide to help you create your own SMART goals as a writer in 2026. These methods can also be applied to your personal life.
In 1981, George T. Doran published a paper titled “There’s a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management’s Goals and Objectives.” Although his focus was on management and business objectives, the framework has since expanded into many areas of life, including personal development, academics, finances, habits, and routines.
SMART is an acronym designed to make goal-setting easier to remember. Originally, it stood for:
Specific – Target a specific area for improvement.
Measurable – Identify clear indicators of progress.
Assignable – Clarify who is responsible for the goal.
Realistic – Define what can be achieved given available resources.
Time-related – Specify when results should be achieved.
Over time, the acronym evolved to better fit personal and creative goals. One of the most commonly used modern versions defines SMART as:
Specific – What do you want to accomplish? Who is involved? When will it happen? Why does it matter?
Measurable – How will you track progress and know when you have succeeded?
Achievable – Do you have, or can you obtain, the skills, resources, and motivation needed?
Relevant – Why does this goal matter right now? Does it align with your larger priorities?
Time-bound – When will the goal be completed, and what checkpoints will you use?
Some versions expand this framework even further by adding two additional steps:
Evaluate – Regularly assess your progress and results.
Review or Reassess – Reflect on what is working, what is not, and adjust as needed.
This expanded version is known as SMARTER goals, and it is the approach used in this blog. Whether you use the SMART or SMARTER framework, you can think of goals as a journey toward growth. Whether personal or professional, each goal marks the beginning of a new chapter.
How Writers Can Harness New Year’s Resolutions Through SMARTER Goals
Writers already possess powerful tools for goal-setting: reflection, imagination, and expression. By using these strengths intentionally, you can create meaningful SMARTER goals. Fittingly, the process begins with writing.
Since the year is coming to a close, start by looking back before looking forward. Here is how to turn resolutions into a year of productive, satisfying work.
1. Revisit, Review, and Reassess 2025
What were your goals for 2025?
How many were accomplished?
What went well? Consider breakthroughs like finishing a draft or building a routine.
What did not go well? Identify obstacles such as procrastination triggers, unclear goals, or lack of accountability.
2. Write Your SMARTER Writing Goals for 2026
Use the SMARTER structure as your guide and keep the focus simple and clear.
Specific – Define the writing project and outcome. What will you work on, who is it for, and what does “finished” look like?
Measurable – Decide how progress will be tracked: word count, pages, sessions, or milestones.
Achievable – Ensure the goal fits your skills, resources, and schedule. Break large projects into manageable steps.
Relevant – Choose goals that align with your long-term writing priorities and interests.
Time-bound – Set deadlines and checkpoints for each phase of the process.
Evaluate – Decide how you will assess both your process and the quality of your work.
Review and Reassess – Determine when you will step back and adjust goals as life or priorities change.
3. Build Better Routines and Habits
Anchor writing to an existing habit, such as morning coffee or a bedtime routine.
Use timed writing sprints to reduce resistance and encourage momentum.
Track habits visually using a calendar or app to stay motivated.
4. Hold Yourself Accountable
Join or form a critique or writing group.
Partner with a writing buddy for regular check-ins.
Use public commitments like blogs or newsletters for gentle accountability.
5. Allow Flexibility and Growth
Adjust goals if needed to maintain consistency.
Celebrate small wins along the way.
Treat setbacks as information, not failure, and recalibrate when necessary.
6. Infuse Inspiration
Choose a guiding theme or word of the year.
Schedule creative dates with yourself to recharge.
Read widely to spark new ideas and connections.
By blending an ancient tradition of renewal with modern goal-setting techniques, you can turn the symbolic fresh start of the New Year into tangible progress.
Closing Old Doors in 2025 to Open New Doors in 2026
As you set goals for 2026, you are closing the doors of 2025 and opening new ones, much like Janus, who looks both backward and forward. You can choose to become the doorway for your own writing journey.
With stronger habits, clearer goals, and intentional routines, you can reach a point where you celebrate your progress and confidently take a bow.
Here’s to a year filled with words, growth, and creative breakthroughs.
Additional Resources
If you need some help organizing and keeping track of your projects, and goals, I recommend trying out Notion. The site allows you to choose from a variety of plans, including a Free plan, a Plus plan ($10-$12 monthly), a Business plan ($20-$24 monthly), and an Enterprise plan ($26-$32 monthly). What’s nice about it is that it also allows for Teamspaces meant for assisting in Collaborative projects and goals.
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