Setting Priorities While Writing: A Project Management Approach:

Setting priorities while writing, in our world of writing, establishing clear priorities is crucial for success.

By applying project management principles to your writing process, you can effectively organize your work, boost productivity, and achieve your goals. This guide will help you set priorities for your writing project using SMART goals and project management techniques.

Understanding SMART Goals for Writers:

Before diving into the prioritization process, it’s essential to understand the SMART goal framework adapted for writers:

• Systematic: Your goals should be well-organized and structured.
• Measurable: You should be able to track your progress quantitatively.
• Attainable: Set realistic goals that challenge you without being overwhelming.
• Relevant: Ensure your goals align with your overall writing objectives.
• Time-bound: Set specific deadlines for each goal.

A Guide To Setting Priorities While Writing:

There are lots of ways to reach your writing goal.  The framework that works the best for me is below!  But your needs and understanding may differ.

When you go through this information, and the more you use it, the more your priorities will develop to suit your processes!

Surveying Your Writing “Site”:

Just as a construction project begins with a site survey, your writing project should start with a comprehensive assessment of your ideas and resources.

Analyzing Your Concept:

• Brainstorm your main ideas and themes
• Identify potential challenges and obstacles
• Assess your target audience and market demand

Evaluating Your Resources:

• Take stock of your research materials
• Assess your available time and energy
• Identify any skills you need to develop or outsource

Planning Your Writing Project:

With a clear understanding of your “site,” it’s time to plan your writing project effectively.

Creating a Project Charter:

• Define your project’s scope and objectives
• Identify key stakeholders (e.g., editors, beta readers)
• Establish high-level milestones and deadlines

Developing a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS):

• Break down your writing project into manageable tasks
• Organize tasks into logical groups or chapters
• Estimate the time and effort required for each task

Laying a Strong Foundation:

The foundation of your writing project is crucial for its overall success. Prioritize these foundational elements:

Crafting Your Central Premise:

• Develop a clear and compelling main idea
• Ensure your premise aligns with your target audience’s interests
• Test your premise with trusted peers or writing groups

Outlining Your Structure:

• Create a high-level outline of your work
• Identify key plot points or main arguments
• Establish a logical flow of information or events

Framing Your Writing Project:

With a solid foundation in place, it’s time to frame the structure of your writing project.

Developing Characters or Key Concepts:

• Create detailed character profiles or concept descriptions
• Establish relationships between characters or ideas
• Ensure consistency throughout your work

Building Your World or Research Base:

• Develop the setting or context for your writing
• Conduct thorough research to support your ideas
• Organize your research findings for easy reference

Avoiding Paralysis by Analysis By Setting Priorities While Writing:

While planning is essential, it’s crucial to avoid getting stuck in the planning phase. Here are some strategies to keep moving forward:

Setting Time Limits for Planning:

• Allocate specific time blocks for planning activities
• Use techniques like the Pomodoro method to stay focused
• Move on to writing tasks once planning time is up

Embracing Imperfection:

• Accept that your first draft won’t be perfect
• Focus on getting your ideas down on paper
• Remember that you can refine and improve during the revision process

Creating a Coherent Vision:

Before diving deep into your writing, ensure you have a clear and coherent vision for your project.

Defining Your Writing Style and Voice:

• Experiment with different writing styles
• Develop a consistent voice that suits your project
• Consider your target audience’s preferences

Establishing Themes and Motifs:

• Identify recurring themes in your work
• Develop motifs that reinforce your central ideas
• Ensure themes and motifs are woven throughout your writing

Backward Planning from Your Primary Goal:

To ensure you stay on track, use backward planning to prioritize your tasks effectively.

Identifying Your End Goal:

• Clearly define what success looks like for your project
• Set a realistic completion date for your entire work

Breaking Down Milestones:

• Work backward from your end goal to create intermediate milestones
• Assign deadlines to each milestone
• Identify dependencies between tasks and milestones

Setting Priority Tasks While Writing:

• Use techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks
• Focus on high-impact, urgent tasks first
• Regularly reassess and adjust priorities as needed

Executing Your Writing Plan:

With your priorities set, it’s time to start writing and bringing your project to life.

Establishing a Writing Routine:

• Set aside dedicated writing time each day or week
• Create a conducive writing environment
• Develop rituals that help you get into a writing mindset

Tracking Progress and Adjusting:

• Regularly monitor your progress against your SMART goals
• Use project management tools to visualize your progress
• Be flexible and willing to adjust your plan as needed

Overcoming Writer’s Block:

• Use freewriting techniques to overcome mental blocks
• Take breaks and engage in activities that inspire creativity
• Seek support from writing groups or mentors when stuck

Finalizing and Polishing Your Work:

As you near completion, prioritize these final steps to ensure your writing project shines.

Revising and Editing:

• Set aside time for thorough revisions
• Consider hiring a professional editor
• Seek feedback from beta readers or writing groups

Formatting and Presentation:

• Ensure your work is properly formatted for your intended medium
• Pay attention to visual elements like chapter breaks and typography
• Prepare any necessary supplementary materials (e.g., appendices, bibliography)

Call to Action:

Setting priorities for your writing project is a crucial step in achieving your goals and creating impactful work. By applying project management principles and the SMART goal framework, you can organize your writing process effectively and boost your productivity.

To dive deeper into setting SMART goals for your writing projects, check out our video on “Setting SMART Goals” HERE. Learn how to apply these concepts to your specific writing project and take your work to the next level!

Remember, success in writing comes from both planning and action. Start prioritizing your writing tasks today and watch your project come to life!