New Year, New Creative Goals (And How to Set Them Without Losing Your Mind)

It’s a new year, which means we’re all staring at blank notebooks, fresh planners, and that one pen we swear will finally change our lives. I’m no different. I usually take the time between the holidays to figure out what I actually want to do creatively, instead of just saying, “This is the year I write a masterpiece!” and then mindlessly scrolling social media until I hate everyone.

So here’s what I’m focusing on this year for writing and music, and how you can set goals without crying into your guitar.

Process Goals vs Outcome Goals — Why Not Both?

Bad goal:
“I will become wildly successful and live in a castle made of guitars.”

Better approach:
Build habits first. Let the outcomes follow.

This year, my main process-based goal is simple:

Write 3× a week.

Simple, right? Which of course, means life will immediately attempt to sabotage it. So I’m backing it up with structure:

• Pick specific writing times (like M-W-F at 8 AM… or whenever caffeine finally hits)
• Once-a-month library day — two hours, no internet rabbit holes
• Weekly writing group (aka creative therapy session)

Because if I keep showing up, the outcome goals become way more realistic:

• Finish draft two of The Protector
• Finish draft one of The Diary of Luke Gunn
• Write a short story
• Pitch one or both novels
• Self-publish a short story
• Post one blog a month on ericvitucci.com
• Record three new songs

See? Habits = fuel.

Work With Purpose (AKA Stop “Fake Working”)

When you sit down to create, don’t just vibe at your keyboard or guitar. Give the session a mission:

• Monday: Rewrite Chapter 2 of Diary of Luke Gunn
• Tuesday: Learn the Stray Cat Strut solo
• Wednesday: Explore watercolor painting like a confused musician-artist hybrid

Otherwise, you’ll spend an hour Googling “best pens for writers” or “What is the best tone wood for guitar,” and call it productivity. (Ask me how I know.)

Start Small — Like, Embarrassingly Small

• One paragraph.
• Ten minutes of practice.
• One scale that doesn’t sound like a cat dying.

Tiny wins add up.

Track Progress — Not Perfection

Write it down:

• Words written
• Minutes practiced
• Emotional breakdowns (optional)

Progress loves sweatpants. Perfection wants you to quit.

And Rest. No, Seriously.

Your creativity is not a coal mine.
Breaks are allowed. Get outside, go for a walk, see the sun! .

Final Thought

Creative goals aren’t about becoming perfect; they’re about making stuff more often than you don’t, laughing at the mess, and slowly building a life where creativity feels normal.

Now go do something creative!