Episode 506: Stop Planning Too Big or Too Small: How Quarterly Goals Actually Move Your Writing Forward

Do you find yourself hitting a new quarter and realizing you have no idea what you should be working on? You're not alone. Writing is a long game, and without intentional planning, it's easy for your creative dreams to fall to the bottom of your to-do list.

In this episode, Kathi Lipp and Tenneil Register pull back the curtain on the quarterly planning process they use inside the Red House Writers Collective. If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward with your writing, this episode offers a simple framework that can change everything.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why quarterly planning is the perfect unit of time for making real progress on your writing goals

• The Create, Serve, Build framework that helps writers focus on what matters most each month

• How to set realistic goals that fit your actual life—not some fantasy cabin-in-the-woods scenario

• Practical tips for keeping your goals in front of you (hint: sticky notes work!)

• Why 333 words a day can lead to 10,000 words in just 30 days

The Create, Serve, Build Framework

Create (July): Focus on your bigger projects—your book, a speech, a paid membership. This is the month for the 30-day 10K challenge where you aim to write 10,000 words on your work in progress.

Serve (August): How are you currently nurturing your audience? Whether it's social media, newsletters, or guest posting, this month is about showing up for the people who need your message right now—not just when your book comes out.

Build (September): This is about growing your business and platform. Maybe you're attending a conference, launching coaching services, or pitching to media. Build is how you create sustainability in your writing career.

Key Takeaways

• A quarter is the perfect balance—long enough to make real progress, short enough to stay focused

• You don't need a color-coded spreadsheet; three sentences on Post-it notes can get you started

• Planning too small or too big are both traps—find the realistic middle ground

• Serving your audience now builds the foundation for readers to care about your future book

• It's not too early to start planning for Q3—July, August, and September are closer than you think!