Goals for 2026
And… it’s time to create and post my business goals for the new year! These aren’t fly-in-the-sky resolutions but my guideline for the upcoming year. For the most part, I keep my personal goals out of the public mix, unless they intersect with my business goals.
I succeeded remarkably well in 2025 considering it was Jim’s first full year of retirement and we took a two-month road trip during which I didn’t write at all. I guess it goes to show two things. One, writing 5 days a week instead of 3-4 out of 8 as I did when he worked four-on-four-off really is considerably more writing time, and two, that a real vacation revives the soul!
With that in mind, we’re planning another trip this year, albeit a bit shorter, and I’m eyeing 2026 with a little trepidation. Do I go for five novels or relax with four? I’m going to put five on my goals and see what happens!
By the way, if you’re ever curious how my year is going and what is “coming soon” << that link is kept quite up to date as I progress through various WIPs (works in progress). Okay, here goes…
I plan to write 5 complete novels in 2026 and release 5 (I may be crazy, but hey, I’ll give it a shot.)
Writing Goals for 2026 (315,000 words)
• Cinch the Saddle, Cowgirl (63,000 words — Cavanagh Cowgirls Romance 3 (and final)
• Blessings 1 (63,000 words — Blessings Ranch Retreat Romance 1)
• Her Loving Heart (63,000 words — Christmas at Maranatha Inn Romance 3)
• Her Peaceful Heart (63,000 words — Christmas at Maranatha Inn Romance 4)
• Blessings 2 (63,000 words — Blessings Ranch Retreat Romance 2)
Publishing Goals for 2026 (318,000 words)
• Drop the Spurs, Cowgirl (66,000 words — Cavanagh Cowgirls Romance 2)
• Cinch the Saddle, Cowgirl (63,000 words — Cavanagh Cowgirls Romance 3 (and final))
• Blessings 1 (63,000 words — Blessings Ranch Retreat Romance 1)
• Her Loving Heart (63,000 words — Christmas at Maranatha Inn Romance 3)
• Her Peaceful Heart (63,000 words — Christmas at Maranatha Inn Romance 4)
Other Publishing Goals for 2025
None this year. I think maybe I’ve already bit off enough…
Communication Goals for 2025
• Blog here at least once a month, including more THM recipes, since they attract new visitors. It is true, but I haven’t been doing it. Will try again.
• Send email newsletters every second week (sign up here)
• Post to my FB Readers Group several times a month (join here)
• Post on my Facebook page 1-2x a month. (follow here)
What about you? Did you meet your goals for 2025? What does 2026 look like for you?
I’ve been posting my annual goals to my blog for quite a few years, if you’d like to have a look. Before 2009, my reporting was a bit haphazard, so after poking around for a while, I decided “back then” wasn’t relevant! Still, if it would amuse you, here’s the list:
2025 goals | 2025 in review
2024 goals | 2024 in review
2023 goals | 2023 in review
2022 goals | 2022 in review
2021 goals | 2021 in review
2020 goals | 2020 in review
2019 goals | 2019 in review
2018 goals | 2018 in review
2017 goals | 2017 in review
2016 goals | 2016 in review
2015 goals | 2015 in review
2014 goals | 2014 in review
2013 goals | 2013 in review
2012 goals | 2012 in review
2011 goals | 2011 in review
2010 goals | 2010 in review
2009 goals | 2009 in review
