DIY Writing Retreat Toolkit: Goal Setting & Reflections

Why so much emphasis on goal setting?

Maybe you're asking, 'Shouldn't my only goal at a writing retreat be to get as much done as possible?' To an extent, sure: your overarching goal will be to get as much done as possible! However, the practice of creating and updating mini-goals throughout the retreat day enables you to work with focused intention—and that focus means you'll get far more done than you would have without specific goals in place.

What does goal setting look like throughout the retreat?

Retreat itineraries allocate time both at the start of the day and the beginning of every writing session to set goals. However, to make the most of the retreat, try thinking through your goals before you even arrive.

• Prior to the retreat, ask yourself, 'What can I do between now and the retreat to make the most of this protected time to write?'

• At the start of the retreat, use the ~15-minute goal setting block to structure your plan for the day.
  • You can use the 'Goal Log for Retreats' page of the downloadable retreat toolkit (link will open file) as a template.
  • Alternately, everyone can add their goals to an Excel-based goal tracker (link will open file) or colourful post-it notes.

• At the start of each session, refine your mini-goal(s) for that session, only.
  • Is the goal specific enough in terms of detail? Does it give you a clear sense of where to start and what to do?

• At the end of each session, use the allotted reflection time to gauge your progress.
  • Do any parts of your goal need to be rolled into the next session for completion? Or did you blaze through the work?
  • Honest, accurate reflections will help you refine your mini-goal(s) at the start of the next session. 

How do I craft effective mini-goals for writing?

Assigning specific mini-goals to shorter chunks of time is more beneficial than assigning a vague goal to a huge chunk of time—okay, you know this, you agree with this, but how can you actually do this?

 – Visit our Goal Setting for Academic Writing guide to explore simple yet powerful strategies to craft effective mini-goals.

 – Alternately, you can complete the skills sequence embedded below to engage with the same content in short video format.

Click here to view the accessible version of this interactive content

End-of-day reflections

Most retreats end with a short block after the final writing session for participants to reflect on both their next writing steps and how the retreat itself went.

• In terms of next steps, attendees can first share with one another what they managed to achieve.
• Then, encourage everyone to write down a couple goals for after the retreat. This helps everyone maintain their momentum moving forward.
• Finally, discuss what aspects of the day worked well and what could be changed next time. Use these insights to refine any future retreat itineraries.

The downloadable retreat toolkit document includes a reflection log with two tables to support the above activities.

Now that you have considered your itinerary and the roles played by goal setting and reflection, you are well on your way to holding a retreat! Head to the next page for tips about locations, kit to bring, and expectation setting.