2024, SWOT-Style

With a fresh new year comes fresh new Vocal challenges. Notably, Vocal’s #200 Challenge is dedicated to celebrating not only 200 Vocal+ challenges on the platform, but its creators, as well. What better way to do that than to give writers a space to explore their upcoming creative goals for the new year?

The #200 challenge got me thinking seriously about what I want my 2024 to look like on Vocal. Ultimately, this challenge had me feeling a combination of frustration and hope. Hadn’t my last three years on Vocal started with the same resolutions? The same mistakes?

Well… yes.

So why would this year be any different?

Even though this sentiment is (at its core) a thought I had out of frustration, shame, and hopelessness, it's also a fairly good launching point for growth. If every year for three years on Vocal, I set similar goals and have come up against similar struggles, then that's great.

That's data.

I just needed a way to organize that data and turn it into tangible goals.

My solution came unexpectedly, in the way of a ‘productivity vlog’ by the creator, scrivspo (aka: Harriet) on YouTube. Harriet was planning out her goals for the new year using a technique she learned in university called a ‘SWOT analysis.’

The visual aspect of the SWOT graph was instantly appealing to me. I liked the idea of getting everything down in one place and synthesizing the information from there. The SWOT analysis was a great way for me to identify my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats while also appreciating how much I’ve accomplished along the way.

When we take a moment to look at our strengths alongside our weaknesses, we can start to problem-solve more realistically using our existing skillsets.

I’ve included the blank version of a SWOT analysis graph at the very end for you to try out yourself.

Strengths

When writing out my strengths, I decided to focus on three categories: motivation/enjoyment, business, and craft.

Making a list of the Vocal communities I have written the most in (and enjoy writing in the most) was a reminder of where to go when I need inspiration or a jolt of fun to shock me out of my writer’s block.

These communities are ones I can use to motivate and inspire my writing (especially) when I’m feeling stuck.

Another point that felt exciting to realize was that ‘branding,’ which would have fallen under the ‘threat’ category a couple of years ago, was now something I considered a strength.

Back when I started on Vocal, I had no idea what I was getting into. I changed my username more times than I could keep track of and switched and swapped my headshots and cover photos like no tomorrow. On Facebook I was participating in groups but since I changed my username and photo so often not only was it difficult to keep track of for readers, but it would break any past links to my profile I - or others - had shared.

Even if people wanted to support my writing, I sure was making it hard for them to!

Hence, a threat.

I took some time to seriously think about what I wanted my branding to be, sure. But more importantly, I just decided to stick with whatever I chose next, no matter how strong the impulse was to change it.

Now, I feel happy when I look at my Vocal page, knowing I have a brand to branch out from.

Lastly, it’s easy to get caught up in the stats and numbers part of creating online; sometimes recognizing your strengths and areas for improvement in the craft itself can fall by the wayside. It’s great to take inventory and remind yourself why people specifically like your voice.

2023 Example: In 2023, an example of when using my natural voice worked out was with 'Canadian Wildfires Made Me An Edible Girly'

This was my first time dipping my toe into Vocal's Humor community; it was also my first time talking about one of my day jobs as a licensed budtender in Canada. (aka: I sell weed - except it's in a boutique and the government gave me a license to do so.)

In 2023, I finally started to open up about myself a little more. In 2024, I aim to do more of that with Vocal's Humor page.

Weaknesses

For Weaknesses, my two main focuses for 2024 were business and craft. The third, hidden focus that underlies both of them is enjoyment. (You may be sensing a theme, here…)

Somewhere along the way, I had forgotten why I’d wanted to be a writer ever since I was a kid:

I love reading and I love writing.

At some point around university, I had turned reading and writing into chores that had to get done 'or else.' All of a sudden, I started to let that mentality seep into my time on Vocal. Which, in a way, is bound to happen (to some extent) when you start turning your passion into a profession.

The key, though, is not to forget that first and foremost, you’re here because of passion.

When I treat reading and writing as a task to tick off my To-Do list, I come up against a wall of anxiety. I let myself get overwhelmed by unrealistic expectations and self-imposed pressures which, counter-productively, lead to inconsistency.

When I lean into the fun side of Vocal's platform by getting involved with other Vocal writers, Facebook groups, games, and challenges, there is no shortage of inspiration.

2023 Example: As for craft, 'Sea Glass' is a piece I would love to rewrite a stronger ending to. In 2024 plot, structure, and more satisfying pay-offs in my stories are what I'm working on.

Opportunities

One of the main aspects I have loved about Vocal from the start is that there are so many challenges, communities, and groups to get involved with. Even when life pulls me away, I know that I can always rely on there being a Vocal challenge to look forward to when I get back.

An extension of this, of course, happens to be the many Facebook groups dedicated to Vocal writers and readers. These groups are run by hard-working, kind, and talented individuals who are always finding new ways to keep us Vocalites inspired and connected. Often you can visit any of these pages to find games, prompts, and mini-challenges to keep you going in your writing journey. These groups are a fantastic resource that I look forward to using more of in 2024.

(I have quite a few of these groups listed in this article from 2021, but if I've missed any make sure to mention them in the comments!)

Something else to keep in mind when it comes to fostering opportunities is your own unique skill set. Personally, I love photography and making videos, yet haven’t done much to incorporate those elements into my writing. With platforms like YouTube and Instagram, using those skills could open up opportunities to connect with new readers and writers. Not to mention, it’s a new way to add a fresh personal challenge over the year:

Have fun. Take more photos!

2023 Example: The cover photo for 'Static Night' was one I took way back when I was in high school on a grainy little iPhone 4S. I'm so glad I did because it was what inspired me to write this poem in the first place.

Threats

When it comes to threats, the biggest threat will always be the person staring back in the mirror. Bad habits, self-doubt, and perfectionism can sabotage even the most successful artists.

An extreme example of this is Cait Corrain who was recently caught (and then admitted to) making fake Goodreads accounts to sabotage her competitors’ book ratings. She listed the main reason as self-doubt alongside many mental health struggles before losing her publishing deal, her sponsorships, and the movie that was set out to be made based on her novel.

Now, I think we can all agree this is an extreme example. Most of us don't make fake accounts or try to ruin a fellow creator’s reputation. But how many of us unknowingly sabotage our own reputations with insecurity?

I can see it in myself when I hold back on commenting because I’m worried about it coming across as awkward so instead keep silent. I see it when I don’t press ‘Publish’ for weeks on that silly poem I wrote, or the first draft I didn’t get around to polishing.

Insecurity holds us back and if we aren’t careful it can become a hard habit to break.

Which brings me back to…

The #1 Strength We All Have For Combatting Threats

If insecurity is your biggest threat then confidence is your biggest strength against it.

Sometimes we just need a little reminder of our awesomeness.

When writing about my SWOT analysis results, I originally did a bullet point-by-bullet point, detailed breakdown of each section. In doing that, though, I realized just how much repetition and cross-over there were between the quadrants.

My strengths could be used to find systems that work around my weaknesses; my weaknesses could become new opportunities; I could use my strengths to flush out those opportunities; and I could use all of these tools to minimize my threats.

So What Goals Did This Data Generate For My Time On Vocal In 2024?

1. Write through the self-doubt, even when you don't feel like it.

What does this look like?: Hitting publish even just once a month.

2. Get involved with the Vocal community, even when you feel self-doubt.

What does this look like?: Commenting on other creators’ work, submitting to Vocal challenges, and participating in Vocal Facebook group games and mini-challenges, weekly if not daily.

3. Be brave, share your work!

What does this look like?: Sharing your work to your social media platforms after they've been published.

4. Take more photos - then use those photos as new inspiration.

What does this look like?: Whipping out the iPhone camera more often, and using my DSLR to add personal photos and videos to my Vocal pieces every once in a while.

5. Go Play!

Fun is inspiration!

For this, I look back to myself three years ago for a little motivation with this 2-minute vlog I'd uploaded without even worrying about washing my hair first.

2024 is for less stressing and more doing, and for getting right back to the roots of it all - fun. This was all a form of play, once. Reading, writing, connecting...

Isn't that how we found each other here in the first place?

What Data Does Your SWOT Analysis Yield?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my 2024 goals for Vocal! I hope you enjoyed this exercise, and I would love to read about your results. I highly recommend checking out the #200 challenge on Vocal and reflecting on your own process. Not only is it a great opportunity (heh) to take stock of your time here on Vocal, but it's a great way to connect with other writers on the platform and learn about their goals too. When we work together, there's no way to fail.

Did you enter the #200 challenge? What are some of your Vocal goals for 2024?