Motivation for Writers
Take yourself and your writing seriously.
Just because you can sit at your computer in your pyjamas, while eating cornflakes at 3 in the afternoon, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take it seriously as a job. Make sure you and others know how important writing is to you.
Set aside a time to write, which works for you. Whether it’s early morning, or after the kids have gone to bed, if it becomes part of your routine then you will be more likely to get more done. When you do sit down, log out of Facebook and shut out other distractions such as television. You probably wouldn’t get away with it in an office so don’t let yourself get away with it. Be your own boss.
Make lots of goals. Hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly. Make sure you are always working towards something. Don’t overload yourself with over the top, unattainable goals, but equally don’t make them too easy. Cross things off when you complete them. This will help you chart your progress.
Don’t go crazy with your research. It is easy to become sidetracked, so if you start the morning researching — but find yourself bidding for a cow shaped alarm clock by lunch on ebay, then you are probably using research as an excuse not to write. Aim to stay focused when researching. If you do find yourself being distracted, stop and start writing your article or story, you can fill I any gaps in your research later.
Lastly, be kind to yourself. Don’t dismiss your writing as not important: it is. Just because you can work at home in your pyjamas while snacking, doesn’t mean you are any less professional. It just means your job has got some really cool perks.
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Tags: distractions, motivation, successful
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February 22nd, 2009 at 9:11 am
Good tips. Thanks for writing it!!
February 22nd, 2009 at 10:40 am
Very helpful article. Thanks for sharing.
February 22nd, 2009 at 10:47 am
I love this!!! Very true about the research. I find that my most often used excuse.
February 22nd, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Very good advice, keep up the nice writing!
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:10 am
great tips, emma… thank you for sharing!
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:11 am
Yes, this is true. Fine tips and good advice.
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:01 pm
It’s great to be reminded over and over again. Thanks Emma.
February 24th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
so true about the distractions Emma – love the cow shaped alarm clock bit! I am so guilty of flitting around instead of getting down to business. Thanks!
February 25th, 2009 at 6:20 am
“be kind to yourself” so true…we often tend to think that our work is secondary, just because we write. I enjoyed reading this article.
February 25th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Oh, I do agree. There are times I am guilty of just entertaining toomany distractions, thanks for the motivation, Emma.
February 27th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
so true, great article
March 30th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Very well said and very inspirational too, thank you.