After a busy day of writing, it dawned on me just how much I was getting done on my new eBook (Jump Start Your Freelance Writing Career) that I’m going to be launching soon, especially considering the lack of enthusiasm I had after freewriting the entire eBook (there was just so much work I had to do!).
I now have 1 chapter left to write, with over 68 pages of information-rich content already written. To top it all off, 20 homework assignments are already set up and ready to go in the workbook. It won’t be long now until I’m completely satisfied with the end result.
The fact is, even if you love the topic you’re writing about, getting started can be the hardest part. It’s difficult to write enthusiastically when you’re staring at a huge document and realize that there’s still so much more content you have to cover before you can finally call the document complete.
Even if you’re just writing an article, filling the blank screen with words can be a challenge if you don’t know how to begin or what the end result will look like. Often times, you won’t want to begin. You won’t want to write for hours, knowing that you probably won’t complete the project until another few weeks.
Even if you are making headway, the second you wake up in the morning, you’ll know that you’ll probably spend the whole day just working on that document and trying to get that project done – until you dread getting to work. You may enjoy the time you spend writing, but just looking back at the hours and days you already spent writing that same document can really put you down, frustrate you, and make you not want to pick up from where you left off.
Bloggers can suffer from the same syndrome.
Just by looking back at the blog posts you’ve already written, you feel discouraged at the endless heap of articles you still have left to write. For bloggers, writing blog posts is a constant activity. You can’t just stop writing if you want your blog to continue to grow over the years. But, if done right and you actively work to market yourself, your content can bring in tons of traffic – and, yes, money.
But believe me when I say that you can write with enthusiasm, even when your head is whining at you not to write.
Like I mentioned before, creating an eBook has been one of the biggest projects I ever set out to do. In fact, sometimes I feel like I’m creating an actual physical book because of the depth of this eBook.
My constant editing also doesn’t help the process. I want each section to be perfect. But, really, I know that will never happen. I’ll always find ways to add to what is already written, or change perfectly fine sentences to make them even better and more creative.
I feel like a dog chasing after her own tail, trying to catch something that can never be caught.
And all of these feelings and emotions can really hold you back and paralyze you from making progress.
But, funny as it is, once you start writing, you can’t stop. Writing becomes an addiction and, while you were dreading writing before, now you’re writing with enthusiasm without even trying.
After looking back at the amazing progress I’m making with my eBook, I noticed that I’ve been doing several things that’s been really working for me, allowing me to write more with enthusiasm even if I don’t want to write at first.
How many of you skip breakfast?
Strangely, a lot of people do, but I can’t ever think of why. Your body doesn’t require much: a simple shower in the morning, three meals a day, plenty of water, exercise, sleep, bathroom breaks, personal grooming sessions, and some clean clothes on your back.
So, why hold back on the simple act of eating a morning breakfast?
There’s nothing worse than getting in the zone, only to be interrupted by a grumbling stomach. By the time you stop what you’re doing, feed your tummy, and get back to work, your inspiration is gone.
As soon as you wake up, eat breakfast. Then, and only then, start writing.
Instead of wallowing in your dread, tell yourself that you’ll stop writing after a specific number of sections or when you hit a certain word limit. Chances are, you’ll completely exceed whatever limits you set. But, just by telling yourself that you’ll make a little progress now and work on it more later, you’ll be more enthusiastic about getting started. Once you surpass that initial threshold, actually writing the document is a different story.
I especially have found this tactic to work well when I’m working on large projects. Whenever I don’t want to continue, I just think, “One more section. Just do another section, and then quit for the day.”
And you know what? I don’t quit. I keep writing, not because I necessarily want to get more work done, but because I can’t stop. By walking over that initial threshold, I had built a blazing fire within my core that wouldn’t allow me to stop. The eagerness I felt yesterday to see the end result of the project returns and pushes me forward, allowing me to keep going.
I challenge you to try it. Set a limit for how much you’ll write, and see how you feel once you’ve reached that limit. Do you have an aching desire to write more? Do you feel better about writing now than before?
This step alone has been critical to my progress. In fact, I probably wouldn’t get as far as I did if I didn’t stop thinking about my eBook as one big chunky document.
Focus on the sections, not the whole document.
I know I mentioned this before, but it has just been so helpful for me to focus on getting the eBook done one section at a time, instead of looking at the entire eBook as a whole. I really recommend that you do the same. If you’re writing an article, write down the headings first and focus on just getting each section of the article done. It works.
Find someone to look up to.
Does someone else have a booming business that you want to imitate or even surpass? By striving to achieve the same success someone else has, you’ll acquire the motivation you need to write with enthusiasm.
For example, I know tons of successful bloggers that actively inspire me to write each and every day, but Pat Flynn of the Smart Passive Income blog has been especially encouraging. If one day I feel unmotivated, I simply look at Pat’s success (both at his incredible eBook launch and his amazing blog success). Most of the time, it’s all I really need to keep my fingers moving.
What might happen if you finish writing that document? Would you bask in glorious fame? Would heaps of fortune arrive daily at your door?
What you’re writing should have some effect on your writing career (or you wouldn’t be writing it, would you?). Try to envision the end result of accomplishing the task at hand, whether it is a polished article, a spike in income, or increased fame.
Think elaborately. If the potential end result is good enough, you’ll want to keep writing so that you can achieve whatever it is you set out to accomplish.
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Tags: Motivation, Writing content
I've been making money with my writing since 2008. With this income, I'm able to travel the world, indulge in my hobbies, and govern my own life. And the best thing is, I love every second of it!
Hillary Bost (1)
Wow Christina, this was freaking awesome. What a guide here for anyone looking to write. I’m so happy for you and the fact your ebook is at the cusp of completion….very exciting.
Thanks for bringing so much value every time.
Marcus Sheridan, The Sales Lion´s last [type] ..Boldness- Your Key to Business and Personal Success
Thanks Marcus!
I’m now 100% done with the eBook.
I’m just reading it over one last time and fixing the page numbers. I’ll launch it officially on the blog soon! It’s definitely super exciting.
Christina
I needed that article Christina. Many days I don’t feel like writing, but I have to. Thank you
Hi Farouk,
So happy that this article was helpful for you! It always sucks when you lack motivation to write but know that you have to get a certain project accomplished.
Good luck with your writing – but don’t work yourself too hard! Have a wonderful weekend.
Christina