I recently ran across a guest post from author Camille LaGuire on “The Secret Archives of the Alliterati” blog. She offered these seven tips to stay motivated in tough times and while they apply to writing I think a few of these can be used in our regular life as well. Below is the list with a brief synopsis, be sure to check out the blog for more details:
1. Eyes on the Prize.
In other words set a goal that you can meet.
“When you make your goal specific and concrete, you can start taking the smaller steps to get there – like finishing your book.”
2. Eliminate the Negative.
Find the cause of negative influences in your life and change them.
“It may take time to make a change in your life, so pin it to to your goal. Fixing your life is a part of achieving your dreams.”
3. Love your writing.
Believe in yourself and that your writing is important
“Some writers write a fan letter to themselves about the project when they begin it. They write about all the things that excite them about it. Then they stick it in a drawer. Whenever they get discouraged about the project they pull out the letter and remind themselves of why they’re writing.”
4. Set quotas you can beat.
“Nothing is more motivating than success. Especially when you repeat that success every day or ever week. So set a daily goal that you can achieve more often than not. If necessary, adjust that quota from week to week. By meeting that quota, you will constantly prove to yourself that you are a writer. You can write, you can produce.”
5. Report your progress.
If you have to report to someone you are more likely to finish (unless of course you are a procrastinator)
“It’s amazing how much this will motivate you to write that last sentence, and then maybe one more, and another.”
6. Get yourself an audience.
Find a buddy or relative to read your work
“Having someone waiting for your next chapter can force you to actually produce it. (Writer buddies are better for this one, usually, because they understand that too much pressure can make you freeze up.)”
7. Train Your Muse.
“Set aside ten or fifteen minutes every day to train your brain to obey. Have a task and focus on it. Maybe you brainstorm ideas, or titles. Or maybe you write opening lines, or description. Just for ten or fifteen minutes. Set a timer. you can’t do anything else in that time.”
Stay motivated!
Suzanne Santillan
Writing on the Sidewalk
Leave a comment