Udemezue John
Introduction.
Writing can be an exhilarating journey, but it’s also filled with challenges that can trip up even the most seasoned authors.
From grappling with writer’s block to facing the daunting task of self-promotion, every writer encounters hurdles along the way.
The reason these problems are so common is that so many writers are stuck in the legacy world, still following “the old rules” of writing and believing they need to become some magical genius before they’re allowed to write and publish anything in the world.
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When that’s simply just not true.
Here are the problems that hold writers back the most, along with some mental shifts to help you overcome them:
1. Distractions.
Writers love distractions. It’s the easiest way to postpone doing the thing that needs to be done, which is to sit down and write. “I need to do my laundry” is a common one.
So is, “I need to give my friend a call” or “I’ve been working so hard lately, I could use a night watching Netflix.”
But a small, powerful reframe here is seeing the distractions in your life as potential material and things to write about.
Instead of getting frustrated by having human responsibilities, impulses, and friends who want to see you, write about them!
2. Over-editing.
Writers love switching out adjectives and debating, “Should I say ‘amazing’ or ‘astounding?’”
But the truth is, these types of edits don’t matter you should focus on getting your IDEAS out into the world. Forget the adjectives.
Forget the grammar. Just focus on validating whether you are headed in the right direction.
Then, once you get a sense of what ideas are intriguing to readers, start refining your writing. But before you figure that out, editing is a waste of time.
3. Perfectionism.
One of the biggest obstacles writers need to overcome early on is realizing that “perfect” is an unreasonable milestone.
More importantly, aiming for “perfect” slows you down — so much so, that other writers who aren’t aiming for perfect end up zooming right by you. A reframe we find helpful here is to allow yourself to create “junk.”
Who cares if you write and publish something that doesn’t get a lot of traction?
In everything you write, you are learning. And the more you learn, the faster you will grow, the better you’ll get, and so on. Aiming for perfection isn’t productive.
4. Procrastination.
The secret to writing is to train and nurture your Daily Writing Habit. And to build a Daily Writing Habit, that means you need to get back on the ship every single day.
If you miss a day, that’s fine. Don’t beat yourself up. But climb aboard and get back at it tomorrow. Otherwise, too many “tomorrows” will go by.
5. Self-confidence.
How do you build confidence in yourself as a writer? You write. It’s so simple that it’s complicated.
The reason why writers struggle with self-confidence at the beginning of their journey is because they are still sitting on the dock, waiting, imagining.
They haven’t yet confronted the brutal reality that, once they begin, they probably aren’t going to be great at writing.
It’s going to take practice. So to overcome this fear and START gaining self-confidence, you need to rip the bandaid off and begin.
The reframe here is: that nobody starts confident. Confidence is something you build as you move forward.
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6. Generating ideas.
A lot of writers have this fear that someone is going to “steal their ideas.” But writers who are afraid of other writers stealing their ideas are afraid because they don’t know how to create more ideas.
Said differently: they value the ideas they have SO MUCH because they don’t have the skill of creating more ideas on command.
7. Impostor syndrome.
The reason writers experience Imposter Syndrome is that we are taught that writing is all about “fitting in” where readers already are.
It’s about becoming a “better” writer than the next person — which is what leads to the feeling of being an imposter. We don’t believe this is a healthy path forward for writers.
A better way of thinking about your path forward as a writer is figuring out how you can be DIFFERENT, not “better” than the competition.
After all, how can you be an imposter if you create something completely different for yourself? You aren’t competing with anyone. You’re a 1/1.
8. Writing consistently.
The vast majority of writers & creators don’t have a talent problem. They have a consistency problem.
It’s a cliché because it’s true. Look at any successful writer, author, or even YouTuber, content creator, musician, artist, etc.
Anyone who has stood the test of time did so because they were able to create prolifically over a prolonged period. Consistency, in itself, is a powerful differentiator.
9. Choosing a platform.
Where’s the best place to write online? The honest answer to this question is: anywhere including your blog.
Write in social publishing environments like Twitter, Quora, Medium, and LinkedIn, and use them as a platform to repurpose existing articles on your blog because of consistent algorithm updates.
10. Finding time to write.
And of course, one of the biggest reasons writers don’t write is because they “don’t have time.”
Well, here’s the thing — not just about writing, but about anything in life: when it comes to making progress on things that are important to us, you don’t “find” time.
You make time. We call these hours your Sacred Hours, and encourage writers to make time where they are a) most likely to be productive, but b) least likely to be disturbed by the outside world.
Your Sacred Hours might be early in the morning, at lunch, or night. But it’s on you to pinpoint them, and then protect them.
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Conclusion.
Writing is a solitary journey filled with challenges, but remember, every writer, from seasoned authors to aspiring bloggers, encounters these hurdles.
From the daunting blank page to the relentless pursuit of perfection, these obstacles can be overwhelming. However, with a strategic approach and a resilient spirit, they can be conquered.
By understanding the common pitfalls — like procrastination, self-doubt, and writer’s block — and implementing practical solutions, you can significantly enhance your writing process.
Establishing a consistent routine, seeking feedback, and nurturing your creativity are essential steps towards overcoming these challenges.
Every piece you produce brings you closer to mastering your skills. Embrace the journey, learn from your experiences, and most importantly, enjoy the process of transforming ideas into words.
Hey There!
Tired of empty promises and endless hustles? learn how to you exactly how to turn your skills and passions into your first $1,000 online. Stop dreaming, start earning.
Get Started – bit.ly/3R5FUVi
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