So, you don’t feel like writing. Want to know a secret? Neither do I! Things are hard for me personally right now, which makes things like writing feel impossible … even though it’s my job. What many people don’t tell you about motivation is that most of the time, it doesn’t come to you. You have to manifest it.
And the only way to do that — and this might shock you — is by writing.
Waiting for Motivation Will Fail You Every Time
Feeling motivated to write is, genuinely, an amazing feeling! When it happens. And we’re lucky to experience it when we do. But for writers who are determined to turn their creativity into a paid opportunity — whether in the form of a full-time career or just as a way to make money on the side — literally can’t afford to wait around for motivation to strike. Writing is work, and the work needs to get done whether you feel motivated to do it or not.
No, it’s not fun. And yes, it does sometimes take a bit of the wonder and magic out of writing as a practice. But if you really want writing to become more than just a hobby, you have to accept that your days of writing only when you felt like it are pretty much over. You can still write for fun, but you still have to do it — especially when you don’t feel like doing it.
Not Feeling Motivated to Write? Write Anyway!
Is this easier said than done? Absolutely. I don’t feel like writing right now (hence, the topic of this week’s post). But hey! I’m doing it! And not just because I waited until I felt motivated to start. In moments like these, you have to figure out something that’s going to push you into starting — because the beginning is actually the hardest part. What that actually looks like is going to be different for everyone, but I can tell you what’s been working for me lately.
I have a specific reward waiting for me when I finish writing this draft. There’s literally a chocolate bar on the corner of my desk. I only get to have it when I’m done. This will not work for everyone! But when your brain can’t come up with a reason for you to both start and finish your task, sometimes you just have to give it one.
But I also have another trick that works: I know ahead of time which days I’m writing, what I’ll be working on, and an estimate of how long I’ll be working on it.
Treat Writing Like an Appointment on Your Calendar
Remember earlier how I mentioned that leveling up your writing and pushing yourself toward the path of professional writing means you’re going to have to write even when you don’t feel like it? One of the most effective methods I’ve found for putting this into practice is to literally block out writing time like it’s an appointment. I add it to my calendar. I know it’s coming before the start time hits.
There are honestly weeks where this is the only reason I get my writing done. This is one of those weeks. I typically write blog posts on Tuesdays and schedule them to publish every Wednesday. If it’s on my calendar, it’s like a meeting. I have to show up and do the work. The boss says so. (It’s me. I’m the boss. I say so!)
Again — not a method that’s going to work for everyone. But you never know until you try!
Meg Dowell Writes 