This article was written by Daphne Gray-Grant, the Publication Coach, and is worth the read over on her website. Although Daphne doesn’t have a blog (yet), she frequently updates her website with fresh articles about writing. I recommend you go there to read the full article.
Can you identify with any of these negative thoughts when you go to write something?
1) I’m a lousy writer; I don’t have the talent to do this- (If you discover that you’re constantly bad-mouthing yourself as you write, replace the inner negative chatter with the following statement: “Writing is about practice. The more I do, the better I’ll get.")
2) I don’t have the time to write- (When you’re planning your writing time, think in small increments, not big chunks. Remember: If you write 300-350 words a day, you’ll have written a decent-length book by the end of a year.)
3) I’d better do a really good job on this (article, report, letter) because my reputation/sales results hinge on it- (When you’re writing, you need to shut down the tiny yet persistent voice that tells you how much you have riding on this job. Instead, do what the athletes do. Focus on the ball –- in your case that means: focus on what you’re writing.)
4) I need to write about this topic- (Instead, choose a topic that excites you and has you fairly bursting to write.)
5) Writing is too hard- (Lifting bricks is hard; waiting tables is hard; telling someone they have cancer is hard. Writing is not hard. Writing is just writing.)
My favorite, most frequent pesky voice says this: "As soon as I get caught up with (email, ezines, blogging…fill in the blanks) I’ll write that article…"
What’s yours?
Remember, the gremlin you share is a gremlin you squash…
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