Authorship, Publishing, Books and More

Your Why, Discipline, and Motivation

Put writing on your daily calendar.

Despite being motivated are you still struggling with your writing?

Recently, I’ve had a few private students who are very motivated but for some reason, they weren’t getting results. In fact, it’s one of the reasons, they asked me to coach them.

During our weekly check in call, they’ve both reported they’ve written nothing, zero, not one word.

We took a step back and tried to break down what is happening.

We covered their why.

Both knew why they were writing a book. They had that covered.

Yes, they were motivated. Both want to have a finished, polished manuscript ready to publish at the end of 2021.

I knew we had to dig deeper as to what was happening.

After some brainstorming, I realized it was due to a thing called discipline.

You can have your why and be motivated but without discipline you might as well have neither of those things.

Discipline is necessary for getting the job done.

It’s a problem that happens when you begin working for yourself. You no longer having someone telling you what to do and when to do it.

It’s tough and it’s impossible some people and the reason they return to the workplace.

Writing is like that too. You need discipline. You have to tell yourself when to write and what to write.

You know I’m a fan of writing schedules. A set time each day that you write and do nothing else but write.

My two students set up an appointment schedule where they wrote at the same time each day. It was on their calendar and they’ve stuck with it like any other must do commitment they have.

On my call with them earlier this week, both have reported, writing got done. In fact, one of them told me, they’ve written their first three chapters.

Writing a book is about the intersection of your why, motivation, and that magical thing called discipline.

Set your schedule, stick to it, no matter what and see what happens.

Hi, don't miss anything that happens This Writer's Life. Sign up to become a subscriber and be notified every time a new post gets added.

You have successfully subscribed to the newsletter

There was an error while trying to send your request. Please try again.

This Writer's Life will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.