I’ve probably been stuck in a writer’s block 9/10 times every time I try to write. I have an idea of ​​what to write, but I question my ideas a few minutes later. My vocabulary shrinks the minute I try to start writing, and I end up looking at a blank document most of the time before I’m ready to quit for the day.

Some say you have to find your motivation that will motivate you to become a writer. I say I have a ton of reasons to motivate me. But I think motivation is only part of the equation in keeping your momentum alive.

There are days when motivation won’t do anything for me because I let my impulse control my actions and behaviors. I succumb to comfort rather than wanting to face putting myself out.

While I am driven to fulfill my dream of becoming a successful writer and reap all the rewards that come with it, I am not disciplined enough to create a lifestyle dedicated to content creation.

The reason?

Well they are listed below.

1. I am not a constant reader.

I do not read a lot.

At least more.

I loved to bury my nose in a book when I was a kid. But my passion for reading waned with age. I was frustrated with myself because I was going to the bottom of the page and my mind would be elsewhere. I would completely forget where I am.

I try to be read consistently.

I set myself a goal of reading 30 minutes a day! I even hit my reading goal for a few days and finally didn’t. I started 3 books since last year and haven’t finished any.

What does this have to do with my writing? I have read in many articles that to be a good writer you MUST be consistent with your reading.

To anyone reading this, I want you to enjoy reading what I write. I want you to hear my voice in what I write.

But I buried this with this huge fear that what I’m producing isn’t going to be good and that my writing isn’t worth reading.

2. I create goals and I don’t stick to them

As mentioned in my reading goal, I’m so excited to start a goal and then I don’t see that goal until the end.

In the self-help articles I’ve read, I’ve used tips like “write down your goals” because they’re supposed to motivate you to stick with that goal.

If it worked for you, great!

But I’m not sure it really works for me.

I was so overwhelmed by the goals I set for myself, whether they were short term or long term goals. I have now realized that I expect so much of myself.

Although I can be capable of anything, I am also a human being. I think it is sometimes scary to pursue your goals because it takes time, discipline and commitment to stick to it. It is either you are in it or you are absent.

You are either ham or eggs.

The pig or the chicken.

3. I’m not ready to be uncomfortable

I’m afraid, there I said it.

I’m afraid to put my handwriting in there with my name on it. I’m afraid to prioritize something that I constantly tell myself I’m no good at and get something out of it.

I have two jobs. I have a stable income. I have job security.

I’m comfortable where I am, but I’m not happy.

I’m trying so hard to gain the confidence to put the things I’m writing out there all the time. But as I mentioned earlier, I’m so scared and see a big flaw in my writing that I’m not ready for people I know to read my writing.

Crazy, isn’t it?

I don’t let anyone I know read the things I write because I’m nervous to hear their comments. Which is so silly because it shouldn’t matter. But deep down it is.

I read two articles last week that really flipped a switch for me!

The article below which was written by Tom kuegler helped me understand that the people you know only really care to read your writing when it’s about them. If you’re like me and afraid to show off, read this and his other work. It provides valuable advice that you can apply in your life if you’re struggling to become a great writer.

Tim denningThe article below has guided me towards the perception that it doesn’t matter what people think of your writing. Feedback will be negative or positive. Your work will be loved by some, loved by others and hated by many.

It has helped me understand that no matter who can read my writing and what they think about my writing is not my concern. It will put me off and hurt in the long run if I write just to please everyone.

Check out his article below as well as his other work for more content on how to gain a different perspective when you think failure is your only other option.

4. I have an all or nothing state of mind

Does anyone else share this mindset? Where do you give your all or do you make no effort at all?

Well, this all or nothing mentality is my holy grail.

Either you give it your best and your audience is worth reading it, or you don’t post anything at all.

I typed and deleted so many pieces that I wrote because I felt it was stupid or that no one would want to read what I wrote.

I didn’t believe in my writing skills.

I thought all I was capable of was being a writer on content factories like UpWork or Fiverr.

I considered myself a total fraud.

I wasn’t sure if I would publish anything that I created. I craved perfection and it just didn’t happen.

But having that all-or-nothing mindset bothers you. The perfectionist mindset will drive you mad. It is not something that you should be going through. Nothing is ever covered in pure perfection.

I will never achieve or ever get closer to my goals if I continue to have this type of mindset because something is always better than nothing.

Flaws make things unique.

Nothing good comes quickly.

Baby walk first, run later.

5. I procrastinate

I procrastinate so much that it’s ridiculous.

When I was in college, I did my homework the same evening. I would study hours before my exams! I wrote down schedules, created all kinds of checklists, and marked days on my calendar that I would dedicate to helping me prepare for my exams or start my homework.

But no matter how far in advance I prepared, I was never mentally ready to do the job.

It is much easier to plan how you want things to turn out than to achieve them.

The only reason I even started my assignments at the very last second possible was that there was a due date.

As a freelance designer of any type, you set your own deadlines.

You set your own goals.

You are working on YOUR time that you set for yourself.

And yes, I want to reap the benefits of being a smart and talented writer.

I want to be able to introduce myself and say I wrote this! There are so many reasons to motivate me to get closer to my goal. But I’m also the reason I procrastinate.

I waste my time prioritizing other things like social media, TV, and other unnecessary things that make me semi-happy. It’s hard to stay consistent with my writing and be confident enough to finish what I started.

In order for me to become a better writer, I have to take myself seriously. If I don’t set a time or deadline, who will?

All of these reasons being said, I think I’m ready to recognize the flaws that keep me from being the creator I want to become.

Which is easier said than done.

I realized that the goals I create overwhelm me because I put so much on my plate that I’m just the chicken. I am the eggs.

If I allow motivation to be my only driver, I will also let impulses come in when motivation no longer feeds me. I need to discipline myself to be able to question myself on days when motivation is not accessible to me.

I just need to commit to taking baby steps, being consistent and disciplined because that will help me become the writer I dreamed of being.

To be successful is mind over matter, just remember that you are also human.

Being able to learn about yourself and be the best “you” is the hardest part of self-discovery! Hope you enjoyed this piece and thank you very much for reading!

If you liked what you read, check out my other work!

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Previously published on average

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Photo credit: by Steve johnson at Unsplash