Whether you aspire to be a writer, already are a writer, or you need to do some writing for your business, there is one thing we all have in common. At one time or another we have all lamented, "why is this so hard?!"
I think a lot of people romanticize writing, like it's a time-out to relax or something. I'm just sitting here, lounging in the sun with my laptop…(insert that needle-scratching-a-record sound signaling an abrupt stop). Yeah, that's not what it's like, even for experienced writers.
Acknowledging that writing is hard isn't a reason to stop. Writing is something the world needs. Even in this world of TikTok videos and voice recordings, writing is necessary. It can change lives for the better. It can help make your business successful. The world still needs the written word.
Instead of focusing on the reality that writing can be hard, let's focus on some solutions. Here are some of the main reasons you probably find writing difficult, and what you can do about it.
Perfectionism is so divisive it can even prevent us from trying to write something at all. Why even start if it won't be any good (read: perfect)? Being stuck in perfectionism leads to endless amounts of time and energy wasted beating ourselves up. The consequence of perfectionism? A blank screen. The blinking cursor. No writing accomplished. Perfectionism is exhausting. That's the worst thing about perfectionism - it can stop you from creating altogether!
I've not found a cure for perfectionism (and I've tried). The only way to deal with it is to acknowledge it (hey there perfectionist, bug off), and keep writing. That whole feel the fear and do it anyway thing applies right here. Looking that perfectionist gremlin right in the eye will give it less power over you.
Allowing your writing to see the light of day, regardless of whether it's perfect or not, is essential to desensitizing yourself to perfectionism. Show your writing to a trusted friend or colleague who you know will be supportive. I also put a limit on how many times I'll edit something. At some point you have to stop and let your writing out to the masses (whoever that may be for you). Get comfortable being uncomfortable with your finished work. I tell myself, done is better than perfect.
Procrastination is the first cousin of perfectionism. Where perfectionism is a state of mind, a belief, procrastination is an action we choose to take. We have control over our actions. We intentionally put something off. And off. And off. You know it if you do it. So, I use the word indulging intentionally, because I've come to believe that when I give in to procrastination, I'm really coddling myself. Procrastination is going easy on yourself, letting yourself off the hook.
I will return every email, go through old files, heck, I'll even clean my office, before I'll start working on an article I'm dreading. Of course, all procrastination does is make you feel crappy about yourself, reduce how much time you have to work on something, and basically make everything worse. What's so powerful is when you take responsibility for your actions (this is not the same as beating yourself up), you can change them. You can build new habits.
One of my habits when I notice I have the vacuum in my hand instead of my computer mouse, is to give myself a set amount of time to work on something. I tell myself that I will work on (whatever) for 30 minutes, and if at the end of that time I still hate what I'm doing, I can stop. Nine times out of 10, I will have gotten myself onto some sort of writing path, and I want to keep going. I'm still working on overcoming procrastination, but hey, this article is done, isn't it! Stop letting yourself off the hook.
What business do I have writing this? I have no idea what I'm doing!
Feeling like a fraud or doubting your abilities is often a component of going outside your comfort zone. Writing is by nature uncomfortable because it's always a new experience. But, no amount of experience or skill will help you if you don't believe in yourself. If writing makes you feel like an imposter, you're in good company. If you have to build yourself up despite really believing it, fake it ‘til you make it.
I have a little quote posted by my desk that says, "Darling, just f*cking own it." Profanity aside, I often need this reminder. Own your choice to write, own your writing. Positive or negative feedback, take it in but it doesn't define your abilities. Learn from your mistakes, work on doing better, be committed to figuring it out. Never let an insensitive question or negative feedback do you in. Darling, own it!
Writing can definitely become especially hard if we get in our head too much. You might be overthinking what you want to write about. You're stuck in a narrative about how terrible of a writer you are. Your brain is jibber-jabbering about how much you hate writing. You're thinking the writing you have to do is too important for you to screw up. This leads to judging instead of creating. It also leads to writing being even harder than it already is! Like with the other negative thoughts and beliefs around writing, acknowledge you're overthinking and get out of your head. This is an instance where I approve of (because these things are also excellent ways to procrastinate, so be careful) getting out for a walk or fresh air, visiting with a friend, playing with a child. Doing a writing sprint can help a lot with over-thinking as well. I'm getting to more on sprints, keep reading. If you're over-thinking, do something, anything, that changes your focus to help you calm your thoughts.
What we focus on expands. The more you tell yourself that writing is hard, you hate writing, you suck at writing, the more you will manifest just that experience. All these feelings come from caring about what you are writing, and that's terrific. But, if you only concentrate on the negative aspects of writing, your experience is sure to be negative. Find one thing you like about writing. It might be an opportunity to tell your story. Perhaps it's your chance to get some time to yourself. Maybe it's getting out an important message about your business. There is a positive reason why you are writing. Find it and hold onto it.
This is the most straight-forward challenge to writing - editing while you are writing. Just don't do it. Allow yourself to only write whatever your thought or project is, then go back through to begin the editing process.
It's human nature to want to write the best piece right out of the gate. Editing simultaneously seems most efficient. The creative process of writing, no matter what you're writing, needs to be unrestricted to really get anywhere. Interrupting the writing flow constantly to fix something or tweak a section will kill your creativity and your productivity.
Ignore spelling and track changes markings on your screen, don't look up at your monitor constantly, force yourself to keep going.
Writing sprints are a great way to shut off your editor because the goal is to write as much as you can in a set amount of time. Writing sprints work well because you don't have time to overthink or question what you're writing. Set an alarm for 10 - 30 minutes for a spring and start writing.
The goal is to make progress with your writing. Worry about editing and revising later.
"I'm just not motivated today."
What a crock of BS. Like procrastination, the idea of needing motivation is just an excuse we use to postpone something. Motivation comes from action, not the other way around. Just START.
Truth is, writing can be hard. Anything worthwhile in life is usually difficult, time-consuming, and even painstaking to complete. I don't honestly think writing should always feel easy. When it is, believe me, I love and appreciate it. I also know by now that it will be fleeting. Important things are rarely free from difficulty.
Embrace the challenge of writing, push through the tough times, and I promise you will grow as a person, as well as a writer. Please don't give up. Keep at it. You have a perspective that no one else has. YOU can make a unique contribution with your writing, and I hope you never lose sight of that.
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Noelle has been a marketing professional, and a published author and copywriter for over 20 years. Her work has been featured in both print publications and online media, where she has written on a broad range of topics. She owns Castle Media Co., assisting businesses with their marketing and digital media needs, specializing in website development, content marketing, social media, copywriting, and blogging.
