4 Excuses That Can Derail A First-Time Author?
4 Excuses That Can Derail A First-Time Author?
You know, so many people say they want to write a book. Many talk about the book they are going to write and then for one reason or another they will talk themselves out of it or just let their book idea fall by the wayside.
Many would-be authors get stranded at the start. They just don’t seem to be able to begin writing their book.
Some are waiting for the ideal time. Others are searching for the perfect place to write, and there are those who believe that they must be in a place which they will think is their inspiration nook.
Or there will be something else. Another excuse. Anything.
Time
Time is a big problem for many. Well, let me tell you something.
You have all the time in the world to do everything that is truly important to you.
Now let’s say you are planning to start, and this is the day, but next a friend or partner interrupts your plan and says let’s meet for a coffee and you do just that.
At that point in time meeting for a coffee is what’s important.
Meeting for a coffee has become more important than writing your book. So the coffee meeting gets a higher priority in your time allocation than actually working on your book.
Prioritising your obligations is the major principle behind managing your time and being more productive. You need to identify the elements that make up the core of your existence and then rank those commitments.
Working out your priorities is what will help you to see where you can find time for your creative pursuits. The task of writing will need to be ranked highly on your list of priorities.
Life gets in the way
People’s lives are full of all the things they are obligated to do. The people who repetitively say they are “gonna write their book” lead active, busy lives.
Life gets in the way, however. For many would-be authors, they never sit down long enough to focus on their writing and produce a manuscript.
They overload their time and do everything else except what they say they want to do, and that is to write.
Procrastination
Do you fritter your time away pursuing meaningless activities and do you sabotage yourself by letting time slip by?
Those who suffer from procrastination tend to put all their energy into tasks that have lesser importance?
If you have a job you will show up for work every day otherwise you’ll be sacked. You are not likely to say “oh’ I really don’t feel like it today” and so don’t go to work.
If you have a job you’ll show up or else suffer the consequences.
As a writer, you must show up at the appointed time to write. You need to make that commitment to yourself otherwise you’ll be a victim of procrastination.
Procrastination will become more important than writing your book.
You must manage yourself by making an appointment with yourself. You must allocate time to write – maybe 30 or 60 minutes a day or longer.
Set a goal for writing “x” number of words each day and go for it. It does come down to discipline, and your motivation for doing it.
Self-limiting beliefs
I believe that many suffer doubts about their ability to write and they fear that they are not good enough? They doubt their knowledge and worry that they don’t know enough.
They fear what others will think and worry that their friends and family will not be supportive.
Try this exercise. Write down all your self-limiting beliefs.
Once you’ve identified these write a positive statement beside each self-limiting belief. Put them in the form of a positive affirmation that will demonstrate to you that you do have what it takes to be a successful author.
As you write down these 5 limiting beliefs and then counter these with positive statements you say to yourself that you’re knocking out those self-limiting beliefs that are pulling you down.
Turn those self-limiting beliefs into positive affirmations.
For example,
I’m very knowledgeable about my subject matter.
I have great writing ability.
I never worry about what others think of me.
I forge ahead and do what I want to do.
I am a successful author.
Once you identify the negative beliefs and turn them into positives read them each day, and better still, say them out loud every day. You will become unstoppable.
You’ll then find the time to sit down and write that book!
The solution
The problems of getting organised, managing your time, procrastination, and self-doubt will resolve when you crystallise your reason to write.
Some writers, just like artists, say they write when they get the inspiration – so they wait for the muse to magically appear.
My experience is that when you embark on some creative pursuit, inspiration will spring from the sheer act of systematically working on what is in front of you. The repetitive act of creating a piece of writing or artwork will, in turn, result in inspiration.
You can make it happen. If you develop the habit of writing daily, even for short bursts of time, productivity and creativity will advance.
This, in turn, creates momentum.
How big is your why?
Your inner drive will propel your creativity and you will be compelled to move forward. Nothing will stop you.
Nothing will get in your way. When you examine the reason for wanting to create a book many of the challenges will resolve if the “why” is big enough.
When the “why” is big, you are driven internally and you will pursue your goals relentlessly.
Don’t wait for success to happen because, if you do, it’s going to be a very long wait. You have to take the initiative, seize control, create opportunities, and make things happen.
Marji Hill
Author and Coach