May 14, 2020
How To Develop a Daily Writing Habit?
“The scariest moment is always just before you start.”
― Stephen King
Writing itself is challenging to many. Writing everyday can be even more daunting, and it certainly was to me in the very beginning.
Here are my 8 tips that can assist you in building your daily writing habits.
1. Find Your “Why” — Have a Good Reason
Having a concrete reason as to “why” you want to write every single day is pretty much the most important factor in this pursuit.
You have to acknowledge the fact that there will be days when you won’t feel like writing. Your motivation, your “Why” will actually help you to get up and sit on your writing chair and start writing.
For me, I wasn’t good at writing but still was mesmerized by the idea of my thoughts being on the internet read by many. That made me write more and more. And the more I wrote, the better I got.
So take some time out for yourself and find your “why”.
2. Determine Your Goal
Now that you have the reason why you want to write in the first place, it’s time that you start setting realistic goals for yourself. I would recommend that you don’t set goals like writing 1000 words per day right at the very beginning.
Remember that our primary focus is to build a habit of writing everyday. Start small. You can always increase your numbers as you get comfortable with the process.
I started off with just 200 words per day. Today, I write close to 2000 (although it varies).
3. Set Your Writing Time(s)
Although it’s not necessary to have a fixed time to writing, I would recommend you treat it like a mandatory meeting that you have to attend every day at that specific time. That way you will at least build the habit of sitting to write which will in turn help you build the habit.
For me I like to read the first thing in the morning. So, my writing starts at around 10 am every day. I like to take regular breaks and don’t treat it like a job. By evening, I always find that I managed more than 1500 words. It sometimes crosses 2000.
4. Make Writing Pleasurable
This is also a very important factor. If you want to enjoy writing, you need to enjoy the process. And the process includes where you sit, what’s around you, the environment, etc. If you sit at a messy place with lots of noise every single day, mark my words you will start losing interest in writing soon.
If you ask what my place looks like, it’s pretty minimalistic. I have a desk setup close to my balcony with a comfortable chair. There is less noise and I clean my writing room before I sit to read or write. Also, make yourself a cup of tea or coffee. Enjoy writing. Don’t torture.
5. Follow Other Writers
When you follow writers who write daily and check their Instagram or Blog, you will find the motivation to write yourself too. It has occurred to me multiple times that I didn’t feel like writing and so I browsed through the writers I follow. I get inspiration out of nowhere. Actually you feel bad that everybody around you is writing something and you aren’t. It helps.
Moreover, following other writers will give you ideas on topics to write on.
6. Block Off Undistracted Time
Writing is like mindfulness. Can you meditate with someone playing rock songs in full volume beside you? Maybe you can, but most of us certainly won’t.
Writing requires the same. Keep your phones away. Stop your email notification. Block all of the distractions that can probably hamper your focus. Then just start writing.
You will be surprised by how much you can get done in 30 minutes of undistracted writing.
7. Practice Embracing Imperfection
This is not just to writing, if you are posting something on the Internet, be prepared to receive criticism of some sort. The same goes with writing. When you are writing daily, there will be people who won’t like what you write, they may not like your perspective, your writing styles, and the list can go on and on. But start embracing imperfection. Acknowledge the fact that if you are writing something, you are doing it based on your perspective. Others have the right to judge because they are reading it based on their perspective. Don’t get disheartened or discouraged by that. Embrace them.
8. If You Want To Be A Writer — Act Like One
Last but not the least, if you want to be writer, start acting like one. Follow successful writers and see what they did to become so successful in their lives. Do what writers do. Read from time to time. Increase your vocabulary. The more you indulge yourself in developing a writer’s skills, the more natural writing will come to you.
I hope these points help you. It certainly did to me.
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See you tomorrow. :)
