Writing is hard – that’s not a secret. When you consider that “81 percent of Americans feel they have a book in them” but only a small percentage of folks actually accomplish writing one and even less become published, it’s not surprising to hear people are struggling with writing. With around 140k American writers, but more than 323 million people in the United States, there’s definitely a disconnect with that 81% mentioned above.
As someone who writes on a daily basis (both as a technical writer for a software company and for numerous blogs), finding the motivation to sit down and write for myself is often the most challenging thing I tackle. And if I’m being 100% honest, I regularly fail at accomplishing this task. In fact, I fail so often I sometimes find myself second guessing whether I truly have something inside me worth sharing, when really I’ve just lacked the motivation and the inspiration.
Inspiration can spark from anything.
Inspiration can literally stem from anything, if you approach it with the correct frame of mind. Some of my best topics have come from reading other blogs, magazines, billboards, etc. and it’s a practice I continue using today. When I find something interesting that someone else authored, I actively change how I approach it. I start asking questions on if I could write this better? Could I offer a different perspective? Could I contribute something of value to this topic? I approach these articles and news sources intentionally with the prospect of finding inspiration.
Spark that inspiration intentionally
If I were to look around my office right now with the intention to write, I see tea, wedding photos, water, makeup… any of those items could spark an article. However, blogging just for the sake of blogging may be viewed as a waste of time – I prefer to write intentionally. For example, I could blog about the benefits I’ve found from sipping tea on a regular basis. I could write about drinking enough water and eating healthier. I could jot down my thoughts about makeup.
But none of those topics would spark joy within me.
Instead, I’ll approach these things from the perspective of what brings me great joy – what do I think I could write that would be something of value to others that I would enjoy writing. Going back to my office, from these items, I could write about my experiences having a low-key wedding and how that was perfect for my husband and I, how it freed us up to have a more meaningful ceremony, how it gave us time to connect in a relaxed manner with our guests. When you’re passionate not only about writing but about WHAT you’re writing, you’ll want to do more of it. That little piece in your brain will light up and you’ll feel more accomplished.
You’re going to write things that suck.
Don’t be discouraged, but you are going to write more than a few flops in your lifetime. Not everything you write will be a winner. It can’t be – how else will you grow? If you were amazing at writing already, you might not be passionate about it. Think about it – the things you tend to be the most passionate about are the things you continue to learn and grow from. If it came naturally to you, it would be easy and boring – just a mundane task. We want to do things that inspire us and spark that little something inside of us that make us feel like total badasses.
So don’t be afraid to get out there and find that thing to spark your supremeness.
You are Supreme – Supremely You.
Signed Supremely Me,
Aly
Let us know in the comments: Where do you find your motivation to write? What do you find inspiring?
