Although we can’t always control the impact and results of our writing and content creation,
we can decide WHO we will be as we write.
As I researched famous Unstoppable Writers and what set them apart, I came across countless characteristics. When asked to pick the top three for a recent live training, which you can watch here,
I picked these three:
DECISIVE
Consistent writers are decisive. They know how to focus in and finish their projects. Although creatives are assailed by a thousand ideas, the unstoppable ones who finish are those who PICK and DECIDE what to spend their time on.
There will always be more ideas than we have time for. This is the blessing and curse of being creative.
Unstoppable Writers have a list of future ideas, but the ideas they are working on are one or two. They want to see the ideas through to completion before moving on to the next one.
If you are terrible at making decisions, don’t worry.
Decision making is a skill and can be learned and improved upon. If you struggle with making decisions, here are a few exercises and ideas to get you started.
Idea #1: Nothing will be perfect. Decide what is good enough and then let it go. Instead of scrambling and cycling into anxiousness over wanting MORE information, MORE time and MORE feedback: make a decision and decide when enough is enough. Don’t be afraid to finish, let things go and to move on. Nothing will be perfect so instead of spending 3 hours looking for the perfect blog picture, pick the picture that matches 80 % of what you are looking for. Instead of spending 10 years on a book because it needs to be ‘better,’ give yourself a time limit, do your best and then hit publish so you can work on the next book idea.
Exercise 1: When you go out to eat the next time, give yourself a 5 minute limit to deciding on what you will eat. Bonus points if you pick the first thing that sounds good to you and stick to it.
Excercise 2: If you struggle getting dressed in the morning, pick the first thing that catches your attention and put it on. Give yourself a 3 minute time limit.
Time Limits are the friend of decisiveness. Powerful leaders make decisions quickly and only change their minds slowly. This ensures that emotional energy is preserved for higher creativity and important projects.
PERSISTENT
Annie Dillard’s article on “Living Like Weasels” is a great place to start. Looking at the life of anyone who has achieved greatness is another place to begin.
If you have a note-worthy goal, you will need buckets of PERSISTENCE to make it.
Persistent people never give up. They may face discouragement and feel like giving up. They may even give up for a day, but then they dust themselves off and continue forward.
Will you write with persistence?
Will you write regardless of whether your books are best-sellers, your bank account gains millions and whether you become famous or not?
Writing takes time.
Writing is a skill that must be attended to and developed.
No one is born with phenomenal writing skills. They are learned.
Every single writer you admire has spent years practicing persistence.
Are you willing to join their ranks?
I hope you are because the world needs YOU: your voice, your story and message.
There are people waiting to hear your words, but they will never hear them if you do not PERSIST.
RESOURCEFUL
Resourceful writers are creative, out of the box thinkers.
They are not tied to having the perfect desk, environment or opportunities. They know their end goal and will do whatever it takes to get there.
This means they are open to opportunities and willing to learn.
They do not blame or make excuses.
They run from negativity and seek solutions, empowerment and help.
They take courses, hire coaches, and do what it takes to write and move towards their goals.
Being resourceful is OWNING your power and responsibility as a writer.
As you continue on your writing journey, ask yourself, What are the characteristics of consistent writers and creators?
Then make it personal, Who will I be on my writing journey?
Share in the comments what you have decided and join the private Unstoppable Writers group to be inspired by others who have decided to become unstoppable.