What do you really want?

Wanting to Write

Motivation is something a lot of writers struggle with. They have this grand vision for a novel all planned out, but they just don’t make the time to get the words on paper. Some people have a full schedule, playing in recreational sports leagues, board game nights with friends, or going on date nights with their partner. Others might spend more time relaxing; watching Netflix or reading at home. The end result is the same: free time all gobbled up and no writing getting done. This can be frustrating. It seems like you want to write, but you’re just… not.

What’s going on?

We want a lot of things. Some of us want to participate in sports or play board games with friends (good!). Some of us want (need) to relax after a long, stressful day at work. You do want to write, you’re not crazy, you just also want to do other things too. Typically, if you are doing things other than writing, some part of you (the biggest or more powerful part) wants to be doing those other things more.

What can you do about it?

First off—stop stressing. Becoming a great writer isn’t going to happen over night. It’s not going to happen in a year or even five years. Worrying about missing a night or a week of writing is only going to harm you. Accept the fact that you want a lot of things, and realize that that’s okay.

Next, make conscious choices. When you finish binge-watching a show on Netflix, decide whether or not you want to cut the next show out for a month. Consider taking that chunk of your night and subbing writing (or YouTube videos on writing) in instead. You need to make room for writing--that time won’t appear on its own.

Finally, if you still feel like you want to be writing more, but are missing motivation, try choosing your own idols. Alter your consumption, swap out your heroes, and soon you’ll find it easier to take a month off Netflix in favor of a few hours chasing your dream.

Live deliberately. Search your thoughts and decide what you really want. Then act with confidence and (hopefully) live without regret.