In a post on Killzone, Sue Coletta offers advice on adopting a writing mindset. For Coletta, this mindset starts first thing in the morning. “Every morning I watch the sunrise,” she says. “Why? Because it grounds me with a positive mindset for the day. If you roll over and slap the snooze button, dreading the day ahead, you’ll start the day with a negative mindset. Things tend to roll downhill from there.”
This also applies to your attitude about your writing. Do you tell yourself you’re not good at writing? Or do you have a learning mindset, reminding yourself that you will be a good writer. “Success is not about how many books you’ve sold, the amount of traffic to your blog, or even an article going viral,” Coletta says. “Instead, success is about progress, growth, and moving forward. That type of success is sustainable and filled with joy.”
If you struggle with a negative mindset, try to turn the story around, Coletta advises. Instead of seeing problems, see opportunities. Instead of getting blocked by a problem, do your research. Instead of being irritated by criticism, appreciate the feedback. “People in general who believe that their efforts and strategies can lead to success are likely to engage in learning activities and take on challenges with enthusiasm, so they learn more, which reinforces their belief that they can learn to write well,” Coletta adds. “In fact, according to some psychologists, this confidence, or self-efficacy, is central to motivation and learning.”
Stay positive about your writing and be flexible with your schedules and inspiration. Never say never about any aspect of your writing. You may find that you feel more in control of your writing, better able to replicate successes, and have more ideas and energy than you can handle.
