10 Things Happy, Productive Writers Do & What They Don’t Need To Do

Sometimes I see what other coaches are posting, sending or sharing and I think, “Wow. Wow. Seriously…wow.”

Is writing such a competitive field that all that intensity and snarkiness is really necessary?

Is it really appropriate to talk down to people, try to make them feel dumb, and then try to sell them something so they can be “better”?

The truth is that anyone who wishes to write or who enjoys writing is not dumb. They might be inexperienced or green in the ways of the professional world, but they don’t need to get more intense, become more paranoid, or focus on the competition much at all to become successful.

You can be relaxed and successful. Writers are often anxious enough as it is, especially if they are not writing enough. And some people try to take advantage of this, I guess.

There is a time to check out the competition and see where you fit against the firmament of writers, but I hope you are not merely scrutinizing others to try to crush the competition.

The folks who put out this snarky, competitive vibe seem desperate and mean to me, not sophisticated, savvy or successful.

Long story short, if you are focused on what everyone (or anyone else) else is doing, you are not in your power. You are living in the shadow of your powerful self.

So don’t focus on the competition. Focus on yourself and your habits. It’s your habits that are going to determine your success.

Here’s what you need to do to be a happy, productive writer, who pays only a little, very detached attention to the competition.

1. Focus on your own goals.
2. Strive for clarity in your work productivity.
3. Enjoy the process of creating and earning.
4. Continually build your business assets.
5. Look for more ways to expand and reach out.
6. Love what you do a little more every day.
7. Know that your work is important and how it makes the world a better place.
8. Steer clear of mentors who are too intense and/or who need you to be too intense.
9. Celebrate your successes small and large.
10. Strive for continual excellence, whatever this means to you.

Success is an inside job. And striving for gradual, healthy success can make you a happier, more balanced person.

It’s not a dog-eat-dog world. There are some dog-eat-dog people telling themselves that they are living in a dog-eat-dog world and they have to do x, y, or z to survive. But wouldn’t you rather be the creative person, who is relaxed and focused, knowing that you will get back more than what you invest in your good, consistent work?

Be happy in your work. When you are happy, the return on investment is joy.

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~ Photo by Todd Quackenbush