If you have ever felt stuck on your writing journey, this post is for you.

Many authors know they want to write a book, but they do not always know why. Without clarity, progress feels impossible. That is where a simple mindset shift can make all the difference.

As a writer, you need more than talent. You need motivation. You need emotional momentum. One of the best ways to find that momentum is by connecting with your reason for writing.

I created a quick exercise to help you do that. You can use this tool to stay focused on any goal, whether it is outlining your book, scheduling a writing retreat, or preparing to publish.

 

 

Take Five Minutes and Try This

Draw two columns on a piece of paper or in a spreadsheet. Label them like this:

Column 1: How I will feel if I do not take action and my project continues to stall or wait
 Column 2: How I will feel when I reach my goal

Now fill them in.

Think honestly about what will happen if you stay stuck. Then visualize the joy and pride that will come when you follow through. Writing these side by side can help you reset your mindset and reclaim your motivation.

After that, write out the next three small steps you need to take to move forward. Then put those steps on your actual calendar.

 

 

A Real-Life Example

Here is one version of this exercise from a conversation I had with a writer:

If I do not take action

When I reach my goal

I will be mad at myself

I will be glad I had the guts to try

I will worry I will never reach my goal

I will feel confident in myself

I will feel guilty for not sharing my story

I will be proud to help others

I will feel like I am all talk

I will prove I can finish a big, hard project

I will probably waste money

I will be grateful I invested in something meaningful

People might think I am not serious

People will respect me for becoming an author

I will not feel like a real writer

I will finally be a published author

This small shift helped her take action. It can help you, too.

 

 

You Have a Moral Imperative

A colleague of mine recently said, “We have a moral imperative to use our skills and services to help people.” I believe the same is true for writers.

You have a story. You have wisdom. You have a voice. That means you have a responsibility to share it.

And when you do, the first person you will help is yourself.

You do not have to do this alone. My team and I work with first-time authors, entrepreneurs, legacy writers, and coaches who are ready to turn their stories into something powerful. If you are ready to move forward, we are here to help.

Schedule a free call to get started:
 https://calendly.com/jodydyer/free-first-consultation

Jody Dyer
Founder and CEO, Story Mountain Media