Well, I did it. I blogged for thirty days without missing a post. Let me tell you the things I’ve learned.
Write Better
Years ago, I stumbled across a draft from high school. It was bad. You can tell bad writing is bad when your writing is good. You wrote more, even if it was an assignment. Copious writing develops your intuition for what works.
Listen to Feedback
Feedback kills pride. Pride is antithetical to development. Rather than growth, pride prompts laziness. Look forward to people’s interaction with your work. Every criticism and suggestion is a lesson to apply next time and a dagger to the heart of pride.
Get to the Point!
Don’t waste time. Tell them what you want to say. Long, rambling sentences are forbidden!
Have a Routine
Developing a standard routine for writing is vital. Without it, I would not have completed this task.
- Change out of work clothes. This is my mental trigger to signal I’m getting ready to write.
- Sit down at my work desk
- Isolate my desktop to one draft tab.
- Shut out all potential distractions
- Phone: in the other room
- Messaging programs: shut down
- Desk: cleaned
- Write until I finish.
Show Up Every Day
A month ago, I worried about whether I could do this challenge. I was afraid to miss a day and break my streak. But now I’ve beaten the challenge. I know I can show up every day and do the work, no matter what it is.
Write for Others
No one wants to read “The random thoughts of Bryan” unless they know me. Sometimes not even then. I had to learn to make my writing worthwhile for people to spend their time on it.
Concluding Thoughts
Thirty days are done. Do I recommend this challenge? Yes, but only if you want to:
- Improve as a writer
- Defeat Resistance, the force keeps you from positive growth
- Gain confidence
- Develop a habit of consistent work
- Learn more about yourself
- Make yourself more hireable
Do you want these things? Then I exhort you to write for thirty days straight. You will struggle. It’s difficult. But it’s worth it.
What are you waiting for? Take up and write.