The majority of writing and book marketing advice is about doing more. Writing more, posting more, being more productive and generally pushing yourself more. Yet, often the key to success lies in subtracting rather than adding to your endless to-do list. Authors who achieve their goals have many qualities in common, including the things that they have given up and learnt to live without. So regardless of your definition of success, consider what habits and limiting mindsets are holding you back. Here are 7 things to let go of to reach your full potential:
Your all or nothing mindset
While a week-long writing retreat sounds idyllic, for many of us the trick to getting it done is to make the most of the time we have available. You don’t have to have a whole day set aside to write nor do you have to master every social media channel. Stop waiting for the perfect moment to get started. Begin by doing what you can. By taking small incremental steps towards your goals you are more likely to begin, and stick with it, to create real results.
Trying to do everything yourself
Gone are these days when writers did nothing but write. Authors, especially those who self-publish, are now required to wear many hats, switching between the tasks of marketing, book design, accounting and business management. Doing everything yourself might sound appealing if you want to save money but in the long run, it can be detrimental to your work. You may have a best-selling story but proofreading and editing your own work can result in plot inconsistencies, poor spelling and grammar mistakes. Likewise, unless you have graphic design skills, a self-made book cover can end up looking cheap and damage your sales.
Perfection
Perfection can seem like a good trait initially, motivating you to continue improving your work, but it becomes problematic when you no longer feel good about your writing. Holding yourself up to unrealistic standards can result in procrastination, burnout, stress, anxiety and depression. Be gentle with yourself and embrace your mistakes. Drop the need for your work to be liked by everyone. Even the most successful authors have their critics. Harry Potter has plenty of one-star reviews. There will always be readers that dislike a book, regardless of how well the story is told.
Isolation
Writers tend to be introverts, shutting themselves away from the world to write for hours at a time. While periods of solitude are important for creativity, meeting with other writers can inspire and motivate you. Writers can learn, grow and progress from one another’s feedback and critique. Someone may have a style of writing that makes you view your work with fresh eyes. Networking and collaborating can also open up new ways to reach readers. You might consider running a joint book promotion, guest blogging, creating a multi-author series or co-authoring a book.
Self-doubt
Writing a book is a daring act of exposure. We bleed our thoughts onto the page to have them judged by others, yet it seems the harshest judgment comes from ourselves. Many writers fear that their work is terrible and will never be any good. The difference with successful authors is not that they are fearless but that they find a way to push through self-doubt and face the fear of potential failure and rejection. Challenge yourself to write and share your work despite your fears, as Van Gogh said ‘If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.’
Comparison
There is a fine line between admiring another author’s work and falling into the trap of comparison. Comparison can be a motivating force, driving you onward to produce your best work but on the flipside it can be discouraging. It’s easy to hear about the success of another writer and get frustrated with your progress.
Rejecting feedback
If someone offers you feedback on your work do you consider it, or do you respond with an excuse as to why they don't understand? Okay, so maybe receiving criticism is a little difficult for all of us. But, in order to improve your work, it’s necessary. No author exists in a vacuum. When you receive feedback on your writing try to resist the urge to be defensive. Remind yourself that feedback can help you identify weaknesses in your storytelling. It’s essential to be objective about your work and remain open to new ideas. This doesn’t mean that you have accept every piece of advice. Look for common themes or issues. Not everyone is going to like your work but if you are constantly hearing that your characters lack depth or there are issues with the plot it could be worth re-examining your work.
