My Writing Journey
The 100-Day Writing Challenge and My Writing Tips from Atomic Habits
Ten days ago, I committed to a writing challenge where I publish one article daily on Medium and Simily.
This challenge has been a way of improving my productivity by implementing some of the things I learned from Atomic Habits.
Following my previous articles 4 Ways to improve your writing habits with these tips from Atomic Habits and How to make your writing habits easier with these tips from Atomic Habits, I found a way to implement the lessons I shared to improve my writing career.
The 100-day writing challenge is the system that combines all these tips.
In this article, I will illustrate how this challenge has made it easier to implement the tips in my previous article and share my progress so far.
1. The power of atomic habits
1% progress gets you closer to your goal than no progress at all.
My goal is to achieve financial freedom as a full-time freelance writer. Publishing an article every day has many benefits for my freelance career. Several writers on this platform highlight the benefits of posting daily.
I could write a draft today or read a few tips on how to be a great writer, but it is until I share an article that I am a writer.
The former activities give me a sense of achievement, but if I am not implementing what I learn it is of no use to me.
The 100-day writing challenge pushes me to take the next step needed to fast-track my progress. It helps me cross the bridge between being in motion and achieving sustainable progress.
In a previous article, I mentioned that I need to ground myself more to achieve progress, the challenge is the grounding I need.
2. Habit change through identity change
Quoting a previous article:
Your habits influence your identity and vice versa.
A writer writes. That’s just it. Every day I write makes me a writer, and eventually, I will write every day because I am a writer.
3. Focusing on a strategy rather than the goal
The strategy is a system you use to achieve your goals.
I will drive myself crazy if I focus on gaining financial freedom by typing away on my laptop. Months ago, I was clueless and overwhelmed.
Focusing on a strategy helps take my mind off the big picture.
All I think about every evening when I am writing is I committed to this challenge, so I must follow through.
With this challenge, I also created a system I am yet to share to help me improve my pitching and social media strategy.
These are tiny building blocks I follow every day. In hindsight, they are stepping blocks to achieving financial freedom.
Quoting the previous article:
If you are prone to anxiety, focusing on your goals, especially if you are unsure how to achieve them, can fuel your anxiety.
4. Motivation is overrated
I used to publish an article when I came up with an idea I thought was worth sharing.
Now, I publish every day because I have to. I decided to participate in this challenge because I’m good at my word.
Every evening I set up a nice working space, and I start. Sometimes, I sit down with an idea and end up with a different article; today is one of those days.
5. Make writing fun
I love challenges. It’s the other reason why this 100-day writing challenge is suitable for me.
In the article I’m quoting, I mentioned that writing doesn't have to be a tedious chore you need to get through.
Alex Mathers says you can’t beat someone who’s enthusiastic about what they are doing.
I love challenging myself; physically, mentally, and in every way possible. I’m not one to back down from a challenge, and I love solving puzzles.
This challenge was my way of making writing fun.
6. Using habit-building methods
I wrote at different times within the past few days before I realized I like writing in the evening.
When I need to, however, I still use the methods I mentioned in the second article.
I know I have to write a new article after networking on social media and before working out. These are habits I already had that took place at those hours, and after a while, writing just comfortably settled in that specific slot.
Now, if I feel like I’m not up to it -which has not happened yet- I will know that that specific time is for writing and get on with it.
7. Prep your environment
When my clock nears 16:00, I clean any dishes I have been using, turn off my phone, and set up my laptop.
Sometimes I have no idea what to write, but I do it anyway.
After clicking publish I close my laptop, keep away my pen and notebook, and clear my space of anything else I had been using.
At the same time the next day, I won’t waste time looking for the items I need to start writing.
Writing every day has helped me automate this process.
