Writing-Habit Principles I Know at 33 That I Wish I Knew at 21
Proven tips from the book Atomic Habits by James Clear to boost your writing career
I recently finished reading Atomic Habits by James Clear, and I have to say, it’s one of the best books I’ve come across for building sustainable habits.
As a writer who has struggled to make writing a daily habit (even back in university when I had way more time), I’m eager to share my tips for success based on the proven strategies outlined in Atomic Habits.
Do not just Write — Become a Writer
There is a difference between being a writer and just wanting to write.
Making a habit part of your identity is a game-changer when it comes to achieving your goals.
I truly believe that there is a difference between the outcome-focused goal of “I want to write more” and the identity-based habit of “I am a writer”.
If you are starting out and it feels like you would fool yourself by saying “I am a writer” use words like “aspiring writer” or “newbie writer” (That has helped me at least).
Many people begin the process of changing their habits by focusing on what they want to achieve. This leads us to outcome-based habits. The alternative is to build identity-based habits. With this approach, we start by focusing on who we wish to become. Clear, James. Atomic Habits (p.31).
Use Implementation Intentions and Habit Stacking
I’ve found (like probably many of you) that establishing new habits can be tough, but strategies like implementation intentions and habit stacking have helped me a lot.
For the implementation intention, you link your new habit to a specific time and location. It could look like this: “In the morning at 6 a.m, I will sit down at my desk and start writing on Medium for 30 minutes”
To add the habit stacking method, you connect a new habit to an existing behavior. For example, you might say, “After I brush my teeth for two minutes in the morning at 6 a.m., I’ll sit down at my desk to write on Medium for 30 minutes.”
The key is to tie your desired behavior into something you already do each day. Once you have mastered this basic structure, you can begin to create larger stacks by chaining small habits together. Clear, James. Atomic Habits (p.74).
Bundle Temptations for Dopamine Release
Another step you can add to improve your habits is to bundle temptations. So, in addition to the habit stacking you also add an “I want habit”, which is something you desire and that does not take effort to do (e.g. watch Netflix).
The whole chain could look like this: “After I brush my teeth for two minutes in the morning at 6 a.m., I’ll sit down at my desk to write on Medium for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes of writing, I will have my favorite Oatmeal breakfast”
When you associate a reward with a particular habit, it creates a positive anticipation toward fulfilling that habit you want to establish.
For instance, if you reward yourself with your favorite oatmeal breakfast after completing your writing on Medium, you will eventually start looking forward to writing as much as enjoying that breakfast (but maybe you already do).
“When it comes to habits, the key takeaway is this: dopamine is released not only when you experience pleasure, but also when you anticipate it.” Clear, James. Atomic Habits (p.106).”
Join a writers’ club
Becoming a member of a writers’ community and interacting with like-minded people, makes it easier to stick to your writing habits as people around you have the same goals and desired behaviors. For example, being surrounded by other writers in the Medium community and reading all these articles helps me stay on track.
If you’re struggling to stay focused during your writing sessions, you can also connect with other writers online and write together during a meeting session. By writing together, you can hold each other accountable, offer support, and meet new people who share the same goals.
I have not yet tried it as I am still new to the writing game, but I have heard it could really help, so would be really looking forward if you share your thoughts and experiences on that.
“One of the most effective things you can do to build better habits is to join a culture where (1) your desired behavior is the normal behavior and (2) you already have something in common with the group. Clear, James. Atomic Habits (p.123).”
Design your Environment so Writing becomes Easy
Do you struggle to write because your workspace is a complete mess? Or maybe you’re too exhausted after a long day at work to start writing? This creates friction that makes it harder to maintain a consistent writing habit.
This is why we need to reduce friction. For me, that means keeping my desk clean and organized (or at least trying), making sure my laptop is charged, and having Medium open and ready to go in my browser. By doing these things, I can eliminate barriers and create an environment that supports productivity and creativity.
One of the most effective ways to reduce the friction associated with your habits is to practice environment design. Clear, James. Atomic Habits (p.153)
The way I take notes also influences the friction that I face during writing. It helps me to use note-taking apps such as Notion to have all my notes and thoughts in one place. If you want to learn more about Notion start here or if you already know that you are looking for alternative note-taking apps look here.
Make your Writing Experience Satisfying
One way how every task gets more exciting for me is when I can tick it off at the end of it.
If you’re a writer struggling to establish a routine, consider using a habit tracker or even just a trusty notebook to keep track of your progress. Let the satisfaction of ticking off completed tasks get you one step closer to your goals!
“What is rewarded is repeated. What is punished is avoided. Clear, James. Atomic Habits (p.186).”
So if you’re looking to make the most of your writing sessions and create a consistent writing habit, start tracking your progress today. You’ll be amazed at how much of a difference it can make!
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