Here's Why Embracing the Journey Is Vital for Writers
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Chapter 1: The Importance of Loving the Process
Your dedication to the writing journey shapes your advancement and ultimately your success.
Section 1.1: The Common Advice
You've likely encountered the phrase "Do what you love" countless times. But how crucial is it for achieving success? I had a friend who graduated the same year as I did. We pursued the same degree but attended different universities. After college, we both found jobs at software firms, performing similar roles. The only notable difference was that his salary was triple mine.
Initially, I felt envious of his fortunate situation. He even received a pay raise after a few months while I remained stuck with my unchanged salary. However, a year later, he announced he was leaving his job.
"Are you out of your mind? You're making so much more than most people our age. Why would you want to leave?" I asked.
His reply was enlightening: "I can't stand the job. While the pay is great, I'm miserable every day. I'd prefer to earn less doing something I enjoy."
He aspired to become a music producer and is now actively pursuing that dream. I genuinely support him.
Reflecting on our conversation years later, I've learned an invaluable lesson: financial gain and other incentives mean little if you don't enjoy your work.
Section 1.2: Finding Passion in Writing
My career has taken quite a journey. I started as an IT engineer, transitioned to pursue an MBA, and ended up in investment banking. Today, I identify as a writer and agency owner.
Writing wasn’t part of my initial career aspirations; it emerged unexpectedly in 2020 and has become a passion. This love for writing has driven my success.
For writers, it’s crucial to embrace the process. Often, we focus on achieving thousands of views or substantial income. We fantasize about our articles going viral. However, if your motivation solely revolves around these outcomes, sustaining your writing journey will be challenging.
Imagine your article goes viral, attracting a massive audience and boosting your income. What happens next? Over time, interest diminishes, and you find yourself starting over. Even with an increased following, you must produce new content to regain momentum.
In writing, pursuing outcomes can be detrimental.
I authored over a hundred pieces before gaining any recognition. Initially, my articles didn’t generate income until I produced a significant volume of work. Now, I'm earning well from my writing, but even if financial rewards ceased, I would continue writing online. This passion is likely why I’ve achieved success in this field.
Even top writers, those earning substantial monthly incomes, continue to create fresh content each week. They may have gone viral multiple times, yet they consistently show up to write. This commitment illustrates that writing is not solely about goals but rather about enjoying the journey.
Section 1.3: Staying Committed to the Process
James Clear, in his book Atomic Habits, emphasizes:
"Goals are about the end results you want to achieve. Systems are about the process that leads to those results…The purpose of setting goals is to win the game. The purpose of building systems is to continue playing the game…Ultimately, it is your commitment to the process that will determine your progress."
Revisit that last statement.
Your dedication to the process is what drives your progress and success. Your focus should be on continuing the journey, not getting overwhelmed by the results—whether they’re positive or negative.
Ask any writer who has experienced virality about their feelings. I bet they’ll say it was enjoyable but fleeting.
You can relish your moment in the spotlight, but ultimately, you’ll need to return to square one, staring at a blank page to create something new to sustain your momentum.
Chapter 2: The Purpose Behind Your Writing
I write to motivate others. Sharing my experiences and insights brings me joy, hoping my readers gain something valuable from it. I genuinely love what I do.
While earning money is gratifying and I won’t deny pursuing it, I’ve tried various strategies to boost my writing income. Unfortunately, many of these tactics were short-lived and became tedious. It felt disingenuous to claim I loved writing when my primary motivation was profit.
I’ve closed down blogs that I initiated solely for monetary gain. Writing just for financial reasons was unfulfilling for me.
To succeed in writing, you must cherish the process. And let’s be real—it’s not easy. Generating ideas, crafting, editing, and waiting for your audience to engage can be daunting. Then, the results come in: Did your article resonate, or did it fall flat? Poor performance can affect your motivation, making it easy to feel disheartened and have to begin again.
That’s a tough cycle.
The key to maintaining your sanity is to concentrate on the craft. Relish the process without fixating on the outcomes. Stay composed whether your work excels or doesn’t perform as expected.
Writing is an ongoing journey. Only those who appreciate the challenges along the way will truly thrive.
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This video discusses how creators can prevent burnout while nurturing their passion for their craft.
In this motivational clip, Gary Vaynerchuk emphasizes that loving the process is key to achieving success.