Want a sure-fire to stay motivated ... and productive? Start tracking your wins.
As writers, we constantly have multiple projects at various stages of development. Things take a long time to go from idea to published work. It's easy to lose steam ... and lose faith.
Stop waiting to write "The End" before noting an accomplishment. Track all of your wins. And start celebrating ALL of your accomplishments.
How and Where to Track Wins
One easy way to track your wins is via your electronic calendar. Whenever you have a writing appointment, include the time - and the activity - in your calendar. Then, at the end of the month, if you don't feel like you've done enough, you can easily prove yourself wrong. All your progress at a glance.
You can also track progress by creating a Win List. You can do this in an actual notebook, on a Google or Word doc - whatever makes the most sense for you. Then, at the end of every day, put the date at the top and write out one to three wins. At the end of the week, review your list and celebrate your wins. You can also do this whenever you need a pick me up!
Win Starters
Are you having trouble claiming wins? Here is a fill-in-the-blank list to get you started. Hint: Anything and everything can be considered a win. It just needs to be meaningful to you.
- I journaled ## days/week
- I wrote/created/published /launched/released [this]
- I queried X agents/magazines/publishers
- I did [this nice thing] that helped [this person/community]
- I did not complain about my neighbors
- I learned [this]
- I read [that]
- I reconnected with [this person]
- I worked out ## days most weeks
- I cooked/baked/gardened
- I filled someone's expired parking meter
- I pursued information on [something] that has always interested me
- I tried eating/drinking/watching something new
- I survived
Final Thoughts
Motivation and productivity go hand in hand. The more productive you are, the more motivated you are to keep going. Keep an eye on your goals, and celebrate every step along the way. Remember, you can do it!
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For more inspiration and motivation, follow @TheDEBMethod on Twitter and Linkedin!
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What's your biggest win this week? This month? Please share in the comments, so we can help celebrate you.
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