Writing Productivity
I saw an interesting book a few days ago “100 Word Writing Habit: A Small Action with Big Results” by David Kadavy. I haven’t read it so I’m not sure if it’s worth the read but I think it’s an idea worth trying. Setting a small daily goal that is achievable in order to propel you into cultivating a daily practice. This seems right up my alley. In the past because of perfectionism and other issues - I have had such a problem with procrastination and being in “freeze mode”. I’m always scared to make the wrong decision, afraid of failure, afraid to devote myself and energy to the “wrong” thing so I just don’t do anything. It’s silly because I’m bound to fail either way then simply through inaction. My partner always says the only failure is doing nothing. If you devote yourself to something then eventually you will get better and probably even good at it. Doing nothing is the worst thing you could do. I don’t know how or why that has always been my instinct. I’m sure it has something to do with my father but at this point who cares. I’ve identified the issue and I’m working on it. That’s mostly what this blog is about: getting over the fear of failure, keeping active and creating something. Whether this blog is good or bad, completely invisible or eventually popular - it doesn’t matter. It’s not my place to judge that. It’s about creating and writing because that’s what I WANT to do. Being a writer is apart of my goals and dreams. A component of my dream life. I have to write to be a writer. I can’t just sit around and daydream about it. It doesn’t even matter if I am a good writer. I will get better eventually. It’s almost impossible to not get better.
My partner also recently shared a video with me of Sylvester Stallone talking about his writing process which has been inspiring. Stallone basically said you really just need to get your first draft down as quickly as possible when it comes to screenwriting. He said you are going to edit the draft anyways so don’t try to be a perfectionist about it. Completing the first draft in itself is an important part of the momentum and can motivate you to do more and give you confidence. I’ve had this problem for so long. I never complete the first draft because I’m trying to come up with the perfect idea or perfect dialogue. I ultimately get stuck and then switch to the next idea. It’s very defeating and strips me of any confidence I have built up. This is not what you want to do. Just complete the first draft then clean it up! I have a few things I need to apply this to. I need to stop overthinking everything and just write!
