5 Simple Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Writing Productivity

Have you noticed a recent drop in your productivity as a writer and can’t figure out why?

Or maybe you need to create more content so you can earn more but you’re finding it difficult?

Then, this post is for you.

Whether you’re a professional writer who writes for a living or an entrepreneur who does all the writing for your business, the quality and quantity of your writing will have—to a large extent—an effect on the amount of money you make and the level of business success you enjoy.

So, it’s in your best interest to keep your writing productivity as high as possible while creating top-quality content, so you can achieve your business goals faster and keep smiling to the bank.

However, you may be unknowingly making some mistakes that lower your writing productivity a little at a time. Sometimes, these unconscious writing mistakes can also make it tough for you to boost your writing productivity even when you desire to do so.

Ready to find out more about these limiting mistakes?

Continue reading and you will discover five writing mistakes that can not only hurt your writing productivity but also your income and your business.

How To Overcome Self Doubt and Build Self-efficacy in Your Writing

We’ve all been there. That paralysing thought that we’re not good enough. It can be fearful and crippling all at the same time. I don’t know about you, but I love reading self-help books or biographies where the author admits to their own failings and mistakes. It makes me feel “normal.” 

Occasionally, there are those books where the author never seems to stumble, never falls short of their goals, and this seems so far removed from reality that it’s hard to really believe in their story. There may be some perfect human beings out there—but I doubt it.

So, what is writers’ self-doubt? 

It can be a combination of our fears, getting stuck in the comparison trap, or a lack of self-confidence. It’s our inner critic that whispers in our ears, “you’re not good enough,” “your writing isn’t worthy of being published.”

These feelings are normal. And the hard truth is that self-doubt will never completely go away—sorry. 

As writers, when we refer to self-doubt, we also need to consider the counterbalance to doubt: the concept of self-efficacy. Bruning et al., describe self-efficacy as the confidence we possess to perform consistently. It’s a willingness to engage and persist in the process of writing even when we are confronted with difficulties or distractions.

The act of writing takes effort and reflects our own unique writing experiences. These experiences can range from self-judgement about our success on tasks to feelings of anxiety and frustration.

As humans, we will never be perfect, but that doesn’t mean we can’t keep on learning, growing wiser, and taking action, even when we don’t feel like it or don’t believe we can.

The Sport of Writing: How an Athlete’s Mindset Can Help Bring Your A-Game

Picture this: a competitor in fierce pursuit of a goal, pulling off incredible physical and mental feats, and letting out a huge roar after a win.

Can you guess who this is?

If you answered, “An athlete,” you’re absolutely correct.

If, for some reason, you said, “A writer”… you are right as well!

Let’s face it: when we visualize writers, we don’t exactly think of impressive physical specimens like Dwayne Johnson or Serena Williams. Though some of us (especially me) could probably use a protein shake or two, we have every right to feel like a Grand Slam Champion.

Why? Because writers, in essence, are athletes.

I have been a sports fan since childhood, with basketball holding a special place in my heart. (I’m from the Philippines, you see.) After devouring so much sports content over the years, I can confidently say that the winning qualities of athletes are the same ones that drive writers to success.

In this article, I’ll assemble my own starting five by discussing the top qualities that writers can pick up from the world of sports. By adopting all these characteristics that define the mindset of an athlete, writers can get past every obstacle, beat the clock, and score a slam dunk. Or a home run. Or a touchdown.

Do we have to do the Griddy every time our work is published? Up to you. While celebratory dance rituals are short-lived, these five qualities will help you last long in the writing industry.

I Became a Writer at 40. Here’s What I’ve Learned

After the outbreak of COVID-19, many of us were forced to reassess our values and consider whether we had been happy and fulfilled in the first place.

I was one of them.

I had been a TV Producer for 20 years, starting from the bottom as a runner—my first job involved spending 14 hours a day in an old plane hangar helping people find the toilets.

Two decades later, I was working on some of the UK’s best-known shows with a book full of contacts. But I decided to turn my back on it all—while raising a toddler. 

Why? 

To live my dream of becoming a freelance writer. 

In January 2022, on my 40th birthday, I decided I was never going back to my old career. That I was going to become a writer.

So I removed all my details from job sites, stopped responding to potential employers, and focused entirely on becoming a writer. And despite only working part-time, I have already achieved my goal of being paid to do it!

I was terrified to make the jump, but I was able to overcome my fears. 

So here’s what I learned from this process and how you can do the same.