Stop Self-Sabotaging Your Writing Dreams
Negative self-talk, procrastination, self-judgment, and feelings of overwhelm don't need to block you from your writing goals.
We’re all guilty of self-sabotaging ourselves regarding goals or other things we want to achieve. I know I’ve done it (and sometimes still do). I let that sneaky little voice in my head tell me I’m not good enough. Then self-doubt creeps in, and I start procrastinating. Once self-doubt kicks in, any bump in the road can deviate me from a goal or a deadline. My bad habit of perfectionism tells me my work isn’t good enough, so then I do nothing with it. Finally, I start to feel overwhelmed because I’ve procrastinated and avoided my work and an impending deadline has snuck up on me.
Self-sabotage can manifest in many forms and then roadblock our creative process and productivity. In this article, we'll explore strategies to overcome these challenges and cultivate a more positive and productive writing experience.
Overcome Self-Doubt
Self-doubt is a common obstacle for us creative types. It often leads to hesitation, second-guessing, and a lack of confidence in our work. To overcome self-doubt, it's important to acknowledge that it's a natural part of the process. By reframing negative thoughts and focusing on past successes, we can build resilience and confidence in our abilities.
Change Negative Talk to Positive Talk
Negative self-talk can be detrimental to our mindset. The more we tell ourselves our writing isn’t good, the easier it becomes to believe those words.
By consciously replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, we can shift our perspectives and cultivate more empowering mindsets. So, instead of saying, “My writing isn’t good.” We could try, “I’m improving my writing skills every time I show up to write.”
Discover Your Flow
Identifying your flow triggers, also known as your writing rituals, can help you reach a state of deep focus and productivity. Whether you require a specific writing environment, need to write at the same time of day, or use a full creative routine to get into the right headspace, understanding what induces your flow state can enhance your writing experience and minimize distractions.
Defeat Procrastination
Procrastination is one challenge I think all creative types face. It often involves avoiding, distracting, or delaying the creative process. Recognizing the signs of procrastination—endless scrolling on social media, putting off both small and larger writing tasks, etc.—and implementing strategies like setting achievable goals, creating a Zen workspace, and establishing a writing schedule can help writers push through their worst procrastination days.
Make Writing Enjoyable
If we don’t enjoy what we’re writing, where we’re writing, or why we’re writing, showing up to write every day will be a slog. We have to instill joy and passion into our writing practices, so we can fully enjoy the process. Dabbling in creative writing exercises, exploring new genres (both reading and writing), and embracing creativity can instill the joy of writing so we make it a priority in our daily routines.
Stamp Out Perfectionism
Perfectionism can paralyze even the best writers. This form of self-sabotage can lead to an endless cycle of self-criticism and dissatisfaction in our work. We need to recognize the signs of perfectionism—all-or-nothing thinking, highly critical thoughts, setting unrealistic standards, etc.—and embrace our imperfections. That’s the only way to liberate ourselves from the pressure of unmet goals.
Release Yourself from Self-Judgment
We have to let go of critical self-judgment if we are going to cultivate a compassionate and nurturing writing environment for ourselves. When we acknowledge that writing requires both growth and learning, we then get to experience self-compassion, which ultimately increases our writing output.
Shut Out Feelings of Overwhelm
Feeling overwhelmed will hinder anyone’s productivity and creativity. Instead of focusing on a large goal, such as writing a book. We need to break tasks down into the tiniest possible goals that we can manage and attain. Some days, we may still feel overwhelmed by our writing, and that’s OK. Take a step back from your work to practice mindfulness, say a prayer, or seek support from fellow writers.
Use Planning to Your Advantage
Strategic organization can alleviate our stress and even enhance our efficiency. Take it from someone who loves a detailed plan: Establishing clear goals, creating outlines, and utilizing writing tools can provide the structure and direction you’re seeking.
Take Breaks
As I mentioned above regarding feeling overwhelmed; there will be days when we need to step away from our writing. Allow yourself to recognize the importance of rest and self-care. It’s crucial for maintaining a sustainable writing schedule. Go for a walk. Pursue other hobbies. Allow yourself to be bored now and then. This can prevent burnout and refill your creative energy.
Reduce Deadline Pressure
To maintain a healthy balance, you’ll need to manage your expectations when it comes to self-imposed deadlines. Unrealistic deadlines will naturally become unmet deadlines. Don’t do that to yourself. Instead, be realistic about the time you can allot to your writing to maintain a consistent schedule. Use that information to set goals for finishing your first draft, your revisions schedule, reviewing beta reader feedback, and working through your book’s production process. Allow plenty of wiggle room so you can under promise and over-deliver regarding your deadlines.
Final Thoughts
Whew! Navigating self-sabotage as a writer is rough. We have to have self-awareness, resilience, and adaptive strategies we can use to overcome our internal struggles.
The first step is acknowledging the common challenges we all face as writers. Then, we need to implement proactive approaches we can use to engage in a more positive and sustainable writing practice. This is the only way to ultimately enhance our creative output and well-being. Trust me, I’ve been there—and sometimes still find myself dealing with bouts of self-sabotage. But we’re capable of so much more than we think we are!