Build Up Commitment To Writing: A Little Each Day

byrichardgb

2K followers

Updated 7 months ago

Building commitment in any aspiration is often compared to strengthening muscles; it's best achieved through consistent, focused effort, progressively intensifying over time.

Years ago, when faced with the need to lose weight, I started with modest targets: altering my diet and initially committing to just a 10-minute daily walk.

This small commitment expanded gradually until I was jogging, then running.

This journey from a humble start to a more robust routine reminded me of a powerful lesson learned even earlier—that the principles of physical training could be applied to almost any aspect of life. In more recent years, I also found this includes writing.

The Starting Point: Establishing a Baseline

Just as I began with brief, 5-minute walks, I introduced myself to writing with the same minimal investment of time: just five minutes a day.

This might seem trivial, but setting a low barrier to entry is important. It minimises the intimidation of starting a new habit, making the task seem less daunting and more accessible.

The key here is to manage your own expectations and allow yourself to ease into the process without pressure.

A small start, repeated, reinforces your belief in your ability to commit, laying a foundation on which you can build.

Gradual Increase: The Power of Incremental Progress

Once the initial stage becomes a part of your routine—almost second nature—it's time to start building on it.

Following the pattern of my exercise regimen, I increased my daily writing from five to ten minutes after one week.

The incremental increase is small but significant, doubling the time spent writing, yet still manageable within the context of a daily routine.

By slowly enhancing your commitment, you avoid feeling overwhelmed while gradually stretching your capacity for a more sustained effort.

This method not only boosts endurance but also adapts your mind and body to increased demands, making the process a natural progression rather than an attempt at a sudden shift.

Consistency Over Intensity: Developing a Daily Habit

The true power of our ability to build a commitment to writing—or any skill—lies not in the duration of individual sessions, but in their regularity.

Consistency is the cornerstone of habit formation.

It’s less about the bursts of great effort seen occasionally and more about the little, daily actions that accumulate over time.

To cultivate a lasting writing habit, focus on being as consistent as possible with your scheduled writing time, even if the sessions are short.

This regular engagement with the writing process keeps the mind engaged and prepares it for more extended periods as you grow more comfortable with the habit.

Recognising and Overcoming Plateaus

As with any plan of improvement, there comes a point where progress seems to stall—commonly known as a plateau.

This is as true for writing as it is for physical fitness.

You might find that after several weeks of increasing your writing time, the benefits start to diminish, or the activity becomes monotonous.

When this happens, it's essential to remind yourself why you’re putting yourself through it.

Then, see it as an opportunity to shake things up and inject new life into your routine.

You might try changing your writing format, exploring different genres, or shifting the focus of your writing sessions.

For instance, if you've been focusing on journaling, try your hand at short stories or dive into some research-heavy articles.

Alternating between different types of writing can rekindle interest and push through the plateau.

For example, I mainly write posts for my own sites but periodically write for my WA blog.

Stating the obvious perhaps; only you can make your progress happen!

The Benefits of a Steady Commitment

A gradual and consistent approach to building a writing habit yields several long-term benefits.

First and foremost, your writing skills will naturally improve through regular practice.

As you encounter different challenges and learn to navigate them, your ability to express ideas clearly and creatively will inevitably grow.

Moreover, the discipline developed through a structured writing routine can translate into other areas of life, enhancing your overall productivity and ability to commit to long-term goals.

Over time, the daily practice of writing becomes not just a routine, but an important part of your personal and professional identity, contributing to greater self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment.

FAQs: A Questions I’ve Seen Asked

Q: How long does it typically take to form a writing habit?

A: While it varies from person to person, studies often cite 21 days as a benchmark for forming a habit. However, for it to become a solid part of your lifestyle, it might take anywhere from two to eight months of consistent effort.

Q: What do I do if I miss a day of writing?

A: Missing a day isn't the end of the world. The important thing is not to let one missed day turn into two or three. Acknowledge the slip, understand why it happened, and get back on track the next day.

Q: How can I keep my writing sessions interesting?

A: Keep your sessions dynamic by exploring different writing styles, subjects, and formats. Setting small, achievable goals for each session can also add a sense of challenge and excitement.

Summary

To build a writing habit that sticks, start with manageable goals and gradually increase your commitment, just as you would when training your muscles.

Realise, as I did eventually (LOL), the essence of building this commitment lies in consistency; it's better to write a little every day than to write a lot sporadically.

Overcoming the inevitable plateaus by varying your writing activities can keep the journey interesting and rewarding.

As your routine solidifies and your skills develop, the benefits of this disciplined approach will manifest not only in improved writing but also in a stronger, more resilient character.

Suggested Resources

Books:

“Atomic Habits” by James Clear offers techniques for habit formation that can be applied to writing.

“The Elements of Style” by Strunk and White helps refine your writing technique.

Apps and Tools:

Trello or Notion can be useful for organising writing projects and tracking progress. I use Notion, which includes similar functions as those provided by Trello.

Pomodoro timers can help manage focused writing sessions and prevent burnout.

By using these strategies and resources, you can build and maintain a strong, consistent writing habit that you'll find enhances both your personal and professional life.

I hope you find this useful, or if you have other favourite methods that you add them to the comments for us all to discover.
;-)
Richard