Are You Undermining Your Motivation to Write? Change Your Self-Talk

Motivation is a consistent issue with many writers. I write about it on my blog and hear about it at writers’ conferences I attend.

Guess what? even yours truly has issues at times.

Let’s start by setting the foundation with what motivation really is.

It “is not some mysterious energy that is aroused after hearing a motivational speaker, or reading an inspiring article in a magazine. ‘Motivation’ comes from the word motive, which is simply whatever causes a person to act in a certain way or do a certain thing. In the present context, it is the reason behind your goals.” (Steven Campbell, Making Your Mind Magnificent)

After reading that, I realized that’s exactly how I viewed motivation, as an intangible, mysterious thing that I pulled up from within me somewhere. It’s liberating to understand what it truly is.

When we have goals, we want to be motivated to reach those goals. But we can actually undermine our motivation with what we say to ourselves.

For a discussion on restrictive and constructive motivation, watch the video below. If you prefer you can read the video highlights.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

We can make our brain partner with us in reaching our goals. (See “Use Mind Principles to Succeed at Your Resolutions” for how the brain works.)

When we set goals we have a reason behind that goal. That reason serves as our motivation. A question you might ask yourself is “Why am I writing this book?” (See “Writing Affirmations That Help You Reach Your Goals”)

Restrictive motivation causes our brain to push back. Imagine putting your hands up and me pushing against them. Your natural reaction would be to push back. That’s how the brain reacts to change.

The brain uses 3 devices to resist:

• Procrastination
• Doing the job, but doing it in a lazy or slovenly way
• Creative avoidance, thinking of other things you can do instead of the task at hand. (from Making Your Mind Magnificent)

Constructive motivation is a mind shift to “I get to, I want to.” No one is forcing you to write that book or write 1000 words a day (or whatever writing goal you set). You want to do those things.

Bring your brain into line with your goals by using constructive motivation. “I get to sit down and write 1000 words today!”

You’ll find your brain begins to find ways to meet that goal.

CONCLUSION

Watch your self-talk. Avoid sentences that state “must, have to, should, need.” These terms fall into the category of restrictive motivation.

Use “I get to, I want to” when you talk to yourself.

After learning about constructive and restrictive motivation, share in the comments what you plan to change.