Common Drawbacks To Writing
and Ways To Overcome Them
Introduction
Writing is a complex and rewarding process that most people can do with help and practice. Despite the rewards, there are, unfortunately, also many drawbacks that can stand in the way of achieving success. From lack of motivation to procrastination and fear of failure, these issues can make it difficult to write.
This article summarizes the many common drawbacks and offers strategies to help you overcome these issues. I’ll start by discussing the lack of motivation, and then look into other common problems such as difficulty with focus, fear of failure, and procrastination.
I’ve found the best way to overcome any issue is to take action. As you read through the article, note the strategies that you can apply to your own writing and attempt to put them into practice. This will help you move past obstacles and stay on track with your goals.
Lack of motivation is one of the most common drawbacks of writing. It’s very common to feel unmotivated. The lack of motivation can be because of several factors, such as feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work, feeling uninspired, or having difficulty finding the right words.
Difficulty with focus, fear of failure, and procrastination. It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed or distracted when writing. It can make it difficult to stay focused and productive. Fear of failure can be a major issue, as many writers are afraid to take risks or put themselves out there. Procrastination makes it easy to put off writing until the last minute. These issues can be difficult to overcome, but there are strategies to help you get past them.
one | Lack of Motivation
One of the biggest drawbacks to writing is a lack of motivation. Writing can be a very intimidating process, especially when starting a project from scratch. When faced with a blank page, this drawback can make it difficult to drum up the enthusiasm needed to write.
Several factors can cause a lack of motivation. It can stem from feeling overwhelmed by the size of a project. So do factors such as fatigue; if your daily activities leaves you exhausted, it's difficult to summon the energy to write.
One way to combat a lack of motivation is to break a project down into smaller parts. Writing can become much less intimidating if you break it up into manageable chunks. Set realistic goals; if a goal is too ambitious, it can quickly become daunting. You should set deadlines for your goals; having a deadline can provide the motivation to finish a project. Remember why the project is important. Keeping the end goal in mind can help provide a source of motivation.
two | Inability to Focus
With writing, focusing on the task at hand can be a challenge. This is often because of external or internal distractions. External distractions could be anything from a phone ringing to a noise from outside. Internal distractions are internal thought processes and emotions that can draw away your attention.
One of the most common reasons for difficulty focusing is that the task is too intimidating. Trying to take on the entire writing project at once can quickly become too much for the brain to handle. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed or lost. To combat this, break up the project into smaller, more manageable tasks.
Difficulty focusing may stem from a lack of clarity and direction. Without a clear vision or plan for the project, it's difficult to stay on track. To increase focus, concentrate on creating a road map for the project. This can include outlining the structure of the project and defining the topics and sections to be covered.
Besides having a coherent plan, create a comfortable space for yourself. Find a quiet space with minimal distractions and setting a realistic timeline for completing the project. Before beginning to write, take a few moments to clear your head and ground yourself in the present moment. This can help to reduce mental chatter and allow you to focus on the task at hand.
three | Fear of Failure
With writing, many people (myself included) struggle with fear of failure. This fear of failing can be a powerful obstacle when trying to overcome writing drawbacks. Perfectionism, impostor syndrome, and low self-confidence can all be contributors to this fear of failure.
Perfectionism is the desire to achieve perfection in writing. It often leads to procrastination. Individuals may be so worried about making mistakes they avoid getting started. This can be a huge hurdle in the writing process. I figured out years ago that my novels would not appeal to everyone and quickly abandoned the idea of perfectionism.
Impostor syndrome is the feeling of being a fraud and not being worthy of praise or recognition. Individuals with impostor syndrome may fear that their writing is not good enough, or that they are not a “real” writer. This can lead to a lack of confidence and can be a major obstacle to achieving success.
Low self-confidence can also be a major factor in fear of failure. Individuals with low self-confidence may doubt their skills and abilities and cannot believe in themselves. This can lead to a writing paralysis, as individuals are too fearful to take risks or put themselves out there.
Overcoming the fear of failure is essential for successful writing. Breaking away from fear is difficult, but it is vital to building self-confidence. Learn to accept failure, as it is a necessary part of the writing process. Acknowledge it, learn from it, and move on.
four | Procrastination
The worst enemy of any writer is procrastination. It can take a long time to put that pen to paper and start working on a project, and the longer it takes, the more difficult it becomes to get started. Procrastination is the number one cause of missed deadlines and unfulfilled goals. Learn to recognize the triggers of procrastination and develop strategies to overcome it.
Stragegies may include setting realistic expectations and goals. Writers should break down their projects into manageable chunks and set achievable deadlines for each of them. Stay organized and disciplined. Create a timeline with deadlines for each task and stick to it.
Take breaks between writing sessions and set aside some time for motivation, such as reading something inspirational, listening to music, or prepare a quick meal. Taking breaks can help reinvigorate and provide the boost you need to get back to work.
Conclusion
With writing, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the drawbacks that come with it. You can manage drawbacks. They are not insurmountable. When lacking motivation, break down your writing project into smaller tasks. Work in a specific environment that helps with focus, such as a spare bedroom, a library or a coffee shop.
When feeling overwhelmed, fight the urge to procrastinate by reminding yourself that everyone deals with these issues. Don’t allow them to keep you from achieving your goals.
Get Notified When New Articles are Released
