A Small Task You Should Execute Before Building Your Writing Habit

Summary

The text emphasizes the importance of a five-day warm-up period before starting a 90-day writing habit to establish a solid writing system.

Abstract

The article discusses the significance of a writing habit and the challenges associated with building one. It suggests that a 90-day period is typically required for a habit to fully form, but writing is a unique case that necessitates a five-day warm-up period before the 90-day habit-building phase. This warm-up period is crucial for figuring out one's writing system, which includes determining the best time to write, the duration of writing and editing sessions, and the time required to generate ideas. The author shares their personal experience, stating that they write at 8 pm, spend an hour writing an article, 20 minutes coming up with ideas, and at least an hour editing. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of establishing a writing system before starting the 90-day writing habit to avoid frustration and ensure success.

Bullet points

Building a strong writing habit can be challenging for aspiring writers.
It takes about 90 days for a habit to fully form, but writing requires a five-day warm-up period before this 90-day phase.
The warm-up period is essential for figuring out one's writing system.
Key aspects of a writing system include determining the best time to write, the duration of writing and editing sessions, and the time required to generate ideas.
Establishing a writing system before starting the 90-day writing habit can prevent frustration and increase the chances of success.

A Small Task You Should Execute Before Building Your Writing Habit

What creates a strong writing habit?

That’s a question I’ve currently been figuring out in my head. As someone who’s written every day for seven months and counting, it’s hard to remember a time where I didn’t have a writing habit. But the main reason why most aspiring writers fail early in their career is that they don’t have the drive to write every single day.

You need enough time to figure out your writing system.

Your writing system is your Bible. It’s what you write by and stick to even if the world catches on fire.

I say you need five days because this should be enough time for you to figure out your process without over-exerting yourself before your 90-day period starts. I call this the warm-up period. When I say that this is the time for you to figure out your writing process, I mean it’s the time for you to figure out the answers to these questions:

When do you write?

How long does it take for you to write?

How long does it take for you to come up with an idea?

How long does it take for you to edit?

In my case, I write at 8 pm because that’s the only time I have the peace to write while I’m not drowning in schoolwork. It usually takes me about an hour to write an article, assuming the boys who live near me aren’t making a ruckus with loud rap music. Coming up with an idea only takes me about 20 minutes at the most since I’m always on social media being nosy. As for editing…that’s a gruesome beast that takes me at least an hour to conquer.

If you can’t figure out these questions before you start your 90 days, you’ll be one of those Greek monsters in Percy Jackson that had multiple snakeheads (a Hydra).

You’ll get so frustrated by the process that you’ll give up before making it halfway through the first month. Figure out your system, then you’ll figure out your habit.

Warm-up five days before starting your 90-day writing habit so you can create the necessary skills to maintain it without overworking yourself before game time starts.

Conclusion

Write every day five days prior to your 90-day writing period so you have the chops to keep the habit going.

Once I figured out my system of how I write and publish articles, it got that much easier for me to stick to this habit. After each day passed, my writing muscle atrophied, taking me one step closer to my goal of being one of the best writers in the world. And if I can do it, so can you.

All it takes is daily practice and perseverance.

A Small Task You Should Execute Before Building Your Writing Habit

Starting a writing habit isn’t a stroll down the yellow-brick road Dorothy.

You need enough time to figure out your writing system.

Conclusion