How I Became a Paid Writer By Avoiding These 9 Habits

Too much focus might hold you back

We all are familiar with the things we need to do on our To-do list. However, if we also make a not To-do list. Our subconscious brain still thinks of it as a to-do list. By being conscious of which task to avoid, our brain automatically channels our energy into things that we want to do.

1. Trying to do everything

All the tasks are not equal by their value and results. Find out which task provides you more value, even use the 80/20 principle of Pareto. The top 20% of tasks give you 80% of the value towards your goals. Focus only on your most critical tasks and delegate the rest. They are not contributing as such towards your end goal.

If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.- Russian Proverb

2. Replying to every email

Most of the emails received in our inboxes are not important. Replying to every email is not bringing any value. Only focus on the most important emails that help you grow. Make a common template and use it to reply by automation at a specific time each day. Don’t respond to emails all day long, respond to them on specific hours only. For example, set two time frames all day long(11 am–12 pm) and (3 pm — 4 pm).

3. Ignoring important tasks

The Biggest dream killer in this world is procrastination. Ignoring your tasks will lead you to a big pile of workload in the end. Start taking the tiniest step towards your goal and stop putting them off. Start working on them with one bite and one step at a time. If the project is too big, break it into small manageable goals and start working on them.

4. Perfection

We all looking for perfection even we are starting to learn a new task. We procrastinate because we are stuck at some point looking for perfection. People searching for perfection without taking even a single step towards their goals. Your first article will be bad, your first video will be bad so is your first podcast but your 100th won’t be. But you won’t be able to reach your 100th without making the first one. So stop looking for perfection do what you can with what you have.

5. Not taking breaks

Our brain is not designed to work all day long working for continuous hours you just exhaust your brain by continuously working for long hours. It needs to rest and recharge for your next big task. Don’t stress your brain much and take proper rest. Use the Pomodoro technique to work for 25 min straight, then take a break for 5 minutes, or work straight 90 minutes straight followed by a 15 minutes break.

6. Trying to make everyone happy

What people think about you is none of your business. If you also think what people will think about you, then what will they think?. You can’t make everyone happy and will never be able to control it. So don’t sweat much over it. Whatever you do, use this thing in mind: 30% of the people will like your work, 30% will hate your work, rest will just ignore it. So just focus on the 30% that like your work.

7. Not defining clear goals

What are your goals for the day? What are your goals for the month and year? If you don’t know the answer to these questions, then it’s better you take some time to start thinking about your short-term and long-term goals.

8. Focusing too much on details

Focusing on details is a good habit, but don’t be so obsessed about them. It will hold you back. Make a working form of everything you do and keep adding details as made progress. Holding your entire project to add some details is not a good working practice. Always look for the bigger picture in whatever thing you do.

9. Immediate effect

Apart from your main To-do list. The rest of the tasks won’t bring you much value. However, they are important, such as replying to email and administrative tasks and attending meetings, but they can also be left for later for the workaround.