The Quiet Art of Writing Part-Time In The Noisy World
5 rules I live by as an aspiring writer.
I am an aspiring writer and doing it part-time.
It took me a while to say it out loud.
It still feels a bit weird, though.
For me, writing means dedicating early mornings or weekends to practice and improve my craft.
At times, it’s overwhelming, tiring, and stressful.
I won’t lie to you; it’s plain hard work.
After trying different approaches and experimenting with various techniques, here I am.
Writing this newsletter on a warm Saturday morning, sipping my iced matcha latte, and basking in the sunshine.
If you are like me, writing part-time, here are a few rules I live by.
1/ Publish over perfection:
Editing my work is the most challenging and time-consuming aspect for me.
I spend hours rewriting, editing, and re-editing.
However, with time constraints, aiming for perfection is not always a good way.
There will always be typos and mistakes, no matter how much time I invest time in editing and proof-reading.
So, this year, I made a rule to publish even if I think it’s not one hundred percent perfect.
As long as I can consistently write 300 words every day, I consider it a success, while still striving to minimize mistakes.
2/ Find motivation and inspiration:
If you were to ask me about my writing process or routine, honestly, I wouldn’t have a concrete answer. Genuinely, I don’t.
But what I can tell you is that I let my writing flow from what I feel inside and what resonates with me on a particular day.
It was challenging in the beginning, sitting in front of my laptop for hours, struggling to translate my thoughts onto paper.
I typed, deleted, and retyped, but the words didn’t make sense.
I realized that I was missing a crucial step — thinking about what exactly I wanted to write about.
Sometimes, I would have great ideas in my mind, but I struggled to translate them into coherent written pieces.
Now, even if what I write is not my best work, I keep it.
The act of writing itself is a step forward.
3/ Ask your future self:
Whenever I find myself stuck, I ask my future self, “How would you do it?”
There’s a trick to this.
Most people don’t want to disappoint their future selves; they strive for perfection in the future.
I leverage this mindset to my advantage.
I know that my future self is extremly confident, full of wisdom, and resilient beyond what I have in the present.
Instead of beating myself up or wondering why I’m not always filled with joy when I write, I transport myself mentally to a future where I am a happy writer & producing my best articles.
I want my future self to be proud, to be able to say atleast I tried.
I tried my best and I pursued my dreams.
And someday, I want to share these stories to my kids and grandkids.
4/ Define your 20%:
You may be familiar with the 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto principle.
It suggests that 20% of your efforts drive 80% of your success.
I apply this principle in everything I do, especially in areas where I invest long hours and receive minimal returns.
Rather than working for ten low-paying clients, I focus on finding two high-paying clients who value my work.
Most often, now, I prioritize writing without worrying about whether I will become a successful writer or not.
5/ One day at a time:
When I started writing online two years ago (exactly 1000 days ago), I had no idea how long it would last.
It began as a fun hobby, and looking back, I am amazed by the consistency I have maintained.
This journey has taught me that a thousand-mile journey starts with the first step.
Taking that initial step is all you need, and the rest will fall into place.
Now, I don’t worry about the next five years; writing makes me happy, and I will continue to do it until I feel otherwise.
That’s my plan — to enjoy the writing journey and see where it leads me.
So far, it has been an incredible experience.
Lastly,
Writing part-time is not rocket science; it all depends on how you perceive it.
If you approach it as something you love and enjoy, it becomes easier and writing is indeed a form of art.
There is no race or competition.
You are pursuing writing to break free from the rut and routine that make you feel dull and unfulfilled.
It’s a long but fulfilling journey.
Having written over 400+ articles on the internet part-time, it has been the best time of my life.
If you’re considering it, I absolutely encourage you to give it a go.
Embrace any of my rules mentioned above, think long-term, and most importantly, find joy in the act of writing.
If I can do it, you can too.
All the best!
What do you think? Share in the comments.
Be Bold
Be Courageous
Be Your Best
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