2 Reasons to Write — Either You Love Writing or Need to Write.

Both requires different level of effort.

“You can only paint if you have the love for painting.”

My friend from school told me this two years ago.

No way!... I did not believe it, and I had to prove her wrong.

I had zero painting skills back then.

But I was determined to make this statement invalid.

Here is what I learned in the self-inflicted art challenge.

There are two purposes to pick up a new skill.

1)You do it because you NEED to have it.

For example, you learn how to change a car tire or learn how to use the video camera to record your children’s concert.

This type of learning is focus and straightforward.

They are often necessary skills that improve productivity or efficiency. They may have tangible, predictable results at the end. You may not be a master of this skill but skilled enough to resolve a problem.

For example, an employee learned new coding techniques. Subsequently, fix a bug in the program or an employee who discovered a new spreadsheet formula to compute problematic sales commission.

Like writing, you might have picked it up as a NEED to write. You write to generate a side income or to fill up your free time. You might have started as a reader in Medium. You have some stories to share and thought you give it a try. You allocated time to develop this skill. You read hundreds of articles on how to be the best pro writer in the world of Medium. Over time, writing becomes a routine, and you improve.

2) You do it because you LOVE it.

Like my old school friend mentioned, it’s about passion. You love the subject so much, you do it in a heartbeat. It becomes a continuous learning opportunity with constant upgrading or experimentation.

It is often an individual personal interest, almost a devotion to the subject. Self-directed.

The difficulties and challenges in hacking the new skills are almost nonexistent.

Some will go far and beyond in search of content or subject matter experts to learn more. The results are subjective and up to the individual’s expectations.

Like how Picasso and Leonardo Da Vinci approach painting.

Most of these skills are like art, learning to play the guitar, restoring old furniture, biking, and even studying astrology.

If you are a new writer, what was your purpose of writing? Did it start from a NEED to write or the LOVE of writing?

While the results could be the same. (monetary, the satisfaction of being recognized as a writer, sharing stories, entertaining, etc.), the journey may differ.

Most times, writing from a NEED point, requires you to put in the extra effort. Consistency is vital in polishing the skill. Hurdles/obstacles could be writer’s block or mental fog. You count your words, your speed. You look to optimise your writing in as many ways possible.

But if you are writing for the LOVE of writing, then these hurdles are colors or content to your writing. Nothing is too difficult. Writing is effortless and a great joy. There is no such thing as writer’s block. It’s BS.

In reality, there is no clear define line that say you are in one group or another. Or Passion/LOVE is better than NEED.

Here is why.

If you NEED to write, there is a secret formula that could turn your writing into a effortless passion.

The formula is such:-

Basic writing skill + Research + Positive Reinforcements X 261 Days effort = Passion.

Now it’s no longer a secret. 😊

Anyone can have passion. It is within your grasp.

Hints: Positive reinforcements are positive or constructive comments/feedbacks, which will help a writer to find their passion.

Meanwhile, I an stuck with painting kettles. I sat for hours painting and painting those silly kettles. For some reason, I struggled to get the handles and the colors right.

So much for trying to prove my friend wrong.