Section 1.1: Embracing the Challenge

Taking on challenges can often seem intimidating. I know I've shied away from them in the past.

"Creativity is risky business. It demands vulnerability and bravery — with a high chance of errors along the journey. There are no guarantees when it comes to creativity and courage. Furthermore, creativity can lead you to unexpected places." — Benjamin P. Hardy, Personality Isn't Permanent

What’s worse than failing? Not trying at all. If you approach challenges with the intent to enjoy the journey, the outcome becomes less significant. If I were to quit halfway through, it’s ultimately only my loss. By incorporating joy into my process, I can celebrate each step forward. Seeing my word count grow gives me that extra push, and I have no regrets about starting this journey.

Section 1.2: Trusting Your Future Self

In the past, I doubted that I would see this through. However, I’ve come to realize that past and future selves are different entities.

"We often allow our past to dictate who we are. We let earlier events, along with our reactions to them, define our identity. Break this connection. Train your mind to see your past as merely preparation for what lies ahead." — Annette Tower, Mental Toughness

My future self knows that if I can't complete this challenge, then writing may not hold a significant place in my life. If I aspire to write professionally, I must be able to push myself to create.

Section 1.3: The Dread of Editing

Writing a large volume of text is one hurdle; editing is an entirely different beast. Typically, I edit as I go, reviewing and refining sentences. However, to maintain my pace, I’ve had to consciously resist this urge. Yet, I find that limiting my editing doesn't detract from the quality of my writing; in fact, it seems to be enhancing it.

I expected to fill pages with unnecessary filler, but that hasn't been the case, save for the occasional sentence.

Section 2.1: The Five-Part Writing Process

Writing is merely one aspect of a larger process. The first step involves generating ideas; the second, outlining and researching those ideas. Only the third step entails the actual writing. The fourth step is editing, while the fifth encompasses tasks following editing, such as formatting and publishing. If I spend one hour writing 1000 words, I should expect to invest an additional four hours on the other components, particularly if I aim for unique and well-researched content.

Recognizing these distinct phases helps break down large projects into smaller, manageable tasks.

Section 2.2: Overcoming Fear of Large Projects

With a PhD thesis ahead of me, which is essentially a book, I find myself less intimidated by the magnitude of the task. While I still feel the pressure to produce quality writing, I know that generating content is feasible. If I can write 2000 words before breakfast, then completing 100,000 words over two years seems entirely possible.

Section 2.3: Surpassing Daily Goals

The target is to reach 60,000 words in March. Though it technically spans 31 days, the average daily target is 2000 words. I initially worried about scraping by, yet I've surpassed that goal on nearly every day by 10-25%. I’m finding that when I’m in the zone, I just keep writing. Sure, there was a day I only hit 1500 words, but that’s part of the process!

Section 2.4: The Role of Motivation and Accountability

Motivation can be a driving force. While I don’t jump out of bed every morning, the thrill of completing my 2000 words before my daughter wakes up is invigorating.

Accountability plays a significant role, too. With a shared spreadsheet in the Content Warrior Challenge, I can see how others are progressing. Once I start logging my numbers, I’m driven to see it through. I've also shared my goal with my husband, who has occasionally nudged me when I lag behind.

"Like governments enforce laws for accountability, you can establish a habit contract to hold yourself accountable. This is a verbal or written agreement to commit to a habit, outlining the consequences of not following through." — James Clear, Atomic Habits

Willpower is essential as well. While accountability helps, the desire to write daily relies on my intrinsic motivation. I must cultivate the ability to write even when I don't feel like it, recognizing the deeper drive that will sustain me.

Section 2.5: Finding Purpose in Habit

Waking up at 5 AM has become a routine for me. Although I've managed to publish a few posts weekly, consistency has been elusive. The challenge has given my morning habit a clear goal. The distinction between "I will write 2000 words today" and "I should write" is subtle yet transformative. With so much written, I can focus on editing and publishing next month.

Section 2.6: Distinguishing Writing from Publishing

This month, I’ve struggled to publish blog posts, as my writing time has been consumed by creating content. I've always thought of the process as "writing a blog," but if it’s only for my eyes, it lacks purpose. The true challenge lies in editing and sharing my work with an audience.

Section 2.7: The Importance of Reading

In the past 11 days, I haven’t had as much time to read. Reading is as critical to writing as listening is to speaking. Books provide inspiration and ideas while teaching both good and bad writing styles. I've felt somewhat adrift without ample reading time.

Section 2.8: Prioritizing Quantity Over Quality

This challenge has introduced me to the concept of prioritizing quantity in writing over quality. I anticipated that this approach would lead to excessive fluff, but surprisingly, I’ve produced fewer unnecessary words than expected. Writing with a focus on quantity allowed me to break free from rigid structures, enabling me to explore ideas more freely.

If I have thoughts unrelated to my current paragraph, I simply start a new one, leaving sentences unfinished when necessary. This approach pushes me beyond my comfort zone, which is always beneficial for growth.

Section 2.9: Focusing on Individual Parts of the Process

As I've mentioned, writing is just one segment of a five-part process. Until recently, I combined writing and research, but now I’m learning to separate them. This change has been enlightening. When I tried to do both simultaneously, I often got sidetracked, leading to a disjointed final product.

Multitasking may seem productive, but it often hinders efficiency. I’ve found that writing is about organizing my understanding of a topic, and without that clarity, I’m not ready to write. I need more practice in distinguishing these tasks, especially for academic writing, but I'm eager to further develop this skill throughout the month.

Section 2.10: The Fatigue of Daily Writing

Committing to write every day can be exhausting, especially if I miss my optimal writing hours. When I missed my morning slot today, it became challenging to get started. Thankfully, I had some flexibility since it’s my day off, but the act of writing felt more burdensome than usual.

"Let me just say, the area where your greatest discomfort lies is also where your biggest opportunity resides." — Robin Sharma, The 5AM Club

Section 2.11: Celebrating Achievements Along the Way

As a reward for completing the challenge, I plan to treat myself to something special, perhaps a book about writing! I'll also earn a Content Warrior badge in the Project24 community. However, the most gratifying reward will be the sense of accomplishment from finishing the challenge. Only 23 more days to go!

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The second video titled "1000 writers answer questions on their writing routine | I TRIED WRITING LIKE!" shares insights from various writers about their routines and approaches to writing, offering inspiration for anyone looking to enhance their writing habits.