Become a Writer Warrior, fight the writing demons
Defeat the Time Thief, Perfectionism Phantom, Motivation Mirage, Motivation Mirage and Procrastination Parasite
Quest of the Writer Warrior - Defeating the writing demons (part 2)
In the first article, the Writer Warrior has triumphed over the Time Thief and purged the Perfectionism Phantom.
The demons were numerous and she had to recharge her energy and reload her weapons.
Today she is ready to start the battle again.
Here comes the writing demons.
🤖 Motivation Mirage
The motivation mirage is an elusive wraith and makes you believe you can only write when inspired.
It tricks you into waiting for inspiration to strike before you start writing.
It bluffs you into waiting for the perfect moment to start, which often never arrives.
It deceives you into thinking that you need motivation, or there’s no point in even trying.
Which leads to long stretches of inactivity.
The more you are inactive, the harder it is to restart.
The key is to create a system that doesn’t depend on fickle bursts of inspiration.
Use the "Routine Reset" strategy to transform your writing routine into a reliable productivity powerhouse.
Manipulate the Motivation Mirage
Round 1 - Establish a Non-Negotiable Routine
What’s a routine that you will follow every day?
Design your writing schedule around that.
This becomes your non-negotiable routine that you stick to every day.
Regardless of your moods for the day.
This routine can be tied to a timing.
For eg, I will write from 7am to 9am, 7pm to 9pm.
Or it can be tied to a place.
I sit down at this corner, and I will write.
Or it can be tied to an action.
Once I opened a Google doc, I will start writing.
These act like routine reminders.
Writing then becomes a regular habit and you’ll eliminate the need for motivation.
Round 2 - Create a Trigger Habit
Use a trigger to fire up your mind.
They are the gun fire that says “Go!”.
They can be:
Physical triggers
After your morning coffee, you write.
After your physical exercise, you write.
You could also stick a note on your mirror with the word “WRITE”.
After seeing that, you write.
Mental triggers
The sun is shining, you breathe in and out for 10 counts, you write.
It’s drizzling, you admire the rain scene for 10 seconds, you write.
You smile at yourself in the mirror, positive thoughts flow in, you write.
James Clear calls this habit stacking.
Round 3 - Use Micro-Writing Sessions
This is a psychological tactic.
A micro session:
cuts down resistance
reduces stress
is easier to start
keeps you focused
establishes consistency
reinforces your routine
increases motivation
builds momentum
fits easily into your schedule
is not dependent on energy or moods
Use this powerful tool to make writing an accessible task.
Round 4 - Incorporate the "Reward Loop"
We all need encouragement.
When you feel like giving up,
Sometimes an applause, a word of encouragement, or a kind comment renewed our energy.
But we don’t have to depend on external sources.
Set up a reward system for yourself.
Choose what’s pleasurable, enjoyable and fun.
When motivation banks, reward rekindles.
Round 5 - Track and Reflect
Keep a writing log, track your daily progress.
When you look back at what you’ve done, you’d surprised at how much you’ve accomplished.
Review your log, reflect on what works, and identify patterns.
Consistent writing has contributed to your overall progress.
Identifying patterns helps you adjust and improve.
Tracking helps you value the power of routine over random motivation
Reflection reinforces your commitment to the writing process.
🤖 Overwhelm Ogre
The overwhelm ogre is a master of intimidation overpowering you with the illusion of impossibility.
It daunts you with the mountain of work you need to do
It overwhelms you with the enormity of the tasks
It disillusions you by making goals seem impossible.
This enemy painted the journey as overwhelming.
You’re tempted to give up before you even start.
It feeds on your sense of being swamped by tasks and deadlines.
It makes you feel paralyzed and unable to tackle your writing goals.
This leads to procrastination and stress.
The "Chunk and Conquer" strategy will cut the Overwhelm Ogre down to size, so it’s conquerable.
Overpower the Overwhelm Ogre
Round 1 - Breaking big projects into small chunks
Chunks are more chewable than the whole piece.
Divvy up your writing projects, make them manageable.
A book can be divided into chapters or scenes or characters.
A long pillar piece can be completed in sections, like stories, examples, proofs.
Any project can be separated by stages, like research, outline, draft, and revise.
Chewing on small chunks make the work feel less daunting and more achievable.
Round 2 - Prioritize and schedule Chunks
Use the Time Management Matrix (aka Eisenhower Matrix)
Here’s a pictorial representation:
Quadrant 1: Urgent & Important
Tasks that require immediate attention.
Crisis-driven or deadline-oriented.
Example: Handling emergencies, completing a report due today.
Quadrant 2: Not Urgent & Important
Tasks that are important for long-term goals.
Focus on planning, prevention, and personal development.
Example: identify values and defining our mission, nurturing relationships, exercising and health
Quadrant 3: Urgent & Not Important
Tasks that require immediate attention but are not important.
Often interruptions or activities that can be delegated.
Example: Answering non-essential emails, attending unimportant meetings.
Quadrant 4: Not Urgent & Not Important
Tasks that are neither time-sensitive nor beneficial.
Usually time-wasting activities that should be minimized or eliminated.
Example: Mindless browsing, watching TV excessively.
Arrange your chunks into the matrix in order of priority.
Set specific deadlines for each.
Allocate time to work on each chunk and schedule them into your calendar.
You’ll find yourself focusing on one chunk at a time, completing tasks and reducing overwhelm.
Round 3 - Create a “Chunk and Conquer“ List
Using the matrix above, create your battlefield.
Allocate time and resources.
Use strategies in Round 4 to conquer each section.
Whatever you have conquered, they go into the Victory List you will create in Round 5.
Round 4 - Implement your own “Pomodoro” timing
Decide on the chunks you are working on.
Set a Timer for what works for you.
One "Pomodoro” was originally 25 minutes.
You could adjust it to fit your purpose.
Work on the chunk
Give your 100% during the Pomodoro.
Without distractions or interruptions.
Take a Short Break
After the timer rings, take a mini break, again you decide how long.
Completely rest and recharge.
Implement cycles of “Pomodoro” that fit your schedule.
Round 5 - Create a “Victory List”
This is your hall of fame, feature all your wins, no matter how small.
Every time you finish a chunk, add it to your Victory List.
As the Victory List grows, it will boost your motivation.
Compare this with your Chunk and Conquer List to see your progress visually.
🤖 Procrastination Parasite
The procrastination parasite is a cunning foe which slithers around your indecision and vague intentions
It drains your willpower and leaves you with nothing but excuses.
It convinces you that tomorrow is a better day to start.
It misleads you into delaying writing again and again.
It latches onto your goals, feeding on your delays and distractions, and keeping you from making progress.
It convinces you to delay taking action, telling you that you need more time or resources before you can start.
Your writing habit becomes nothing more than a distant dream.
Use the “Action Anchor" strategy.
Break free of its hold.
Cut through the cycle of procrastination.
Pummel the Procrastination Parasite
Round 1 - Define Action Anchors
What are the specific, actionable steps you can take.
Don’t write vague goals like “work on my post”.
Instead, define clear anchors
Write 200 words for the opening paragraph
Create a framework for the post
Outline four points for the main argument
Give yourself precise tasks to focus on
When you are clear and specific:
there is no confusion
you won’t be amibiguous
you are unlikely to procrastinate
Round 2 - Create a Daily Action Plan
Lay out an outline, then specific steps, then specific timing.
A daily plan lays out clearly your priorities for the day.
Remove the decision-making obstacles.
Know exacty what you have to do and when.
This is a structured approach to action on.
Round 3 - Take “Action”
Execution is the key.
The best plans in the world wouldn’t work without action.
Take action, write, edit, publish.
Repeat.
Day after day.
Week after week.
Month after month.
By now, the writing demons would have weakened.
You only need to go 3 rounds.
But the war is far from over.
The enemies fell back but they could spawn again.
Never let down your guard.
Train your senses.
Continue to beef up your weapons.
Overpower the writing demons.
Ready to gamify the above and defeat your writing demons?
Your writing journey can be gamified into an exciting game of writing victories.
Conquer your writing demons and make every step of your writing process both exhilarating and rewarding.
Reach your goals and make your fantasy come true!
You can create:
Time Triumph Tracker
Imperfect Progress Journal
Routine Reset Challenges
Chunk Conquests
Victory List
Action Achievements