From Procrastination to Productivity- Staying On Track with Your Writing Goals.

 

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A writer reached out to me pleading that I assist them with being accountable for their writing.

Then, I shared some tips that I used to remain consistent with writing.

I’ll share some of the tips I recommended later in this post, but let’s tackle the best way to motivate oneself to write.

What’s the best way to motivate yourself?

Depending on your motivation alone, writing may not be enough to keep you writing long-term.

You will need something sustainable.

Something like a writing plan or routine.

A writing routine will remind you of your writing commitments and let you write like it’s second nature.

Just as you ensure you shower every day, without even thinking about it being hard work, the same applies to writing.

It’s possible to write without thinking of it as hard work.

Incorporating writing into your lifestyle makes it more pleasurable.

You can set up your own writing space and create your writing-infused environment. You can refer to my posts on writing spaces here

The consistency part of writing

Writing consistently doesn’t entail writing every day alone, but doing something worth writing about daily.

So what’s something worth writing?

There are so many writing exercises now to employ.

From free writing to idea mapping, these exercises plunge you into the main writing.

Here’s what most beginner writers imagine when they want to write. The Words would flow once I sit down to write.

• What if your muse is not ready?
• How do you get it to cooperate with you?

This is where maintaining a consistent writing routine outshines motivation.

Practice writing for at least 15–30 minutes per day and you’ll beat that time in a matter of weeks.

How Habits Outperform Motivation

Psychologists explain that habits are formed through a habit loop, which includes:

1. Cue (Trigger): A signal that tells your brain it’s time to write (e.g., morning coffee, a dedicated writing playlist).
2. Routine (Action): Writing, even for just 15 minutes.
3. Reward (Benefit): A sense of accomplishment, progress tracking, or even a small treat after a writing session.

Example from Top Writers:

Stephen King writes 2,000 words daily, treating writing like a job rather than a hobby. He starts his sessions with a routine — same time, same desk, same setup — to train his brain for writing mode.

Maya Angelou had a strict routine — writing from 7 AM to 2 PM in a rented hotel room — but didn’t always produce polished work. She focused on showing up and writing something every day.

Action Step: Instead of forcing yourself to write full drafts daily, aim to do at least one writing-related task per day.

Back to the Accountability Tips

I asked this writer some basic questions to understand their challenges.

To hold yourself accountable, ask these three key questions:

1. Why do you want to write?

Do you want to share your story? Build credibility? Or earn? Get clear on your reason — it will keep you grounded and propel you to finish.

When you begin with the end in mind, it strips off discouragement to a greater extent.

2. What’s your plan for completing your project?

Have a clear writing timeline — will you write 200 words a day? 3 chapters a week? When writing my book, Wives of the South, I aimed to complete at least 3 chapters weekly.

3. When is your ideal writing time?

Morning? Late at night? A free hour during the day? Identify when you’re most productive and protect that time.

If you fall under the free periods people like me, you’ll ensure you prepare all you need to begin and take advantage of your free periods.

This may mean your notepad/ pen, your laptop or any other mobile device is always close by whenever you want to write.

Ensure your topics and research notes are all in one document offline or online and are within reach.

Beating Procrastination

Even with a routine, resistance will show up. You might feel uninspired or overwhelmed.

How do you push through?

• Lower the Barrier to Entry: Instead of saying, “I have to write a full chapter,” say, “I’ll write for 10 minutes.”
• Use the 2-Minute Rule: If you don’t feel like writing, commit to just two minutes — once you start, you’ll likely continue.
• Eliminate Decision Fatigue: Have a set time, place, and tool for writing, so you don’t waste energy deciding when to start.

Ernest Hemingway’s Trick: He always stopped writing mid-sentence, so he had a clear place to pick up the next day. This removed the resistance of “Where do I start?”

Oops, my writing timer just hit, and it’s time to go.

See my previous writing posts for more tips

Also, get this course if you need more help with writing or finishing your writing projects.

Till my next post, keep writing.

Let me know if this post was helpful with your claps and comments.