Why is Mindset so Important for a Writer?

Happy New Year! I always think that new year is a great time to make changes and reaffirm our goals. That’s why I want to talk to you about your mindset as a writer today.

2021 is OUR time! New year, new YOU!

I always wanted to be a writer, but something was holding me back. I wasn’t sure what it was, but it held me back for years. I settled for job after job, but I didn’t really enjoy my work. When I found a job in administration for my local government, it was my manager who insisted I followed my dreams. She always pushed me to do more.

My lack of belief in being able to achieve what I wanted to do, stemmed from my childhood. I was regularly bullied and developed agoraphobia as a teen. I left school with no qualifications and struggled to see myself in any other job other than an office job – writing was a pipe-dream to me, not a real job.

That was my mindset – it was all wrong!

When I decided to go to university, I wanted to study creative writing. I’d done really well in a summer school course with the local university and they told me I should go for it. I opted for English and Creative Writing, because something inside me was saying “English is a safe bet, people always need English teachers if the writing doesn’t work out“.

Again, this was my mindset, setting me up to fail.

When I started my degree, I hated constructive criticism and feedback. I wanted to cry and I always felt like it was a personal attack. I really struggled and even though I worked extremely hard, I struggled with any developmental feedback. I did develop my skills as a writer but it was hard on me.

I completed my BA, then my MA, then a PGCE, and I still didn’t feel adequate. I worked for the university publishing house for 3 years and was always praised for my commitment, yet, I still didn’t feel like a writer. Even after I was published (several times in over, in books, in a collection of stories, in magazines and on blogs), I still couldn’t say those words…

I’m a writer!

BUT why?

My mindset told me I wasn’t worthy of that title. Regardless of how much training I did, the qualifications I got, the publications I had, I still didn’t feel like I could call myself a writer.

Finally, in late 2018, I heard about mindset and I began to explore it further. I started to implement this and it was at this point that I felt able to call myself a writer (finally). I had writing jobs, but never actually admitted to the title previous to this. The mindset work didn’t last as I got consumed in my work and put this on the back-burner. In 2019, I started working on my mindset again, and I’ve worked on it ever since. I can honestly say that it was the turning point for me. You see, if you wanna be a writer, you have to have to have the right mindset – you have to have what I like to call…

A Writer’s Mindset

This is key to success!

If you have a Writer’s Mindset, you can turn feedback and criticism into a learning curve, you can stay motivated, you can hold yourself accountable, and you feel worthy of the title Writer or Author.

Every day I work on my mindset, and every day I’m thankful for the way it’s developed me as a person and as a writer. A lecturer of mine once told me that in order to be a writer, you have to have a thick skin because it’s not an easy job, and I get that now. The same person told me I’d never make it as a writer… as someone who has worked in teaching from primary school age, to University level, I don’t understand how anyone could say that to a student who lacked confidence.

But now, I’m free from the doubts that held me back…

As a teacher and consultant, I regularly edit and feedback to other people and I ALWAYS tell the truth but not in a personal or nasty way, but build them up and give them some objectives or goals to help them improve and develop.

For a long time my confidence was in tatters and my mindset was poor, but when you start from the beginning and work through whatever holding you back (typically starting from the way you think – your mindset), can really help you in achieving your dreams.

Having a Writer’s Mindset sets you up for success with your writing, and success in life. We’re all creatures of habit, but we have the ability to change and challenge ourselves. Start to work on the way you think and modernise your think patterns.

You got this!

Much love,