The motivation to write

19 April, 2007 Posted by Joanna As Inspiration

“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

Are you aware of the purpose that lies behind your writing - the reason why you want to write? Are you focused on the challenge of gathering and dividing the wood - or is there a vast and endless sea that you’re yearning for?

Knowing your purpose is a simple but effective way of increasing your motivation and developing your confidence as a writer.

This is a principle that applies to all forms of work. (For some of us writing would never be considered ‘work’ - but that’s a different story…) As we read in today’s happiness tip at Embody, finding meaning and purpose can make us happier in what we do. And if you’re not feeling motivated by your organisation or line manager or even your financial rewards they challenge us to:

“take responsibility yourself for finding creative meaning in your work”

Two quick suggestions for how to do that in relation to your writing:

1. If your reasons are full of ’should’ and ‘must’ and ‘ought to’ try asking yourself “what would happen if I didn’t?”. This might help identify the underlying reason and a more positive, powerful purpose. (If your answer is that nothing different would happen try asking yourself again if you really want to write!)

2. Look for the higher purpose, beyond the immediate gain. Ask yourself “what would that give you that you wouldn’t otherwise have?” Keep going with this until you get to positive, compelling answers (eg time, freedom, independence, reputation, health and well-being, support my family) and then build that motivation into your reason for writing.

Coaching is about taking action, the practical steps that will take you towards your goal. But it won’t get you there if you don’t have a bigger picture, a real and meaningful connection with where you want to go. It’s worth finding yours.

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