“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life… and that is why I succeed.” ~ Michael Jordan
What are you willing to do to pursue your dream of becoming a published writer? It is the rule rather than the exception that most serious, aspiring writers write with the end goal being publication. Yes, there is a small minority who write merely as a hobby but most writers dream of publication. After all, what good is writing if there is no audience to read it?
So what are you willing to do? What sacrifice will you make to achieve your goals?
What you need to achieve this, more than anything (other than talent), is single-mindedness. Webster’s Dictionary defines this as “having one driving purpose or resolve: determined, dedicated”.
Determination and resolve: make the decision that you are going to write, no matter what.
Dedication: commitment to your writing goals to the point of self-sacrifice. The only way to write is to sit down and do it. But life does get in the way: children need tending, jobs need to be worked and so on. Self-sacrifice does not require organ donation but it does require a time commitment. What are you willing to give up? Can you give up your favourite TV program? The weekly lunch with friends? Hours spent with the Xbox? An extra hour of sleep?
Think of anyone at the top of their field from Michael Jordan to Tiger Woods to JK Rowling to Celine Dion. They did not just wake up one day and were the greatest in their chosen field, they achieved this through many years of practise, self-sacrifice, commitment and never taking their eye off the ball.
Take the case of the American president, Abraham Lincoln. He was practically illiterate with only a few years of schooling but was determined to become educated and did this by becoming a self-taught man. He borrowed and read everything he could get his hands on and memorized what he read as well, such as the works of Shakespeare.
Before she became published, Maeve Binchy, the best selling Irish author, arose early every morning so she could write before she went to her day job.
Taking it further, single-mindedness also involves soldiering on and never giving up in the face of disappointment, rejection or writer’s block. It is very rare for a writer to be published on their first attempt. It is usually book 2, 3 or 4 that gets published. I am sure Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods have had bad practise sessions, but they always returned the next day. It is the same with writing: make the intention, make the commitment, and then keep writing.
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