Strategies for Maintaining Drive and Ambition

In the world of writing, motivation and creativity often play pivotal roles in the success of a piece. Kate M. Colby, a summa cum laude graduate from Baker University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, Creative Writing, and Sociology, shares some strategies that have helped her maintain her drive.

One of Colby's habits is scheduling a nightly writing session after dinner. She finds that showing up, regardless of initial inspiration, helps stimulate creativity. This routine, coupled with a clear understanding and commitment to her goals, serves as a powerful motivational tool.

Setting goals is another key strategy. Writing down these objectives can help maintain focus on long-term ambitions. Colby emphasises the importance of having a sense of purpose, self-discipline, and being kind to oneself in achieving these goals.

In addition to personal strategies, external sources of motivation can be beneficial. Bookmarking a successful person's website, posting their quotations, or listening to an interview with them can provide a much-needed boost. Colby, who is a writer of multi-genre fiction and creative nonfiction, as well as a writing-craft blogger, often finds inspiration in the works and words of others.

Another source of motivation can be found in the achievements of others who have reached similar goals. Their success stories can serve as a reminder of what is possible and provide a driving force to push through challenges.

Interestingly, Colby often finds herself motivated to write or clean at inconvenient times, only to lose motivation when she has free time. This phenomenon is not uncommon, and it underscores the importance of consistent effort and routine in maintaining motivation.

Rewarding oneself after achieving goals is another effective method for staying motivated. This could be as simple as treating oneself to a favourite snack or taking a break to enjoy a favourite hobby. Colby suggests that assigning a friend or family member to keep the rewards can help prevent self-cheating and ensure that progress is celebrated.

Lastly, recording feelings of motivation in the moment can help reclaim it later when motivation wanes. Finding role models can also be beneficial in maintaining motivation and creativity. However, a search for the author of the contributions titled "The Goal is to Have Motivated Characters," "How to Write for Immersion," and "Procrastination: How to Stay Motivated in Your Writing Task" did not yield any conclusive results.

In conclusion, maintaining motivation and creativity in writing requires a combination of personal discipline, goal-setting, external inspiration, and self-reward. By implementing these strategies, writers can overcome obstacles and achieve their creative potential.