On the piece of paper where you have described old habits to avoid, create a list called "New Writing Habits in My Life." Include some of the things you're already doing, such as: writing, researching, networking, blogging, and reading every day.
Look for ways to incorporate it into your daily routine, while keeping it fresh and fun. Read while relaxing in a warm bath. Set aside time to stay in contact with new friends and associates you met at the last conference through e-mail or maybe even IM. If you're a morning person get up early to write. If you're a night owl, stay up late and get it done (this is definitely not me!)
A friend of mine received some invaluable advice the other day. She spoke with a woman she'd met at the gym. My friend had been struggling to get herself out of bed and to the gym every day, although she loves exercising. My friend asked this woman how she managed to get herself to the gym every morning...the woman told her: Don't think about it, just do it.
Once you build new habits, you need to make them so strong that you can't imagine life without them. One of the best ways to do this is through repetition--doing the habit over and over until it feels permanent. Don't think about it, just do it.
My husband has been traveling a lot on business lately. Since he will be gone until the end of the month I have given myself a self-imposed deadline to finish my current WIP. Every morning when that alarm clock goes off and I would rather hit the snooze or just shut it off and forget about it altogether I follow that woman's advice. I don't think about it. I just do it. I get out of bed, get myself some coffee, turn on the computer, set my timer and start writing.
If anyone knows the movie, The Patriot, you might remember after the main character's son is killed, he has a conversation with his friend Col. Burwell. Burwell tells Benjamin Martin to "stay the course". Every morning when my alarm wakes me and I want to forget about my deadline I hear Col. Burwell's voice in my head telling me to "stay the course". Will I make my deadline? I don't know, but it won't be for lack of trying.
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