How to Succeed in Writing: Three Often-Overlooked Tips to Success

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While I struggled to make sense of an opinionated piece, by painfully cutting and discarding words and phrases, a totally unrelated – but interesting idea – hit me: What really makes a writer succeed? What lurks behind the minds of writers who make it good in the world of possible criticism and rejection before receiving the accolades and triumphs in their craft? Do successful writers follow a certain tip on how to succeed in writing that would clearly look like an embodiment of all the other vital guidelines?

Contemplating on my experiences, and of those who remain as my mentors in this field, I realize that I’m usually faced with these three tips:

One: Single-Mindedness

Albert Einstein, the well-known German-Swiss-American theoretical physicist, had said it well. He shared these words of wisdom in an interview with Reader’s Digest in their early issues. Excerpts from this info was later unearthed and reprinted by an author.

Sadly, I cannot recall the exact issue and the author to whom I would like to give credit to. However, I can remember, in that piece, the famous physicist had given importance to the value of single-mindedness in trying to reach a goal. He said that others usually think about many things while he thinks of one thing only. With that highly impressive mental focus on a single matter, Einstein has garnered success and lasting recognition for his work.

Two: Perseverance and Effort

Great effort should be spent when it comes to reaching your writing goals   No one can make you write but YOU. In fact, you don’t even need to be “truly inspired” or be “in the mood” to work in order to find the words flowing smoothly from your brain to the computer screen (or writing notebook) like magic. So many successful authors can attest to that fact.

As I’ve realized through the years, there are two basic needs you have to bear in mind: (1) You need to exert humongous efforts. And (2) you need to persevere to attain your goals.

While most writers know this, not all would choose to put it into action. There are always excuses.

So, here’s another way to look at it:

If you keep at a goal, you’ll more likely get it. That’s what I, and many others, believe is one of the ingredients needed to learn how to succeed in writing. Perseverance breeds on the ability to go on regardless of the obstacles that arrive at your doorstep; exerting effort, on the other hand, allows you to be mentally stronger to continue. Both of these qualities help make your work a masterpiece if you use them wisely.

Take a look at the famous author and spokesperson, Dr. Wayne Dyer. He has shared his life story in most of his bestselling books where readers are given a bird’s eye-view on the power of perseverance. Dyer thought of his goals, his dreams, and had affirmed them each time. If you read his books, you will see the many struggles he had to go through. But, he persevered. He placed all his efforts in reaching the stage where he is now.

Three: A Strong Reason for Being, to Fulfill

In Robert T. Kiyosaki’s book with Sharon L. Lechter, C.P.A. (which is one of my favorite books that I usually turn to from time to time), he says that one of the best tips is to have “a reason greater than reality.”(Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money – That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! New York, USA: Business Plus, 1997, 1998.)

While his book is, basically, geared towards the ways of understanding how to make money work for you, I see this tip can also be followed by others when it comes to one’s writing goals.

Kiyosaki emphasizes that only a strong reason can propel you to move forward, to make the effort to do things. If you don’t have that vital reason – that inner burning driving force – and you’re faced with reality, you’d probably give up easily.

Learning how to succeed in writing or with other goals in life is a process. If challenges hit you, working on your success is not, in any way, finding yourself accepting total disillusionment of your dreams and saying you’re a complete failure. That’s what happens when you don’t fuel your goals with that greatest reason that would help you get through all the hurdles you will have to face.