What do unemployed writers do?
They keep themselves occupied by working on their writing and honing their skills. I know this because my current status is “unemployed writer.”
This is because I am focusing on building a career in writing. And it was not an overnight decision. I’ve written for many years now, thanks to the skills I developed so I could live as an experienced writer. Writing was just my side hustle, but shifting to a full-time writing career needed a lot of “mindful inner engineering”, including coping with worries about no paychecks.
Naysayers ask me to rethink my decision, but I am adamant about nurturing my desire. So, armed with just a dream, I have set out to establish myself as a writer.
There are a few universal beliefs that guide me and work for me.
Use what you can.
Working it
For me, the essence of hard work is perseverance — hanging in there, trying different strategies and seeing which ones succeed, and traveling over rough terrain to reach my goal. Staying the course, even when faced with a series of failures, is what I define as hard work. Hard work does not mean simply putting in the hours by tweaking a few applications and applying for X number of jobs every day. I invest every minute I can to do all that there is to be done. This is the kind of hard work that I love.
If you redefine the meaning of your own hard work, I believe that you will achieve all your goals.
Without that meaning, you will not.
Discipline, eight days a week
When boredom sets in, when I am low on inspiration, or when I have no desire to carry on, I think of this word. It is the key ingredient I keep in my kitty. Showing up regardless of how I feel is something I prioritize. Showing up involves working on blogs, creating pitches, and engaging with the writing community on social media platforms. I do this every single day – including weekends.
Writing itself is simply discipline.
Dedication in a jar
I am dedicated to becoming the best writer because I love the craft. Organizing my desk, documents, and thoughts helps me. I maintain a Word document where I jot down ideas – even the smallest of thoughts, a single word. Everything goes into that document.
After reaching my desk, I scour that document for inspiring and useful ideas and start working on blogs, articles, and fiction.
Saves time, stores ideas.
Unrelenting
I am relentless in my pursuits. I wasn’t always like this, but experience and life’s hard knocks have shaped this side of my personality. In seeking success, I also investigate and identify the areas in which I need to boost my skills, and by doing so, make plans to expand my repertoire.
Once I have a sliver of an idea, I register for online courses and upgrade my knowledge.
You might have noticed my plate is overflowing. I, too, am aware of this. At times I become overwhelmed, wondering where this path is going. Will it take me towards my goals?
I am riddled with insecurities, just like so many others out there. During such times, I tell myself, “It is okay to have self-doubt because it shows you are not running with your eyes closed.”
Trusting myself goes a long way.
Formula for success
My formula amounts to labeling whatever results from my efforts to be a success for what it is.
That formula builds on all the principles and beliefs mentioned above and looks like the typical day I follow as an unemployed writer. It sustains me and keeps me motivated.
