How to Build A Positive Attitude About Yourself as a Writer

I recently cleaned my office and I came across some things that gave me inspiration in my early years of writing. I don’t remember who gave me this particular piece and there is no specified author, so for the time being we’ll just call the author unknown.

A negative attitude toward yourself as a writer can make you anxious and lead you to “block.” A positive attitude can guide you realistically through the process.

1. If you find yourself thinking anxiety-producing thoughts such as … Nothing I put down will be any good, the change your attitude: encourage yourself ad tell yourself how to get the job done: It’s not doing any good to be so critical of myself. I’ll just get something on paper and improve it later.
2. I can’t think of how to begin….I don’t have to start at the beginning. I’ll start somewhere else and write the introduction later.
3. I intended to write today and I’ve puttered around instead: I’m a failure…Everybody procrastinates when writing: it’s natural. I just need to expec it and plan for it.
4. I feel inadequate to write this: It’s hopeless…I expect too much of myself. I can learn what I need to know and write down what I learn.
5. I strive for perfection in writing…Nobody’s perfect…but I can be competent at what I do. I’ll strive for competence.
6. I haven’t started to write when I intended to, so I might as well blow it off…I can still get something done. I’ll just write for five minutes and then I’ll be started.
7. I can’t write if conditions are not exactly right…I’m kidding myself. I can get some good solid work done in a variety of situations if I will just let myself.
8. I’m not a born writer. Writing comes so hard for me. I don’t have the talent…Most writing isn’t talent: it’s time and work. I don’t have to be a born writer to get this job doe; I just need to put I the time and attention.
9. I’m not creative…I’m scaring myself. Calm down. All I have to do is to finish this task, this job. My value as a person is not on the line.
10. I can’t write this until I understand it all…If I wait until I know it all, I’ll never start, much less finish. I can write the parts that I do understand now.

Write out your own negative attitudes and think up positive attitudes to replace them. And by all means…surround yourself with positive people. I cannot stress this enough. Negative energy tends to add stress as well as affect your life in other aspects…including your ability to write and the quality of what you write.