Three reasons you're not writing--and how to overcome them

The About.com exercise site featured a post about the top ten reasons you don't exercise. What struck me is how many of these also come up as reasons why people who say they want to write don't actually do it. Here are three of the reasons (with the word "writing" substituted for "exercising", along with my suggestions for how to overcome them:

You've tried to write but you keep quitting. Maybe you take on too much too soon or are confused about how to get started.

Solutions: set modest goals at the start; get my book, "Your Writing Coach" (sorry, I couldn't resist--but it IS a good orientation to the whole process); join writing forums on the web.

You want to write but you have to take care of kids and family.

Solutions: Swap baby-sitting with someone who also needs time to do something important to them; make notes about your writing project as ideas occur to you throughout the day; write while other family members watch TV or play video games.

You can't seem to stay motivated to continue writing.

Solutions: Don't start judging your writing until you've finished a first draft; keep track of your word count, so you can see that you're making progress.

Writing HURTS!

Solutions: If by "hurts" you mean that sometimes the difference between what you hope to create and how it turns out is depressing, or that the writing you do gets rejected... welcome to the writing world. Get used to it. If the pain is too much, find another outlet for your creativity. If you try to give it up and can't...you're a writer!

(If the added motivation of a supportive online coaching program to help you reach your writing--or other--goals would help you, check out my Breakthrough Strategy 60-day program. It's explained fully at www.jurgenwolff.com)