Last week we discussed jump starting your career as a writer. Hopefully, you connected the battery cables and now have lots of juice flowing through your creative mind. So what’s next? You’re ready to kick things into high gear and pump those fingers toward the finish line. But then you realize how far away the prize actually is and wonder how you’ll be able to run that marathon.

The key is to pace yourself. And the only way you will be able to do that is to be honest about your limitations, weaknesses and imperfections. Our minds create all sorts of “necessary” diversions, designed to sabotage our efforts. For example, while writing this article, several things ran through my mind, any one of which could have sidelined my progress. I could easily justify them but in each case, if I acted on those inner suggestions, you would not be reading this article right now.

The mind is powerful and can actually take truth, put the spin of rationalization to it, and twists it into a destructive force. Let’s take a look at a couple of those examples I mentioned:

Thought One:  Susie May Warren’s latest book, The Shadow of Your Smile, is sitting just inches away, ready to be devoured. I really worked hard all week. I deserve time for myself.

Truth: I would really enjoy reading that book.

Rationalization: Susie is my friend. She’d be offended if her book sat on my shelf unread. What if she came over and saw it on my “to be read” bookshelf? What kind of friend would I be? Rationalization didn’t consider that she lives in northern Minnesota and I live in Florida. Yeah, I’m sure she’ll pop over for coffee any minute.

Result: I would not have written this article and I would let readers down. I’d fail and be miserable.

Disciplined Decision: I’d finish up my writing projects and read Susie’s book tonight as a reward for having put in a very productive day at the writer’s office.

Outcome: I have the sense of satisfaction of a job well done. I will help others. I will be closer to reaching the goals I set for myself. That will make me happy.

Thought Two:

I need to run to the bookstore.

Truth: I should be familiar with what’s happening in the world of publishing. It’s part of being a writer.

Rationalization: If I don’t know what’s happening in my genre, I won’t be able to make adjustments in my story to make it publish-worthy.

Result: I’d whittle away the precious hours I have in today browsing through novels that others had the discipline to sit at the keyboard and write. I’d be disappointed. It would be sobering.

Disciplined Decision: I’d go to the bookstore tomorrow after church for thirty minutes of free time browsing. I would already be out and can reward today’s hard work with a new book.

Outcome: I would accomplish my tasks for today and look forward to getting my hands on a new book tomorrow. When I got to the store tomorrow, I could browse with a free conscience knowing that I completed my work and readers would be coached.

You get the idea. Follow these next four steps and you’ll be well on your way to having a successful year:

1) Make your author to-do list your first priority. I’m not saying put God on the back burner or ignore the baby crying in the next room. But after those necessary activities, write first, then tackle other things.

2) Be honest. Totally, utterly, completely honest with yourself. Do you really need to do that or is that idea an unnecessary distraction?

3) Delay Gratification. Did you know that when you wait for something rather than acting on impulse, it actually creates a more fulfilling experience? It gives you something to look forward to and that creates hope, adventure and motivation to accomplish your tasks.

4) When it’s time to play, play! If you’ve completed steps one, two and three, you deserve step four. Let yourself go. Buy yourself a latte and read Lisa Jordan’s debut novel: Lakeside Reunion. Your mind will be free from guilt and clutter.

If you follow these four steps, you’ll be well on your way to setting the pace for a successful year.

Is something holding you back? Trying to overcome mistakes? Email me at reba@mybooktherapy.com. I’ll be glad to help.