Category : Blogs
Sub Category : Motivation
On the surface, being a professional writer may seem like one of the most glamorous jobs there is. Glamorous in a way that you might imagine that the day in a life of a writer consists of sipping lattes, jet setting around the world and sitting in front of the computer typing out the next bestselling novel - the overall aura being that of Carrie Bradshaw, every writer's alter ego. You may even think that every novel that you see published or every article that has gone viral came effortlessly to the one who wrote it.
Well I have news for you. There is a lot of hard work and effort put into the mix. A lot of drinking pots of coffee to stay awake, a lot of burning the midnight oil and falling asleep on the table next to the computer, or not having sleep at all.
I can't count how many times someone has said, "It's so amazing that you can write. It must come natural for you because I can't write." While flattered, hidden beneath my subtle smiles and shrugs lies the truth of my reality - being a writer is far from easy.
There are days where I question my abilities when I see so much content from other writers on this app who write similar topics to mine, but may seem to offer something bigger, something 'better', in comparison to what I have. I sometimes feel the weight of the world sitting on my shoulders as I struggle through my edits while others seem to soar effortlessly. Because writing is a creative field, I struggle to stay relevant, fresh and ahead in the game that asks for what I can do and how I can deliver differently from the crowd. Some days when my mind is a complete blank and I get hit by the dreaded writer's block, I panic and question if I will succeed in my craft. But then I quickly remind myself that every writer has skills that are uniquely designed for them, and me giving up, would rob the world of a talent that many others can benefit from. It would rob the world of writings that are relatable and writings that can ultimately touch and change lives.
Every single person on this planet is built for something. And I believe deep in my heart and soul that this is what I am built for - writing. I may not be the best editor, but I can give a piece of writing with content that is worth reading or a story that is worth hearing. And just like how I lack certain skills in certain areas but thrive in others, my unique skills make up for what others may lack.
So my dear friends, don't beat yourself up because you are not seeing the numbers of read counts and ratings escalating rapidly. Don't be discouraged by the numbers. You may not have a channel like You Tube that can attract thousands of followers, but you have this app which is a channel that is relatable to so many. Just keep working on your craft. Trust me, in time, you will find your voice in your writing which will be your signature and you will go far even without that large of a following. You may be the last to learn a skill that everyone else on the app knows, but know this: they can't use that skill the same way you can.
Everyone on this app is gifted. In life, we are often taught that our worth is measured by our intelligence and what we can do which can sometimes make it difficult to believe in our own abilities especially when we compare ourselves to others. But the truth of the matter is, not everyone here on this app is built the same way. And you know what? That's okay. Because all of us have our own voice. All of us have something to say. All of us have something to contribute to the table. At the end of the day, that's all that matters.
Don't become bitter when you see others succeeding while you are still struggling to find your footing and you see them posting their successes on social media. Just keep in mind all the pots of coffee they drank to stay awake as they strain their eyes looking at the computer screen trying to come up with the best piece of writing that is relevant, fresh and relatable. That kind of hard work and effort deserves to get some highlight, don't you think? Your worth is not defined by what you cannot do. Trust me, not everyone can go on for days writing with only a couple of stolen hours of sleep here and there. Not everyone has that level of dedication in them to keep going on that kind of pace. You just need to remind yourself of this.
If you keep working on your craft, you will succeed. What will hold you back the most, is breaking when you realize that not everything will be a win. What will hold you back is believing that everyone else's successes must be yours as well. So cry, scream, vent if you need to, but don't quit when the going gets tough. Success is mostly about preparation for where you need to be. And today, where you need to be is here, right now, in your struggles to let your voice be heard so you can learn and grow from it.
All of us here on this app are not equipped to shine in the same way. However, we are all unique, talented, and can blow even our own mind if we take the time to go through all of our challenges and reap the rewards of the seeds we have sown. If there is one thing you should learn on this journey is that success is hard work, and most of your learning will happen behind the scenes.
All that hype about the glitz and glamour and everything else that you see on TV and social media, those are simply the after effects of years of toiling over a craft. So I am just here to remind you that if you consistently and continuously pursue your writing, you will be successful. Whether you choose to be a blogger, a novelist, a poet, a motivational writer, whatever it may be, there are millions of opportunities available for you. But while you toil, while you wait, and while you build your craft, don't ever forget that when you succeed, it is what you bring to the table that has brought you to your success.
Success thrives in uniqueness. Think about this and don't ever forget it. And when you do succeed, which you will time and time again, don't forget to ask yourself this.... What do I bring to the table?
