Chapter 1: Understanding Motivation

Have you ever experienced a lack of motivation? It's a common struggle many face, especially when trying to maintain a consistent writing routine. Since individual therapy isn't an option for me right now, my therapist sends me helpful video clips that resonate with my feelings.

Recently, I opened up to her about my struggles with motivation and my aspirations to excel. Despite my efforts, I often feel like I let myself down. She reassured me that I possess the resilience needed to overcome these challenges and continues to check in on me.

This morning, she shared an insightful post about "Freeze mode," which explains how stress can lead to feelings of being stuck and unmotivated. While I generally feel driven, I often find myself juggling numerous tasks on my to-do list.

For instance, yesterday was a productive day for me. I managed to complete around ten different tasks, including:

• Creating a TikTok video that went viral
• Posting a TikTok for my business
• Finalizing the upload of my eBook on Kindle
• Sharing a post on LinkedIn
• Applying for ten targeted job opportunities (with an 88% likelihood of landing one)
• Writing and publishing an article on Medium
• Bulk-cooking meals for the week
• Exercising and achieving 8000 steps
• Reading a book and journaling
• Listening to a self-improvement podcast

Despite this success, I still found myself awake until 3 am.

On a day like today, however, my accomplishments are fewer. So far, I’ve only managed to:

• Bake peanuts
• Send four pitches to career coaches for advice
• Create a portfolio for my business (feel free to check it out here)
• Clean my home

As I sit down to write this blog post at 2 am, I remind myself that it’s okay to have off days. I tend to be quite critical of myself, as I feel that my well-being impacts a broader community.

But today, I'm choosing to be kind to myself.

I won’t write as much today, but I will make sure to write tomorrow!

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

Hi, I'm Ann — a content marketer, brand strategist, copywriter, published author, retired teacher, and entrepreneur. I'm dedicated to helping brands grow through strategic content and engaging copy. I also have a passion for storytelling. Let’s connect!

Chapter 2: Overcoming Writing Barriers

The first video titled "Why You Won't Write a Book in 2021" explores common obstacles that prevent aspiring authors from completing their projects. It delves into the psychological barriers and practical challenges that writers often face, offering insights and encouragement to overcome them.

The second video, "Random House's Writer's Routine: Write the story that won't stop bothering you," shares practical advice from successful authors on how to stay motivated and tackle writing projects that resonate personally. This video emphasizes the importance of persistence and finding inspiration in personal experiences.