THIS will turn writer disappointment into determination

We all know the feeling of looking back at our monthly goals and feeling that pang of disappointment when we realize we didn’t accomplish as much as we’d hoped. When that happens, how can you motivate yourself to write?

But what if we could turn that disappointment into determination and motivation?

We have seen it happen time and time again in the Quill & Cup writing community when writers MAKE time to complete a Monthly Goal Review.

Here are some reasons for why it works!

1. It’s easy for writers to get discouraged by what they didn’t do.

Do you feel like you’re falling behind in writing? Like everyone else is writing faster than you are, or everyone else is writing more than you are? Getting published more often? Getting published at all? When we stop focusing on what we are getting accomplished, we can find ourselves deeply wounded and stuck by comparisonitis.

In a 2010 article published by the University of California, psychologist Rick Hanson was quoted as saying, “The mind is like Velcro for negative experiences and Teflon for positive ones.” No wonder our brains tend to focus on the negative experiences instead of the positive ones. 

A Monthly Goal Review can help you see what you did accomplish this month.

In fact, those who participate in our Quill & Cup Monthly Goal Reviews often comment at the end that they did way more than they gave themselves credit for! It's very encouraging!

2. Do you feel like other writers are writing more, or faster, than you are?

The comparison trap is a drain on your mental resources, and it’s already limited to begin with! To help you stop focusing on the highlight reel of others, a Monthly Goal Review can help get you back in your own lane. We can’t control the pace or work ethic of others, nor do we know what’s really going on behind closed doors (and off the social media scene).

When you make time for a Monthly Goal Review, you can refocus your energy towards what you are doing – not what you’re doing or not doing in relation to others. You bring it back to you vs. you. For example, when you realize that “those other writers” didn’t have to recover from the flu, or help their kids through ANOTHER cold, or... but you did ____ despite those unplanned circumstances, you feel more like a winner than a failure!

3. Accepting where you are (not where you think you should be or where you want to be) will help you move forward.

It’s normal to feel some shade of shame when you look at the enormity of your writing dreams and how “little” you did to move the needle forward. A Monthly Goal Review can help you replace shame and disappointment with a renewed sense of motivation and determination because you can name where you are, accept it (even if it doesn't feel good), and make next steps with wise action. Instead of REACTING to what's going on like a hamster on a wheel, you are put back in the driver's seat of your life!

Does this all sound “nice” but not realistic for you to accomplish on your own? We get it. That’s why we offer Monthly Goal Reviews performed in community, alone but together. 

In our Monthly Goal Review, we reflect on our achievements and set our sights on new goals. We take an honest look at what worked and what didn’t. This process allows us to continue growing as writers and fuels our motivation for the month ahead.

Remember, it’s not about feeling shame for what you didn’t do. It’s about celebrating what you did and gearing up to tackle what’s next.

Not a member of Quill & Cup yet? Why not experience your first Monthly Goal Review with us?

Start your free trial today to have this special event and evverryythingg else included with your trial membership!