Habits can be wonderful. When you’re barely awake in the morning but you’ve brushed your teeth, made your lemon water, and are sitting on your yoga mat before you realize it — that’s a great habit.
But habits can also keep us stuck in a rut. When we continue the same pattern of behavior or thought over and over again — even though it’s not serving us — that’s when it’s time to do a habit-overhaul.
Taking a long, hard look at your writing habits is especially important.
Writing is a fact of life for business owners and entrepreneurs. You have to write blog posts and social media posts and emails and website copy.
If you’ve got some rusty old writing habits that aren’t working in your favor, trying to write content can grind your business to a halt.
Which means you’re not getting your powerful message out.
So your ideal clients aren’t finding you.
And your gifts are languishing, going unused and unshared.
Yucko!
Let’s take a look at some of the most common, most damaging, most unexamined writing habits. And what you can replace them with.
It doesn’t happen overnight. After all, these habits have built up over the course of years. But shining a light on these bad habits is the first step in changing them.
Here are 10 writing habits to say “NO” to so you can say “YES” to writing authentic, compelling content for your coaching business.
#1 No to flying by the seat of your pants.
Find the freedom in structure. Use a writing recipe, a checklist, or a plan.
#2 No to writing gremlins.
You don’t have to believe the voices in your head that tell you your writing isn’t good enough or that you don’t have enough time to write. (Or whatever other crapola they’re selling.)
#3 No to perfectionism.
Published is better than perfect. No one can read that amazing blog post that only exists in your head.
#4 No to stress.
Scale back. Adapt. What can you get done with ease? How can you modify your plan to fit the schedule you actually have instead of the schedule you wish you had?
#5 No to doing everything before you do your writing.
Writing takes energy. Give it some good brainpower! Try moving writing up to the beginning of your work day, or right after some physical activity so your blood is flowing. Avoid writing after doing something draining, like a task in your business you really dread or have to work hard at.
#6 No to unrealistic writing goals.
If your’e waiting until you’ve got two uninterrupted hours before you write, you’ll be waiting for a long time. Set a smaller goal so you can achieve it. Writing for 10 minutes is awesome!
#7 No to doing it alone.
Grab a writing buddy. Find a writing community. Co-work. Work with a writing coach to get accountability and support.
#8 No to all or nothing thinking.
Getting some words on paper is better than none. Celebrate your small wins and let go of the habit of moving the goal posts.
#9 No to putting all the pressure on yourself to come up with great ideas.
Listen to your clients and potential clients and join the conversations they’re already having. Not only is this easier, but it also produces better copy and content. The best marketing messaging taps into your ideal client’s hopes, wishes, dreams, fears, and struggles.
#10 No to staying silent.
Find your authentic voice. Tell your story. Share your wisdom. Change the world.
BONUS: #11: No to trying to make all the changes at once.
Choose just one thing from this list. Which number feels the most pressing? Or the easiest to tackle? Take it one step at a time and you’ll be able to consciously create the new writing habits you want.
What habit will you change to make your writing flow?
Happy flowing!
Megan?