How Your Mindset Affects Your Writing Success

When I talk about your mindset, I am referring to your beliefs; perceptions of self; inner talk; self esteem; values and thought processes. It's what you believe about yourself. All this affects your behaviors, relationships and the ability to create the life you want.

If we are what we think about then our mindset is instrumental in helping us visualize the best possible life. But thinking about it won't make it happen.

Weeks before I went to the Byron Bay Writers Festival in Australia, I visualized pitching my novel idea to Bruce Beresford, the Academy award winning movie director who was to attend. I had no idea whether I would even see him there.

While waiting for the mini bus to transfer us from the airport to the hotel, who do you think boarded the bus? With a pounding heart I tried to construct a brilliant pitch but sat three rows behind Bruce Beresford and stared at the back of this head for the forty five minute drive to Byron Bay. I believe I created the perfect opportunity but lacked the confidence to take action. Therefore, the combination of thought and ACTION creates success and your reality.

Confidence is the key. I had my poetry, short stories and novel ideas suffocating in a steel filing cabinet before I didnt believe in myself. I have met many new writers and artists who have a passion but don't think they are good enough. These are limiting thoughts which stop us from doing what we love and creating success.

Changing Your Mindset. What is your mindset around writing and the idea of success? Do you think positively or such thoughts as: I'm not a good writer. I'll never make any money writing. It's too hard to get published. You can shift your thinking and create a new mindset that is open to all possibilities, positive outcomes and the belief that you can achieve anything. Write statements such as: My writing is improving daily. I am earning an income through my writing. (Be specific about how much you want to earn). I am a successful writer.

Write Affirmations. Write these affirmations down and stick them where you will see them daily. Imprint these new thoughts into your mind and believe what you read, you'll be surprised by the outcome.

On forms that ask for my occupation I declare, "Mother and Writer". Tell people that you are a writer. People love it and want to find out more.

Stop Cleaning Your Bathtub - Procrastination Vs Organization. Everyone talks about the importance of goals and a timeline. Without it your dream could take you years to achieve. Procrastination will force you to do everything but write, if you let it. Beat procrastination by realizing it is only fear holding you back and do small things daily to work on your project. Life is busy. Work, children and a thousand other excuses fill up our days. But if you really want to do something you will find the time. Half an hour a day, in your lunch break or when the baby is asleep is all you need to begin you on your journey.

Organization can begin with simply writing down what you will do each day in your diary. I have provided an example but you can break it down even further to avoid time wasting. For Example: Monday - Map out plot; Tuesday - Character Profiles; Wednesday - Themes; Thursday - Research for novel; Friday - synopsis for each chapter; Saturday - free write; Sunday - relax.

Write a Business Plan. Most writers have no idea about the "business" of writing. There is a false perception that writing simply involves getting the story down. However, a business plan with your mission statement, objectives, market analysis, market research, suitable agents and publishers for your book, costs involved, and a timeline of events can significantly help you become more successful and be clearer about what you want to achieve.

Look forward to rejection and make Persistence your Friend. Rejection is simply an opportunity to review your work and find another publisher who is right for you. Be professional and research your market and genre or consider alternatives such as Self Publishing. Get real about it. Work out what you have to do to get your book out there and don't give up. Be persistent.

Create a Dust Jacket This is where you can have some fun with creative visualization. Design the graphics for the cover of your book with colored pencils or on the computer. How do you want it to look like? See it in your mind and create it. Once you touch it, a tangible object, the more real it becomes to you and your subconscious. Get excited about it. Cover an old book with your dust jacket and keep it in a place where you will see it daily. Line a whole bookshelf with your books if you want. This will remind you every day of your goals, dreams and motivate you to do what you have to do - WRITE.