The Power of a Decision on Your Writing

062816-DecisionLast week I shared 5 Tips to be a More Consistent Writer – one of which was decide. As in decide that your writing is important and you’ll give it the attention, desire, and effort it deserves.

Making the decision – just that decision – is very powerful. “When making any decision, whether you like it or not, you are okay with the consequences. We are instantly and subconsciously validating the outcome of our decisions as we are making them. If you think about it, it only makes sense to make those decisions that will eventually make us happy and achieve our goals…” from the website PickTheBrain.com

The challenge there, is that it’s not just the initial decision that matters; if anything that’s the decision that matters the least.

Anybody can say, “I’m picking up the pen today and putting words on paper.” And then do it for one day. That’s easy. You can ride the momentum of inspiration and excitement for the first day.

Your first decision isn't where the power lies - it's in continuing to make the decision. Click To Tweet

And maybe the second. And the third. Maybe you can ride it for a whole week.

The decision that really matters is the one that you keep making – every day, every week, every month. It’s the “little” decision you keep making, over and over, that really matters.


062816-DecisionCurveJust like with the blog and newsletter – the initial decision to write, publish, and email was made on August 5, 2013. But then I made that decision again on August 13. And on the 20th. And on August 27. September 2nd. And every single Tuesday from then until now.

Every. Single. Tuesday.

Are there weeks where I just don’t want to? Of course. But I decide (again) to do it.

Making that decision, consciously, week after week has created momentum and an upward success curve that just imagining ending freaks me out. It’s positive, weekly decisions to write that make the difference.

Is your writing on an upward path? Or are you heading away from your dream? #amwriting Click To Tweet

Now this makes me sound like I only make positive (good) decisions. I wish that was the truth! (Don’t get me started on my daily exercise decision; most days that isn’t a positive decision!) But all those positive writing decisions create the upward curve.

And the exercise curve goes down.

Here’s the real power of a decision:

062816-NewDecisionCurveAt any moment, you can reset time and say, TODAY I make a new decision. And start a new path. In the beginning you can’t see any results or momentum from the “good choice” – it’s hidden and invisible. You don’t see the results; you don’t feel any different.

But momentum builds quickly. And flexing your decision muscle comes easier.

So today, I want you to decide to write. It doesn’t matter if it’s for 5 minutes or 15 – just decide and then do it. Tomorrow, do it again. And the day after. And the day after that. Decide that you’ll create a writing habit (daily is great; a few days a week is often more practical). Then every time you’re faced with the choice to write or not to write – decide to write.

It’s as easy as that.

Kim Galloway
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