“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” – Louis L’Amour
While reflecting on my career journey recently, I realised that all of the success that I’ve achieved in my clients’ projects is not evident in mine. I hardly talk about the projects I’ve worked on save for highlighting some of them on my portfolio. And I’ve hardly dedicated any time to work on personal projects that could propel my career.
I don’t know about you, but this realisation saddened me.
In our hyper-digital work, if you don’t document the work you do and the projects you execute, then what’s the proof that they happened? Like the cool kids say, “no face, no case”. So yes, I realise that I need to do better.
Writing has always been a passion of mine and I’m fortunate to have realised this early in my life and built a career out of it. However, turning that passion into a disciplined practice that would be beneficial to me in the long run has been a challenge.
Like I always do when I face issues in my life, I look for people who have faced similar issues and try to extrapolate the decisions and actions that helped them navigate them. My current issue is not dedicating enough time to writing for myself and honing my craft. And some people I found online who have navigated such issues are Nathan Barry (CEO of Convertkit), Dickie Bush (Founder of Ship 30 for 30), and Codie Sanchez (Founder of Contrarian Thinking). I tried to look for Nigerians but couldn’t find any in my exact situation, probably because Nigerians who have been through the phase I am in are more focused on ‘living’ than ‘documenting’. These people (listed above) faced challenges similar to mine and took to writing to help them improve their lives just like I want to do. So what did I learn from them to help me overcome my challenge?
Simple.
To bridge the gap between my love for writing and my desire to improve, I’ve decided to embark on a 30-day writing challenge for a start and build it up to 90 days to see if I can maintain the momentum for 90 days. I’m calling it my Write Pact writing challenge. For me, this is a journey, not a trip.
This journey is not just about becoming a better writer; it’s about exploring my creativity, documenting my personal and professional thoughts, and building a solid portfolio that showcases my growth and versatility. Here’s how I am writing my way to becoming a better writer.
So, Why A 30-to-90-Day Writing Challenge?
The idea of the Write Pact writing challenge sprang from a simple realisation: writing, like any other skill, requires consistent practice and dedication. I wanted to create a structured yet flexible plan that would push me to write regularly, explore different genres, and develop a deeper understanding of my writing style. The Write Pact 30-to-90-day writing challenge is my commitment to this vision. I have seen Dickie Bush and Nathan Barry do similar versions of a writing challenge and have gone on to be successful writers. So, why can’t I?
Setting the Framework For My Writing Challenge
I designed my Write Pact writing challenge to provide a mix of structured writing tasks and creative freedom. Here’s how I’ve set it up:
- Daily Writing Goals:- Every day, I will commit to writing for at least one hour. This could be anything from journaling and brainstorming to drafting articles and stories. The key is to simply write anything for myself…consistently…every day.
- Weekly Themes:- Each week, I will focus on a specific theme or genre. This will help me to diversify my writing and keep the challenge exciting because 90 days is a long time and a challenge such as this is no joke. The themes that I’ll write on will include personal development, opinion pieces, professional development, copywriting, content marketing, and more which I’ll add as I explore my interests.
- Monthly Projects:- At the end of each month, I’ll aim to complete a substantial piece of writing. This could be a long-form article, a short story, or a collection of poems. These monthly projects will serve as milestones and provide a sense of accomplishment for me to keep going.
- Regular Reviews:- At the end of every week, I will review my work to identify strengths and areas for improvement. This reflective practice is crucial for tracking progress and setting new goals for the next week’s challenge.
Getting Started With My Framework
From past experiences, I know that my usual challenge with writing is staying committed to my personal projects. I can push myself to unbelievable limits to ensure that I complete a client’s project. But when it comes to my thing, I suddenly can’t find the time or be committed to working on it. So, this is how I plan on preparing myself to stay committed to this writing challenge.
Week 1: Finding My Voice
I’ll start the first week by finding my voice and setting the tone for the challenge. I will start with personal essays and journal entries, exploring my thoughts, experiences, and aspirations. I believe that this introspective writing will help me connect with my inner writer and lay the foundation for the rest of the challenge.
Weeks 2 & 3: Exploring Different Genres
Over the next two weeks, I will dive into different genres. Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and opinion pieces will all have their place. This exploration will not only broaden my writing horizons but also help me discover new strengths and interests.
Week 4: Professional Development
In the fourth week, I will focus on writing pieces that are related to professional development as a creative in Nigeria. This includes articles on networking, building a portfolio, and exploring freelance opportunities. Writing about these topics will not only enhance my knowledge but also help me articulate my career goals and strategies which I should have gained a better understanding of at this time.
Months 2 & 3: Documenting Progress
At the end of each month going forward, I will compile my best pieces into a mini-portfolio. This will serve as a tangible record of my progress and a source of motivation. Whether it’s a collection of short stories or a series of articles, these projects will showcase my growth as a writer…both to myself and the world.
Why I Am Making This Public
Like I said earlier, we live in a “no face, no case” world. Most people in my industry globally have achieved their career successes by building themselves and their projects publicly. For an introvert like me, this adds another layer to an already tasking challenge but I know that for me to achieve the kind of success I desire, I need to build and execute publicly. Why?
Well, one of the most important aspects of this challenge is seeking feedback. Writing is one of those disciplines that benefit from public feedback and validation. So, to get this feedback, I have decided to share my work and journey with friends, fellow writers, online writing communities, and everyone in the digital space.
I recognise the role of constructive criticism in helping me refine my craft, and the importance of positive feedback to boost my confidence. Also, engaging with a community of writers can provide me with inspiration and accountability that will be valuable on this journey. Believe me, this is all a little scary for me, but if I don’t explore all of these, I may not achieve my desired result within the timeframe I have set for myself.
Of Course, There Are Other Challenges To Overcome
A challenge wouldn’t be complete without its hurdles. Writer’s block, self-doubt, and time constraints are all parts of the journey. However, I’ve developed strategies that I hope will help me to overcome these obstacles:
Writer’s Block:- When I’m stuck on any piece, I will take a break, read a book, go for a walk, or do one of the gazillion tasks that a working mother has to do. In the past, shifting my focus when working on a writing project has helped me return to writing with a fresh perspective and I hope that it will continue to.
Self-Doubt:- For me, this challenge is about growth, not perfection. So if I’m faced with self-doubt, I will remind myself that every piece of writing I will be doing is a step forward, regardless of its initial quality.
Time Management:- Being a working mother who’s juggling a 9-5 with a solopreneurship business, I’ve learned to carve out dedicated writing time each day to work on important clients’ projects. I will be treating this challenge as a non-negotiable part of my daily routine and looking at it through the lens of it being an important client’s project. I can be my client too.
My End Goal
The ultimate goal of this 30-to-90-day writing challenge is to become a better writer. But it’s also more than that. It’s about building a habit, exploring my creativity, and creating a body of work that I can be proud of. By the end of the challenge, I hope to have a diverse portfolio that reflects my growth and versatility as a writer.
I am excited about embarking on this writing challenge. It is looking to be an exciting journey of self-discovery and improvement. In the end, I hope that it will be a testament to my commitment to writing and a structured way to hone my craft.
As I navigate through the next 90 days, I look forward to the stories I’ll tell, the skills I’ll develop, and the writer I’ll become. If you’re a fellow writer or aspiring to be one, I encourage you to join me on this journey. I will be documenting my growth and challenges on my LinkedIn and my Reflections With Rae newsletter so follow along. Together, we can write our way to becoming better, more confident writers.
Do you have any questions about creating content and writing? Leave a comment below or DM me on Instagram!
