Even though the holiday season has arrived, it’s unlikely that you can take a “holiday” from your writing projects. In fact, with year-end quickly approaching, you may actually have a pile of content development still on your plate (next to the turkey and stuffing leftovers) that needs to be to the printer, on a website, or published in less than a few weeks. @Karen can relate!
But, instead of begrudging this writing abundance, what about taking an Attitude of Gratitude toward it? New York Timesbest-selling author, Lewis Howes , writes that “Life is better if you develop an attitude of gratitude.” Thus, I’m thinking that my writing (and yours) will be better if we adopt this gratitude mindset as we plow through the rest of 2019’s content assignments.
Not sure how to begin applying this spirit of gratefulness to your writing projects? Perhaps these three ideas will help …
Before and after you work on a writing project, express to yourself or another person what you are grateful for.I often appreciate the opportunity to learn something new, write about a topic I am interested in, or interview a subject matter expert.
At the end of each day/week/month, take a moment to journal or tell someone (even yourself) what you have accomplished.There’s no achievement too small to note! I have no doubt that you will be shocked at how long – and productive - this list is.
Thank other people for inspiring/helping/supporting you in your writing.I recently told my boss how much I appreciate her giving me a chance to do what I love every day. It surprised me how just by making this statement made me feel even luckier to have my passion as my work!
The goal would be to adopt this Attitude of Gratitude towards writing not just for the next month, of course, but to take it into the New Year and beyond. This might be easier said than done, but it may help to know that doing so will benefit more than just our writing – recent research has shown that a grateful perspective improves mood and leads to better physical health as well. Gratitude is Good!
Author's Note: This article was originally written in my role as Chief Content Officer for Lisa Baker Associates.
