Freelance Writers Can Stay Motivated with These 7 Tips

• Buffer
• Tweet
• Share
• Email
• Sharebar

• Buffer
• Tweet
• Share
• Email

Staying motivated is one of the things that I think everyone has a hard time with at one point or another.  Sometimes we get frustrated with a project because it is not going the way we think it should.  Other times we lose motivation because we get tired of doing the same thing day after day.  When everything seems to be the same day after day motivation is often the first thing to go out the door.  But if we want the money to keep coming in we need to find ways to get fired up about what we are doing so that we can continue.

Here are some of the ways that I stay motivated (and trust me, since I’ve started working at home full-time I’ve had to use a few of these!):

• Read success stories.  Sometimes when you feel like you are just spinning your wheels reading the successes of others can help you get going again.  I find it especially helpful when I realize that other successful writers and online entrepreneurs have often gone through the same things as I do.  I love reading About pages and interviews.
• Write down your successes.  You haven’t gotten to where you are without successes.  You started from no where and now you’re…where are you?  Write down the things that you have succeeded at, the things you have taught yourself, and the challenges you have overcome to get where you are.
• Remember that this is your job.  Sometimes you have to remind yourself that doctors don’t get paid when they are not in the mood to operate and you won’t get paid if you are not in the mood to write.  If you want to pay the bills and eat and have money to go out and do fun things you need to write.  Some days are going to be more exciting than others but you still need to get down to business.
• Reward yourself.  Sometimes we need something a little bit extra to get the work done so give yourself rewards when you have completed a task.  It could be a trip to the coffee shop, a massage, or even just an hour to sit still and read a book that you like.
• Get a writing buddy.  When you need a lift up you can turn to each other.  Find someone with an upbeat attitude.  Don’t forget to be their cheer captain sometimes, too, though.
• Put the editor aside.  When you are writing, just write.  Don’t let the editor come in and tell you how much you suck.  Don’t let the editor stifle your creativity.  Let the editor come out only when you are done writing.  Then they can do their job.
• Find the ultimate inspiration.  What have you always wanted to do with your writing?  Write a book?  Then design a cover for the book and put in on your bulletin board.  Do you want to publish an article in the New Yorker?  Then keep a copy on your desk where you can see it.  Or maybe you’ve always wanted to go to Paris.  Put a beautiful Paris print on the wall.

We all need a little motivation to keep going at times so find out what kinds of things will motivate you.  Remember that no one gets promoted to the vice-president over night – you need to work your way up and you’ll need motivation to keep climbing that ladder.

Tagged as: Arts, Editing, FAQs Help and Tutorials, Motivation, New Yorker, Paris, Writers Resources, writing

Article by Danielle

I'm a social media junkie and professional freelance writer living in small town Manitoba, Canada. I drink a lot of coffee and love my computer (named Garcia after Penelope Garcia from Criminal Minds - the ultimate girl geek!), my kids, my husband, and my cats. In 10 years I hope to be that crazy lady travelling across Canada and the States with her three cats and her loving hubby. :) If you're interested in my professional services please visit my professional writer's site to find out more about my services or check out some testimonials from some of my clients.

has written 254 awesome articles for us at The Social Freelance Writer

Write for us a Guest Post!

Check This Out!

Do you love the look of this blog? Want your blog to look this hot? Then I'll tell you my secret! First, the blog theme I use is Thesis. It is very customizable PLUS it is great for your on page SEO!


Second, I'm using a blog skin (strangely enough it is called Blog Skin) from Thesis Awesome.


The combination of these two great blogging tools makes it easy for me to change up the look of my blog. I have to warn you though - using Thesis may turn you into a Thesis snob! It did for me!