When I first started writing, I sabotaged myself by trying to do too many things at once. I had such lofty ideas. I pitched articles, started books, hired myself out to edit other people’s writing, and set up collaborations.
My enthusiasm was sky-high, and I wanted to do it all. But here’s the thing—doing it all at once rarely leads to writing success.
Each project moved forward, but progress was painfully slow. I felt like I was running in place, exerting so much energy but not really getting anywhere. The excitement of starting a new project quickly fizzled when I realized I wasn’t finishing anything.
Pro writing tip: If you don’t finish anything, you can’t publish, and no one will read your writing.
I learned this the hard way. The more thinner I spread myself, the less I accomplished. It became clear that trying to juggle too many projects at once was not the path to writing success. I found myself stuck in a cycle of starting and stopping, unable to reach my goals. The sheer number of tasks I had taken on left me feeling overwhelmed.
Instead of stretching yourself out like I did, choose no more than three writing projects and work on those.
When I finally made the decision to limit myself to just three projects, everything changed. I began to see real progress. Focusing on a smaller number of projects allowed me to give each one the attention it deserved. My writing improved, and most importantly, I started finishing things.
But how do you choose which three projects to focus on?
How to Choose Your Three Creative Projects
Start by making a list of all the ideas you have for writing and any other creative projects. Don’t hold back—let your imagination run wild and write down everything that comes to mind. Once you have your list, it’s time to prioritize.
Look at your list and choose the top three projects that excite you the most. These should be the projects that align with your long-term goals and ignite your passion. As you begin working on them, you’ll gain more insight into which ones truly resonate with you. Feel free to tweak your selection as you go, but try not to stray too far from your initial focus.
If three projects still feel like too much, it’s perfectly fine to start with fewer. The key is to avoid overcommitting yourself. More than three will likely leave you feeling frustrated and pulled in too many directions, just as I once did.
1. Stick to It
All writers, at some point, doubt their writing and wonder if perhaps they should give it up. It’s a normal part of the writing process. When those moments of doubt creep in, it’s important to keep pushing forward even if it’s just a little bit at a time.
Write one word or one sentence if that’s all you can manage. Try free writing to unlock new ideas, or ask someone for feedback. But don’t give up on a project simply because you hit a rough patch.
Remember, writing success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of consistent effort and dedication. Every writer experiences self-doubt, but those who persevere are the ones who ultimately succeed.
2. Know When a Project Isn’t Right
However, sometimes quitting is the right choice. But how do you know the difference between a project that just frustrates you and one that isn’t worth your time?
A project may not be right for you if it continually leads to a dead end or if the end goal doesn’t match your aspirations. If a project doesn’t align with your bigger picture or your writing success route, it might be better to let it go. Ask yourself if you’re making measurable progress. If the answer is no, it may be time to consider quitting that project.
Once you’ve chosen your top three projects, the rest go onto your backburner list. This way, you’re not abandoning your other ideas; you’re simply saving them for later.
3. Create a Plan for Your Creative Projects
Now that you’ve selected your top three projects, it’s time to create a plan. Instead of guessing what you’ll work on and when to schedule your projects, choose times when you know you’ll have the headspace to do the deep work that creative writing requires.
You can organize your plan for the year ahead using my book, The Writer’s Roadmap. This will help you get a big-picture view of your creative journey. Once you have that in mind, break it down and decide when you’ll work on each project throughout the year. Perhaps you’ll take the summer off to rewrite your book or use the time before the holidays to market something you want to sell.
Writing success is not about doing everything at once; it’s about doing the right things at the right time. By focusing on just a few projects and giving them your full attention, you’ll find yourself making real progress and achieving the goals that matter most to you.
