She stares at the computer screen, hoping inspiration will jump out and assist her with writing an article. The only thing on the screen is a cursor that blinks over and over again. She looks around her office and stares at the four white walls. “Yeah, this is inspiring,” she thinks to herself. She has countless writing books which are good investments. But, it’s not enough. What else can our writer do to invest in herself?
Most writers do not invest in themselves. According to the article “Investing in yourself as a writer” from the blog 49 Writers, No Moose, “Every writer is a small business owner, who – no less than a restaurateur, say – may need to spend money for many years before breaking even. Spouses and friends may not understand, and even we writers have trouble giving ourselves permission, which is why I’m writing this. I can’t promise worldly riches will come your way, but I can promise you won’t go far or find satisfaction if you don’t treat your writing like a respectable investment.”
Tips to Investing in Yourself
- Treat yourself once in awhile when you reach a goal. It does not have to be anything extravagant. You could buy yourself a bookmark or an inspirational poster. Flowers would be a nice touch to any home and or home office.
- Purchase subscriptions to your favorite magazine or newspaper. The New Yorker, The New York Times, Travel and Leisure Magazine, or National Geographic are some examples.
- Writing books are a good investment. It’s always good to keep your writing skills up-to-date.
- Feng Shui your workspace. Separate your workspace and home life as much as possible. De-clutter your workspace as much as possible.
In conclusion, if you take time to invest in yourself as a writer, you will experience a rewarding career. You travel, write, and give of your time to create travel articles so that people may discover how enriching travel can be to their lives. Becoming a writer is a lifelong process. You may experience “bumps” along the way, but it’s how you handle those bumps that will separate you from other writers.
The bottom line is that you cannot deplete yourself and still find fulfillment in writing. Invest in yourself first, and the words will flow effortlessly across the screen. Remember the vital instruction that is given on an airplane: put your oxygen mask on first and then assist the person next to you!
Rebecca
