“If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, than walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” Martin Luther King Jr.

Perseverance is what makes a writer, successful. It has very little to do with skill or talent or even gifting.

Writers who don’t make it, end up quitting way too soon. This is what I’ve noticed as I’ve been mentored by successful author entrepreneurs. The good ones keep going. That’s all there is to it.

The most successful writers work hard at improving their skill. They take time to write that book or blog, to create their art, work on that project, crafting and revising a piece of art until it’s just right. Often they spend hours and days, just reworking and improving their art.

Writers who keep growing are resigned to the fact that their first attempt at anything they create might not be their best work, but they are committed to their craft.

They are willing to take constructive criticism and to appreciate helpful feedback; They listen to both the voices of others and their own intuition to learn from and to receive inspiration from them.

It’s this commitment to stick with it, that is the key to being a successful writer.

Commit to Doing the Work

For writers who are committed to putting out their best work, it’s not about creating in spurts of inspiration. It’s a focus on doing their work, everyday. Day after day.

All creative people who are are committed to learning and growing  can do this, because they are passionate and believe in what they’re doing. For them this is more than a hobby. It’s a calling – their life’s work.

Those who are good, aren’t perfectionists, but they’ve learned about what it takes to go Pro. I first learned about to keep writing and working hard at learning my craft everyday, from reading Steven Pressfield’s book Turning Pro.

Writers who keep growing in their craft, understand that success is connected to their commitment to stick with it. [Tweet this]

What Happens if You don’t Commit

Writers who don’t understand this type of commitment to their craft, don’t continue to grow.  And this is exactly what makes them bad artists. They assume their art has achieved a certain level of greatness, so they are not open minded to the idea of reworking or improving their craft.

Most of the time they are afraid of failing. So their work is scattered and not all that good.

Many creative people – artists – who are creating work that matters, aren’t always willing to put in the effort it takes to change.

I know, because I used to be one of them. I would write a blogpost at the last minute or just let everyday life carry me along without any pre-planning on my part.  This wasn’t helpful. I found myself scattered and many times unsure of my next steps. I felt anxious and rushed, which made writing a book or working on any other project exhausting rather than the fun experience it started out to be.

My biggest holdback was the constant thought of really trying and failing. What if I put my heart into something again… and it failed? I think I’d go crazy.

I wrestled with these thoughts for years, even joining Tribe Writers while I was battling all of this…. but finally after 2 years of this ongoing battle I decided I was going to put it all on the line. I decided to commit. It was time to go Pro.

Choose to Go the Extra Mile

I’ve learned you have to choose to be different. Go that extra mile. Keep going when others do not. Continue to believe in yourself even when taking that next step scares you to death.

Search for people who have some success in the area you’re trying to learn and be like an apprentice. Learn from them. Put your hours in and pay your own dues. It will pay off, but you have to be willing to do the work.

I’ve realized the responsibility I have to honour the gifts I’ve been given. I hope you do too. You have wonderful gifts and talents to offer the world, that will change someone’s life…but you need to realize the commitment it takes to get better. 

And don’t worry if you feel like you’re not that good. Many people feel the same way. The good news is that you can get better.

You can be the one that outlasts people who are lucky and outworks those who choose not to commit. [Tweet this]

It begins with having a humble heart and being willing to listen to yourself. To learn from others. To do the work necessary for you to turn pro.

If you commit to making your creative work great by not settling for just good enough, it will be the turnaround you need that will make a big difference in your craft. 

I’ve chosen to commit to go on creating. To continue practicing everyday. To keep improving my craft. 

I hope you do too.

To understand more of how to stay focused when other areas in your life threaten to distract you from your art; or how to stick with it when your inspiration as an artist has run dry – I highly recommend Julia Cameron’s book Finding Water: The Art of Perseverance (Artist’s Way). 

Have you made the choice to commit to learning your craft? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.