I’ve Written 300+ Articles — These 7 Simple Habits Are the Reason (Are You Missing Them?)
Try them and see how you become a writing ninja
Writing consistently is a challenge.
It’s nerve-wracking for some too, and if you’ve got a 9–5, then God forbid — you need some extra cells just to deal with it.
I started writing online while juggling a full-time job, so I know exactly what it’s like. Some days, I’d open my laptop, ready to write, and words would flow like vanilla ice cream.
On other days, I’d struggle to write a single paragraph. I’ve experienced this more than 20 times, to be specific.
At first, I thought it was just a motivation issue. Maybe my creativity had dried up like a neglected houseplant. OR maybe my brain was too drained from tight deadlines and all the shit that’s going around.
But honestly, neither of those was the real culprit. The real issue was my habits — or rather, the lack of them.
So, I let go of the habits that drained me, and in their place, I planted small, intentional habits that made writing feel more like second nature.
Here’s a list of those 7 habits.
1. Originality is Overrated — Steal Ideas Ethically🧠
Ideas are the backbone of your writing. If you have the good ones, you’ll thrive, if you don’t, you’ll struggle. Collect them first. See how I do it here.
Use the right tools like — Notion, Evernote, or Notes app on your phone to store them.
Also, don’t follow the temptation to be original, if you’re just starting.
Originality is a myth. Everything you read, every thought you have, every conversation you overhear is a remix of something that already exists or existed. Know this truth and use it to your advantage.
Borrow ideas as mentioned in Steal Like An Artist.
Observe an idea, jot it down if it resonates, and write it with your own:
experiences
perspective
voice
Remember: Nobody cares who said it first; they care about who says it best.
2. Lower the Bar⏸️
Expectation is a slow poison. It kills you. Doesn’t matter whether you’re expecting something from a relation or your writing.
The simple solution is to — lower the bar.
Don’t aim to write 1000 words when you’re doing it for the first time.
You won’t be able to do that. Focus on slow but steady progression.
Start with writing 100 words. Write them for 4–5 days. Then increase the level and aim to write 250 words. Continue doing it until 1000 seems normal to your brain.
3. Write When the Clock Says So⏰
Your brain craves patterns.
This is the reason why you brush your teeth without thinking, why your morning coffee feels a non-negotiable, and why you always check your phone at red lights (don’t deny it).
You have done these things so often that now your brain doesn't see them as something new. They’re a part of your routine.
Create the same rhythm for your writing.
Find your power hours and write during those exact hours.
If you train your brain to expect writing at a specific time every day, it stops resisting. It stops negotiating. It just gets to work.
Once that happens, your words will start coming up — like a well-trained dog waiting at the door.
4. Consume>Create🧑🏫
You can’t pour from an empty cup. You’ve to fill it with the right kind of stuff, with the right kind of content.
How will you do it?
Make reading a part of your life. I know it sounds a bit boring, but honestly, it’s much more rewarding.
Pick a book of any genre that fascinates you.
No need to watch the ‘10 Best Books for Beginners’ YouTube video.
Go by your instinct. I started reading at the end of 2023 and it’s one of the best life-changing habits that I’ve developed.
Don’t stop at books only. Read long-form articles. Listen to podcasts. Watch the right kind of documentaries.
The more right stuff you put inside, the better and easier your writing process becomes.
5. Track to Tackle✅
“What gets measured gets managed.” — Peter Drucker.
Track your writing habit just like you track your steps. I use this habit tracker to do that.
It may not seem fancy to you, but it works pretty well for me. Plus, it helps me see how many days am I active on the writing platforms.
Research also says when you use a habit tracker, you’re more likely to stick with a habit because your brain loves visual progress.
Give it a try and you’ll see the results!
6. Editing is a Different Ballgame📝
“To write is human, to edit is divine.” — Stephen King
Writing and editing are like oil and water — they don’t mix. Yet, most writers have the habit of switching between the two.
If you’re also one of them, say NO to this practice ASAP.
When you're writing, just write. Just aim to put all your thoughts onto paper. After you’re done with the writing phase, move to the next step i.e. editing.
Pay attention to formatting, sentence structure, grammatical errors, etc. in this stage.
Use apps like Hemingway or Grammarly to speed up the process.
7. Don’t Skip it❌
Don’t leave the habits that I’ve shared once the ‘honeymoon phase’ is over. Treat them like marriage — a lifelong journey.
Practice them daily without falling into the trap of 21 days.
You may not get success first hand but with time and consistent efforts, you’ll make them a part of yours.
Final Words🩷
Writing 100 articles or 1000 articles isn’t something reserved for elite writers.
You can do it too!
Do these things:
put the right systems in place
develop the right habits
inculcate the right kind of mindset
and most importantly — keep learning.
A quick question for YOU🤔💭
💡 Stuff That Blew My Mind This Week
📕 Book: Currently, I’m reading The 48 Laws of Power. I’ve read three laws so far, and damn—I’m blown away by the writing style and the wisdom this book offers!
🤖 Tool: Headpix AI (it helps you generate high-quality AI avatars and profile pictures)
👀 Content I loved : Are Wireless Headphones Actually Bad for Your Brain?
Until next time,
Stay amazing 💌
Sweta