Maintaining Motivation and Discipline throughout the Self-publishing Process
Self-publishing a book is a significant undertaking that demands motivation, discipline, and perseverance. You’re not only writing and editing, but you’re also designing a cover, formatting, and marketing or promoting your work. Self-publishing is not the best route for everyone. You may find self-publishing rewarding if you have multiple books to publish and time (and desire) for learning new things.
Learning anything new can be stressful. Self-publishing can be challenging, but success is possible with the appropriate mindset, tools, and strategies. Setting clear goals, keeping a routine schedule, and seeking accountability and support from a community of writers and authors will help you stay on track throughout your self-publishing experience.
Establish clear goals and objectives for your self-publishing project from the outset.
Yahweh answered me, “Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he who runs may read it. For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hurries toward the end, and won’t prove false. Though it takes time, wait for it; because it will surely come. It won’t delay. (Habakkuk 2:2-3 WEB)
Father God speaks to His children in many different, unique, and beautiful ways. When He commissioned me to write The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Self-Publishing for Christians, He used a coffee mug to impart the vision.
A vision of what you hope to accomplish should be broken into smaller, achievable milestones that keep you on track. The process for writing and self-publishing is relatively simple. It’s a matter of writing, editing, pre-publishing, publishing, and marketing. Yet the progression of this process consists of many micro or baby steps. Setting goals or deadlines for specific tasks like writing, editing, designing, marketing, and so forth – can increase our accountability and aid in making steady progress toward reaching those goals.
Set goals, but also create and stick to a routine for maximum motivation and discipline. Set up a daily or weekly plan that includes time dedicated to writing, editing, researching, or marketing your book. If writing and publishing books is a hobby, take as long as you like. But suppose you view writing and publishing books as a mandate from God or part of your business. In that case, I encourage you to treat self-publishing as a professional commitment by sticking to this schedule as much as possible. Do you have more clarity and focus in the mornings? Training your mind to associate certain times or spaces with work-focused activities is possible. Doing so can increase productivity while decreasing procrastination. Many successful authors recommend writing daily (whether for thirty minutes or a few hours is up to you). I include journaling as part of my daily writing time.
Support and community are integral components of self-publishing. Don’t lock yourself in a room or disconnect from life. Connecting with fellow self-published authors, joining online writing groups, or attending local writer’s workshops can offer invaluable motivation, inspiration, and advice. Sharing progress, exchanging experiences, and seeking feedback from those familiar with the publishing journey can keep you centered when challenges arise. I’ve experienced this first-hand through the Kingdom Scribes 451 community.
Celebrate small victories to keep yourself motivated and disciplined during self-publishing! Self-publishing can be a long process that can easily become discouraging. When this happens, step away from the desk for a while. Refresh your mind and gain clarity by taking a break for a few days. When you return, acknowledge and celebrate each milestone you reach - from completing chapters, reaching word count goals, or receiving positive reader reviews; these celebrations can reinvigorate motivation while reminding you of the progress you’ve made!
Remember to enjoy the journey. Burnout can wreak havoc on motivation and discipline, so practice self-care by taking breaks when needed, engaging in creative activities that refresh you, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. By prioritizing well-being, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to face whatever comes your way.
Maintaining motivation and discipline during writing and self-publishing requires careful planning, perseverance, and an optimistic mindset. By setting clear goals, establishing a routine, seeking support, celebrating small victories, and taking care of yourself, you can keep motivated and focused to achieve success. Accept setbacks with grace while never forgetting why writing matters to you.
Why are you writing this book? Who are you writing to? How will they benefit from reading your story? How will your book fuel your ministry or expand your reach? Keep the answers to these questions in mind as you write, and you might create something extraordinary! All things are possible with God, but it doesn’t hurt to add dedication, discipline, and perseverance to the mix!
