[I wrote this post as a member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our worries and also offer support and encouragement to each other on the first Wednesday of every month. If you’re a writer like me and you’re looking for a bit of support, you can click the link and sign up here]

This month’s awesome hosts are:

Tonja Drecker, Diane Burton, MJ Fifield, Rebecca Douglass

Thank you so much! And thank you founder Alex J. Cavanaugh!

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Motivation is an interesting thing. In my direct observation, we tend to have one thing that really matters to us to get us moving and committed to a process. This one thing seems to differ from person to person.

Take for instance potty training.

I have two small children. I started each of them around the same time in their lives, right after they turned two. It started with a goal and a start date. I developed a method which tended to switch rapidly due to an unsuccessful outcome. The routine mattered. But what mattered the most seemed to identify with what each child cared about in order to complete the goal. My son has always been the cautious one. If someone is moving too fast, he’ll tell you to belt up, helmet on and be careful. Rewards work best for him and also knowing he’s helping and not hurting a process.

My daughter on the other hand hears things and understands them. She’s quick to tell you her way and not abide by yours. She has a different set of motivational standards and I had to work a whole new angle, the social group aspect. Everyone in class is already using the potty. Use your buddy and help each other be dry and clean all day long.

In the end the social aspect of working together won, whether it was an independent effort with a group goal or an all out group centered approach, sometimes having the extra accountability might make you set that alarm extra early, roll out of bed, and get what you need to do, even if it’s a small step done.

This month’s IWSG question asks: “Win or not, do you usually finish your NaNo project? Have any of them gone on to be published?”

NaNo is a wonderful thing whether you work best independently with group focused goals, or socially networking the entire deadline committed to a process. I personally, have never taken part in it. I probably never will. But from what I understand it helps support success with the following aspects:

• Set that Start Date. Turn off the research and write.
• Define the End Date. When do I need to complete a draft? When do I stop fussing over detail and sentence craft and declare it done?
• Word Count. How much do I need to write each day? With a hefty start and end date set, word counts seem to be easy to calculate. The next thing to consider is the level of commitment you have to prioritize and get it done.
• Finally, Group Support. There is a huge network of other writers out there all working to meet the same goals. You’re never alone. And as a writer, I think it’s easy to feel like we are.

So no matter what, if you are or aren’t a participant this year, you’ve probably come up with your own set of motivational tasks to get things done. Mine? Passion, determination and my really great writing partner keeps me focused.

How about you? What gets you up and helps you meet your goals?

Lastly, I leave you with this:

Have a lovely rest of your day 🙂