Today, I’m going to show you why relying on deadlines might actually be holding you back—and how you can take control of your writing, once and for all.
Are you relying on external deadlines to get your writing done?
Last week, I spoke to a writer who told me she could write 20,000 words within a month when she had a strict deadline. But her novel? Stuck for 2 years because there’s no contract, no urgency, and no submission date. Her frustration was so clear, and I could feel it because I’ve been there too.
When I was a journalist, daily deadlines were my superpower. I thrived under the pressure – at 2pm I clicked “submit” and the newspaper article went into print. But when I transitioned to academia, I lost that structure. Without external deadlines, my PhD dragged on much longer than planned. Worse, I started doubting myself. Was I even a “real” writer if I couldn’t produce regular words?
Does this resonate with you?
Have you ever thought, “If only someone would give me a deadline, I’d get this done”?
Here’s the hard truth: Deadlines are a double-edged sword. They might push you to finish, but they can also disempower you. When you rely on someone else’s timeline, you give away control of your writing. And when there’s no deadline, the procrastination spiral begins.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Write Habit Tip: Break Free From Deadline Dependence
In this week’s episode of The Write Habit Podcast, I talk about how I rewired my own approach to writing—by building habits that work for me, not for someone else’s timeline. Here’s a glimpse at one of the strategies:
• Pick Weekly Priorities: Choose up to three writing goals that matter most to you.
• Break It Down: Turn those goals into small, actionable steps, like drafting a 500-word scene or writing one page of bullet points.
• Schedule It: Block time in your calendar for those specific steps. Instead of writing “work on article,” write “draft introduction paragraph.”
These steps are just part of the bigger system I share on the podcast. It’s about shifting from deadline-driven writing to a sustainable habit that keeps you moving forward—every week, no matter what.
Why This Matters Now
We’re at the start of 2025. Imagine building a system that lets you write with ease, without depending on the pressure of external deadlines. No more waiting for someone else to push you forward.
This is exactly what we work on in my 90-Day Writing Accelerator (Feb 10–May 9). You’ll create your own tailored system, build habits that fit your life, and finally finish that one project you’ve been putting off.
👉 Enrolment closes January 31. Apply now and see if this program is the right fit for you.
Apply here
This is your LAST CHANCE to jump on board.
Your writing doesn’t have to depend on someone else’s timeline. Take back control, build habits that last, and make 2025 the year you finish what truly matters.
Your coach,