NicoleHave you ever wished you could tap into free, always available guidance on your writing?
Enter your Future Self.
Imagine how much faster and more efficiently you could write if your Future Self, an older, wiser version of you could cheer you on, warn you of pitfalls, and set better goals with you.
Today, I’m going to teach you how connecting with your future self can help you set writing goals, stay productive, and ultimately write faster.
Most writers often get stuck in procrastination or overwhelm when faced with a large writing project. They dive in without a plan, thinking they can fix it later, but this often leads to wasted time and frustration.
But when you write with your future self in mind, you’ll not only write faster but also with more clarity and purpose.
Stop hoping for the best. Use the Future Self to write faster.
I’m doing a similar exercise with the writers on my 90-Day Writing Accelerator that’s started.
Here are 3 simple steps for you to try it as well.
Step 1: Use Your Future Self to Set Writing Goals
The first step to writing faster is to set goals that your future self will be thankful for.
Instead of diving into a project, or trying to clear all tasks on your list, take a moment to think about the end result.
What would your future self want to have accomplished by the end of the day or week, or year? I call these “Future Self” goals – those that will help you make a change in your life!
Prompt: Ask yourself, “What will my Future Self need to have written today to feel confident tomorrow / at the end of this week / end of this year?”
Step 2: Break Down Tasks with Your Future Self in Mind
Writing can feel overwhelming, especially with big projects. But instead of tackling everything at once, break it down into manageable chunks. Your Future Self knows the importance of small wins to build momentum.
In fact, each time you tick off a small task (e.g. write 200 words), you give your self evidence that you’re turning into your Future Self, a productive writer!
Plus, whatever you finish, you take off your Future Self’s plate – a nice gift to Future You!
Prompt: Ask, “If I want my Future Self to feel less stressed, what small, manageable tasks can I accomplish today to reduce the workload tomorrow?”
Step 3: Reflect With Your Future Self
After each writing session, reflection is key to improving your process. What worked, and what didn’t?
Your Future Self can provide the clarity you need to make adjustments, refine your writing process process, and write faster next time.
Prompt: “If you told your Future Self about how your writing week went, what would they suggest you to improve?”
When you practice the Future Self method, you can make a massive mindset shift and finish your book, article, or other writing project faster!
And if you want to make sure your writing moves forward, consider investing in The Write Habit Planner which helps you set “Future Self” goals, break them down, slot them in and reflect.
Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash
