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10 Things Mentally Superior Freelance Writers Do

Caution: Following these principles could lead to massive success

By Rick MartinezPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
Photo by Leonid Shaydulin on Unsplash

While many folks are striving to succeed as freelance writers, it takes a special kind of writer to reach new heights.

It's more than just perseverance, attitude, or even blind luck. It's a set of skills and learned behaviors. Here are 10 things that mentally superior freelance writers do.

They don't expect immediate results

Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a successful freelance writing career.

It takes time, patience, and a whole lot of hard work. The best way to guarantee success is to continuously show up and do the work, even when you don't feel like it.

Overnight success is rare, so it's essential to set expectations accordingly.

They stay organized and focused

A clear mind leads to clear writing.

If your thoughts are all over the place, they will show in your work. That's why the best freelance writers know how to stay organized and focused on the task at hand.

By keeping a clear head and staying on task, mentally superior freelance writers can maintain their productivity levels and meet deadlines without fail.

They set boundaries with clients and stick to them

When you're your own boss, it's easy to get taken advantage of by demanding clients.

But the best freelance writers know how to set boundaries and stick to them. This protects not only their time and energy but also their sanity.

When you know your worth and stick to your guns, clients will respect you more (and be more likely to give you repeat business).

They're not afraid to say no

Just because you're a freelancer doesn't mean you have to say yes to every single project that comes your way.

If you're not comfortable with a project or don't have the time for it, it's perfectly okay to say no. In fact, it's better to pass on a project than try to half-ass it and end up disappointing everyone involved.

They know how to market themselves

In order to be successful as a freelancer, you must be good at self-promotion.

You need to be able to sell yourself and your skillset to land jobs. The best writers know how to put their best foot forward and market themselves effectively.

Whether through social media, content marketing, or good old-fashioned networking, these freelancers know how important it is to get their name out there.

They're always learning and growing

The moment you stop growing is the moment you start dying, which is why the best freelancers are always learning new things.

They're constantly reading new books, taking new classes, and trying new things to improve their skillset. This helps them stay ahead of the curve and maintain a high level of quality in their work.

They don't waste time feeling sorry for themselves

Successful people know that self-pity is a wasted emotion.

Instead of wallowing in what they don't have, they focus on what they can do to attain their goals. Feeling sorry for yourself will only hold you back; it won't get you anywhere.

Use rejections and failures as motivation to work even harder towards their goals.

They don't shy away from change

Change can be scary, but it's also necessary for growth.

Rather than backing away from change, they embrace it and rise to the challenge of learning new skills and behaviors. The best writers are adaptable and willing to try new things instead of staying stuck in their comfort zones. These mentally superior writers don't fear change - instead, they use it as an opportunity to grow even more proficient.

By combining these traits with their commitment to hard work, these savvy freelancers are bound for success.

They don't resent another writer's success

Jealousy is an ugly emotion that does nothing but holds you back from achieving your own success.

Instead of resenting other writers' success, the best freelance writers focus on their journey and celebrate others' milestones as motivation to keep going. These writers demonstrate their mental superiority by focusing on their journey and recognizing others' milestones as motivation rather than competition. They are poised to reach untold heights in their professional writing careers.

They don't give up after rejection

Rejection is part of being a writer, but that doesn't mean it feels any less painful.

Mentally superior freelance writers know how to pick themselves up after getting knocked down by rejection and keep going until they achieve their goals. Success is always attainable as long as you don't give up.

The key to unlocking a mental advantage over other writers comes from having the confidence and strength to keep striving even when times are tough.

The final word

If you want to succeed as a freelance writer, it takes more than perseverance or talent. It takes mental strength and resilience.

By incorporating these 10 behaviors into your daily routine, you'll be one step closer to becoming the best writer you can be.

Join our merry band of Outlaw Writers. For the creators who are tired of playing by the same old boring writing rules. (We create our own)

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About the Creator

Rick Martinez

* Professional Ghostwriter

* USA Today Bestselling Author

* Helping First-Time Authors Craft Non-Fiction Masterpieces

* Helping folks (just like you) realize their dream of writing their book

California born, Texas raised.

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