Types of Accountability
In case you missed my last productivity post, I discussed setting creative goals and Gretchen Rubin’s analysis (in her book, The Four Tendencies) of how people handle internal and external expectations. To recap, some people do well with quietly setting internal goals. Others do better with the pressure of meeting external deadlines. A smaller percentage rebel against expectations in general. (You can take her quick quiz for the price of your email address if you're not sure which category might best fit.)
In case you missed my last productivity post, I discussed setting creative goals and Gretchen Rubin’s analysis (in her book, The Four Tendencies) of how people handle internal and external expectations. To recap, some people do well with quietly setting internal goals. Others do better with the pressure of meeting external deadlines. A smaller percentage rebel against expectations in general. (You can take her quick quiz for the price of your email address if you're not sure which category might best fit.)
Five Ways to Use Accountability for Motivation
How can writers use the idea of accountability (meeting internal/external expectations) to stay on track with creative goals and increase productivity?
Here are a few ways:
Here are a few ways:
- Mention your goals publicly— through your website, for example, or by taking part in Camp NaNoWriMo which runs every April. (It’s not too late for this! You can set word count or time goals for the month.)
- Make a promise to yourself. For example, write a letter outlining what you want to accomplish and why. It can be for your eyes only.
- Declare goals to an accountability partner. I’m sending end-of-day emails Monday through Friday to a dear writer friend with my revision progress. Having to admit it to her if I don't achieve my goal adds another level of motivation.
- If the idea of accountability is de-motivating, (Rubin’s “rebel” category), consider leaning into your identity as a writer. You might remind yourself, “I’m the kind of person who can complete a manuscript if I want to,” and set appropriate goals in that way.
- Play with a productivity app. Habitica, for example, lets you set easy, medium, and hard tasks, and success leads to pet eggs and potions to hatch them. You can join forces with other users on quests, which also helps to hold you accountable, because if you don’t complete a goal the health of your team suffers. Another app, Forest, increases focus by growing virtual trees if you work for a set time. (I downloaded the app and planted my first tree composing this post!)
IWSG Blog Hop
Every month, the Insecure Writers Support Group hosts a blog hop with an optional question. Special thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for creating IWSG (and congrats on his latest book, CassaDark) and appreciation to this month’s blog co-hosts: Joylene Nowell Butler, Jemima Pett, Patricia Josephine, Louise - Fundy Blue, and Kim Lajevardi. This months question: Have any of your books been made into audio books? If so, what is the main challenge in producing an audiobook?
Every month, the Insecure Writers Support Group hosts a blog hop with an optional question. Special thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for creating IWSG (and congrats on his latest book, CassaDark) and appreciation to this month’s blog co-hosts: Joylene Nowell Butler, Jemima Pett, Patricia Josephine, Louise - Fundy Blue, and Kim Lajevardi. This months question: Have any of your books been made into audio books? If so, what is the main challenge in producing an audiobook?
Pandemic was made into an audiobook and narrated by Monika Smith. Since the process was done through Audible, I didn’t have any challenges in the process.
One Last Thing
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. To raise funds through #WritersforHope, I’m donating a Pandemic “Book Club Bundle” (eight signed paperbacks and a zoom visit). Bid through April 8th and check out all the other awesome items available!
Best of luck to everyone who set April goals of blogging from A to Z! Share your monthly theme (or other goals) in the comments.
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