Why Bother to Write?
Is it time to recalculate this equation?
The #1 reason we don’t “bother” pursuing dreams is we’re not sure if it’s ever going to be worthwhile. Sometimes we even think, Do I deserve that time and focus for something I want? And what if I take the time, but it never pans out?
Is that your experience, too? Why bother? Will it be worth it? Wanna know when your procrastination will give way and you’ll be effortlessly productive again? Researchers have devised a mathematical formula for calculating just how much you’ll procrastinate before you buckle down.
Let’s see. The equation factors are as follows:
- C = how much you desire COMPLETION (i.e. your level of motivation)
- S = your expectation of SUCCESS
- V = VALUE to you/your life
- I = IMMEDIACY of need
- D = Your own sensitivity to DELAY (i.e. are you a last-minute person? or a get it done right away kind of person?)
The magic formula is C = S x V / I x D
COMPLETION = SUCCESS x VALUE/IMMEDIACY x DELAY
So, if COMPLETION is your goal on your book or screenplay, but it keeps not happening, what’s the fix? If your current formula isn’t feeling “magic” and completion does not seem attainable, you can change the equation.
Look at any one factor and try to up its influence on your decision write or not to write. If two factors SUCCESS AND VALUE are increased, it will change their ratio to IMMEDIACY and DELAY and change your chances of completion.
Let’s look at each of the factors and how you might change them.
- C = Change your motivation.
- You could establish a routine so you can mark off small accomplishments regularly.
- You could recruit support — a friend with whom you write, an editor or beta reader waiting for your weekly output.
- You can join a writing group for support and accountability.
- S = Increase your odds at SUCCESS
- Success and value are the top two factors for completion, in the formula. It is highly important that you find the value of writing and can visualize finishing the work.
- When “being” an author seems too far off, “doing” author-like things can help. Writing begets writing and a sense of success, and thereby increases the chances for completion.
- Writers love craft classes and workshops so they can see improvement and change in momentum — also upping their success factor in the formula.
- V = Find its VALUE in your life
- There’s a reason a million business books get written by people who hate to write. Why can they finish? The value of that book in their business is clear.
- You may have a writing topic that is closer to your heart, and perhaps less commercially viable. How can you assess its value to you?
- Does writing give your life meaning, center your day, make your day feel like your day?
- Does writing this topic or theme flesh out your thoughts or voice on the topic?
- I = Find the IMMEDIACY
- Well, no one needs a bestseller. Especially when your boss needs a report, your kids need dinner, your souse needs attention, your house is a mess…
- There’s a hierarchy of needs that may not let the urgency you feel about wanting to write rise to the top.
- There’s a question of “deserving” the time to do something that may never be of immediate need. Writing may feel selfish.
- In the beginning writing may even be selfish — something you want and need. By the time you’re writing a book or screenplay, it is not selfish. It becomes a service to the (potential) readers and viewers. Was Norman Lear selfish to write “All in the Family” or “One Day at a Time?”
- D = Your DELAY profile
- Be aware of your style. Are you a last-minute person? Or a get it done right away kind of person? Both relationships to time can hinder your ability to finish things in a satisfying way.
- Are you a Late person or an On Time person?
- A Latie thinks way more can be done in a period of time than is possible. An On-Timie metes out time carefully and may not consider late an option, so by definition is often early, and there for wastes some time.
- Writing a book may feel impossible to an On-Timie who has a schedule to adhere to. And to a Latie, it may feel always possible, thinking I’ll get to it very soon.
And voila, you’re feeling it, it’s flowing and you’re going!
What changes make the most sense to you? How can you refactor your chances at success and completion in your life and circumstances?
