5 Key Steps to Determine if Your Writing Career Is at a Dead-End

Your friends are lying to you. 

Your writing career is in trouble.

You're stuck, and it's eating you alive.

Stop fooling yourself, and seek the truth.

It's time to face the music…is your writing career dead in the water?

Are You Riding on Old Glories?

Still bragging about that article you wrote two years ago? 

If you're not hitting new milestones, you're stagnating. Stop fooling yourself with past glories.

To assess your progress, list your major writing accomplishments over the past year. If your list is short or filled with old wins, it's time to shake things up. Identify areas where you've grown and areas where you're still treading water.

Here's what to do next: Set new, ambitious goals for your writing career. These should challenge you and push you out of your comfort zone. Break these goals down into actionable steps and start working on them today.

Remember, progress is about moving forward, not standing still.

Boredom Is Your Enemy

Bored with your current projects? 

If what you're working on doesn't light a fire under you, you're just spinning your wheels. Real opportunities should make you sweat.

Take a hard look at your current writing projects. Are they pushing you creatively and professionally? If not, it's time to seek out new opportunities. This might mean pitching more ambitious articles, starting a challenging book project, or collaborating with other writers who inspire you.

For example, if you've been writing the same type of content for years, try exploring a new genre or medium. This could reignite your passion and open up new avenues for growth. 

The key is to continually seek opportunities that stretch your skills and expand your horizons.

Too Polite to Improve?

Are your friends too polite to tell you the truth? 

Get real feedback. If you're not hearing tough love, you're missing the chance to improve. Silence and sugar-coated lies won't help you grow.

To get meaningful feedback, ask mentors, peers, and even critics for their honest opinions. Create a feedback loop where you regularly seek out constructive criticism and use it to refine your craft.

Here's how to start: Approach three trusted colleagues and ask for their bluntest feedback on your recent work. Don't just ask if they liked it - ask what didn't work, what confused them, and where you can improve. 

Use their insights to identify areas for growth and make concrete changes.

Think You're Hot Stuff? Prove It

Think you're killing it? 

Prove it. Measure yourself against the top writers in your field. If you're falling short, it's time to wake up and step up your game.

Identify the leading writers in your niche and analyze their work. What makes their writing stand out? How do they engage their audience? Look at their techniques, their subject matter, and their engagement metrics.

For example, if you're an aspiring memoirist, study the best-selling memoirs of the past decade. Take note of their narrative style, structure, and emotional impact. 

Use these insights to elevate your own writing.

Lost Sight of Your Dreams?

Lost sight of your dreams? 

If your daily grind isn't pushing you towards your ultimate goals, you're off track. Reconnect with your vision and realign your efforts.

Take some time to reflect on why you started writing in the first place. What are your long-term aspirations? Whether it's becoming a best-selling author, inspiring others with your story, or creating a lasting legacy, your daily efforts should align with these goals.

Here's what to do next: Write down your top three writing goals for the next five years. Then, create a plan to achieve them. Break down each goal into smaller, actionable steps and integrate these into your daily routine.

Remember, every word you write should bring you closer to your ultimate vision.

The final word…

Feeling that sting? 

Good. It means you're ready to break out of the rut. But what's your next move?

Here are three steps to get started:

Set Clear, Ambitious Goals: Write down what you want to achieve in the next year. Make these goals specific, measurable, and challenging.

Seek Out New Opportunities: Don't settle for projects that don't excite you. Pitch new ideas, collaborate with others, and explore new genres or mediums.

Create a Feedback Loop: Regularly seek out honest feedback from trusted colleagues and use it to improve your craft.

By taking these steps, you'll transform your writing career from stagnant to thriving. You'll push past your current limitations and discover new heights of creativity and success.

Ready to make a change? Your future self will thank you.