A common problem among writers is that we often do not prepare. We tend to look at writing as a mainly creative endeavor, instead of viewing it as a project that should be managed.  

In practical terms, this means you need to plan in three different ways if you are going to be successful in writing. 

First, you must prepare by having a great mindset. This means expecting that you will be successful and anticipating that people will benefit from your content. So many times, we lose the battle even before we begin, because we have a negative mindset. 

Second, you must prepare by outlining your writing. If you have an idea of the flow of your writing before you get started, it will go much, much faster. This doesn’t mean you can’t change your outline along the way. That is to be expected. But if you sit down without any clue what you’re going to write about, it will typically take much longer to finish. 

Third, you must prepare by saying “no” to distractions. This means shutting off your phone notifications, going somewhere quiet, if possible, and blocking out time on your calendar to write. 

Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” 

Success in writing is not complicated. We just need to take these few steps to help ensure that we will be successful. When we do that, we will be preparing to succeed, instead of preparing to fail.