Five Things to Make the Writer’s Life Happen
By Sean McCool

Sean McCool here again, sharing thoughts about the writer’s life and what it really means to me.

It’s been three and a half years since I dove headlong into the writer’s life. Looking back, I’d have to point to five things I did (and still do) that made it all happen.

If you are serious about living the writer’s life, then I believe you should do them too.

1. Say Yes to Life.

“Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.”

– Henry James

Saying yes to life brings positive energy and allows wonderful blessings to come to you. Say yes to opportunity and success. Say yes to a life that you live by your standards. Say yes to making your own decisions and not seeking approval of others. Say yes to a fulfilling and rewarding writing career. Say yes to a promising future. Say yes to living without guilt, resentment, or regrets. Just say yes.

2. Love Yourself and Others Unconditionally.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs …”

When was the last time you loved without hesitation or caution? Free yourself from unrealistic expectations and accept yourself for who you are right now. Then it will be easier to accept others for who they are. Do not expect your needs and wants to be fulfilled by someone else. Allow yourself to love and be loved. In other words, be open – vulnerable even. Let your emotions come to the surface a little more often. I remember copywriter Ted Nicholas told me once, “If you can cry, you can write.”

3. Take Risks.

“There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

Everything in life involves a risk. I moved my family nearly 600 miles, sold half of what we owned, and took a pay cut to jump-start my copywriting career. Was I afraid? Absolutely.

But you can’t let fear of rejection and failure dictate your life. Take chances and free yourself from limiting beliefs. You’ll be far more successful far sooner than you ever expected if you just make the leap.

4. Make the Impossible Possible.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

Think your big dreams can’t come true? Go for them anyway. Be excited about your future. Find and release your untapped talents. Believe in your abilities and discover what you have to offer the world. Think about all the things you think you can’t do and try to do them anyway … you’ll be surprised by how wrong you were.

Motivate yourself by thinking back to a time when a task was difficult and you were able to overcome the challenge.

Living a “safe” life doesn’t help you gain anything.

5. Make Your Life Really Count.

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”

What’s your legacy? How do you want to be remembered? You were uniquely created to make a contribution to the world. It is your right and obligation to make your mark. Share your message with the world. Thinking and staying small will not get you where you need to be in life … and it won’t help those that need to hear your unique message either.

Surround yourself with people who are supportive, positive, and encouraging. Show appreciation and gratitude to those around you. Above all, live life.

I know all this sounds very motivational and fluffy. But there’s a reason these ideas have been around so long … they’re true. You may not believe it now. That’s okay. Take these five steps anyway; you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Before you know it, you’ll be telling others to follow your example.

And when you do, share with me by posting a comment below.