How to Think Yourself into Success as a Copywriter
I realize there is a lot of controversy surrounding the Law of Attraction, which says that your positive thinking can “attract” whatever you want in life, and the film, The Secret, that explains this phenomenon.
But when I watched The Secret, my path to the writer’s life changed forever.
To my surprise, a great deal of the movie, and the belief behind the Law of Attraction, is dedicated to taking action. The “secret” might just be recognizing opportunities, taking advantage of them, and putting in good old-fashioned work. But there’s a catch. In order to get those opportunities to come to you, you have to think positively.
Whether you deny or embrace the power of The Secret and the Law of Attraction, I think we can all agree that positive thinking is much more beneficial than negative thinking.
Positive thinking lifts you up, while negative thinking tears you down. Positive thinking energizes you, while negative thinking makes you want to crawl back into bed.
But doubt, fear, and worry are hard to avoid, so we may need some help training our brain to be positive. Here are 8 ways you can practice positive thinking – even when you don’t feel like it:
1. Recognize negative thoughts and turn them around.
Most of us don’t even realize when we’re thinking negatively. Maybe you’re worrying about your bills or an upcoming doctor’s appointment. You’re not actually thinking “negative” words, so you don’t recognize the effect it’s having on you. But most of the time, you can easily see when negativity has taken hold.
When you have a negative thought, evaluate what you truly know. Are you confusing your fears for facts? Most of the time, we create problems in our head that just aren’t true. For example, are you telling yourself the writer’s life isn’t possible? If so, what evidence do you have? I can show you story after story that proves it is possible on the AWAI Wall of Fame.
Next time you get a negative thought, turn it around. Get the proof you need to convince yourself your negative thought just isn’t true.
The more you think positively, the more it will come naturally, and you’ll find things go more smoothly and you’ll be less worried.
2. Force yourself to think positively about your business for at least 15-20 minutes two times a day.
During this time, only think about how wonderful your business will be once you’ve accomplished your goals. Think about how your life will be when you’re living the writer’s life. Don’t worry about your website or finding clients or what you don’t know. Just focus on the good.
And here’s the key – imagine it as though it’s already happened. Say, “I’m so grateful I’m a well-paid copywriter,” and not, “Someday, I’ll be a well-paid copywriter.” See the difference?
When I first started this, I did my positive thinking in the morning, in the shower, and at night right before I fell asleep. Now I find myself thinking positively all the time. And when a negative thought comes, I stop, refocus, and spend some time thinking about the positive aspects of my business.
3. Read success stories of other people who have been where you are now.
Whenever you’re feeling down and you think you’ll never reach your goals, it’s a good idea to read stories of people who have been where you are and overcame the odds to become successful.
The AWAI Wall of Fame is full of stories like these.
You could also read biographies of famous writers and other people you admire. The goal here is to fill your head with thoughts that you can do anything you set your mind to.
Then you can take this a step further and post positive thoughts, quotes, and success stories where you can see them often. (I have mine on the lock-screen of my phone, and on my computer, fridge, wall, desk, and notebook.)
4. Network with people who are positive about your goals.
Don’t overlook the power of surrounding yourself with positive people. Make a point to call or get together with someone who lifts you up at least once a week.
Also, keep this time all about the positives. Everyone has problems and needs to vent occasionally, but when you’re seeking out positive reinforcement, leave the complaints at the door.
Another thing you can do is to find someone who can help you banish negativity. You should be able to come to them when you’re having negative thoughts and say, “Hey, I’m in a slump today and thinking negatively about my business. I’m not sure if I can do this. Can you help me turn these thoughts around?”
Some of the best places to find inspiration, positive thoughts, and guidance are AWAI’s forums. I’m personally a member of Wealthy Web Writer, The Professional Writers' Alliance, and the Circle of Success forums. These forums are essential to keeping me focused, on track, and positive.
5. Limit the time you spend with those who bring you down.
If there is someone in your life who never has anything positive to say, limit the time you spend with him or her.
I’m not saying to completely cut friends and family out of your life, but consider your goals and how important achieving them is to you. Share your goals with your family and friends, and tell them you need them to be on board and to limit the negative words around you.
Hopefully, they’ll recognize how important positive thinking is to you and they’ll be considerate. If they’re not, make sure any time you spend with them is counteracted with double the amount of positive thinking when you get home.
6. Be grateful for what you have and what you’ve accomplished.
Set aside time each day to be grateful for what you have in your life. Maybe it’s your family, your home, your writing ability, or something else. There are probably hundreds of things. I’ve been a lot more grateful lately, and I’m seeing many positive changes in my life, attitude, and business.
Also, recognize your success, how far you’ve come, and what you’ve already accomplished. Whether it’s completing a module in AWAI’s Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting or getting your freelance website up and running.
Take this a step further and keep a journal of your success and the things you are grateful for. Not only will you have a record of your success, but you’ll also have another opportunity to practice writing every day.
7. Set goals.
You can’t achieve goals … if you don’t set them in the first place. Think about what you want in life and break those “dreams” into yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily goals.
When you begin to think more positively, you’ll also begin to believe in your ability to accomplish your goals. Pursue your goals! Put everything you have into them and never give up.
When you have setbacks, recognize them, but don’t let them stop you. Think positively in spite of any difficulties that may come up. Know that you have it in you to achieve your goals – no matter what.
If you need help setting goals, check out this article: “From Welfare to Billionaire: How One Simple Secret Can Help You Achieve Your Life’s BIGGEST Goals.”
8. Believe in yourself and the knowledge you’re gaining.
As an AWAI member – and reader of The Writer’s Life – you have taken a huge step towards achieving your career goals. You take your success seriously and realize you need help learning all the tricks of the trade. So you should never doubt your growing ability. AWAI has all the tools and resources you need to become a six-figure copywriter and live the writer’s life. You just have to believe you can do it, think positively, and put in some good ol’ fashioned work.
Even you haven’t gone through the program already, I recommend starting with AWAI’s Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting. That’s where I started, as did most of AWAI’s successful copywriters.
Remember, don’t think “Someday, I’ll be a six-figure copywriter.” Instead think, “I am so happy and grateful now that I am a six-figure copywriter.”
You will get there. I believe it and the people at AWAI believe it. But you have to believe it, too.
The Professional Writers’ Alliance
At last, a professional organization that caters to the needs of direct-response industry writers. Find out how membership can change the course of your career. Learn More »
“I now have the freedom to work at home, or at any place in the world, as long as I have a laptop and Internet connection. And, not having to battle the brutal Houston traffic each day is a huge plus!”
If yes, you could be in big demand, earning big money, writing just a few hours a day from anywhere in the world you choose to be.
Get Nick Usborne’s step-by-step system for creating money-making information websites.
In just 6 hours and 35 minutes, you can be in business earning $60 – $150 an hour writing simple resumes.
Learn the secrets behind succeeding in this in-demand career.
The work is plentiful … the pay scales are generous and the competition is scarce!
Get the answers to the hundreds of questions and concerns commonly asked in specific, step-by-step details.
Use this eight-step plan to make the leap from aspiring copywriter to professional copywriter this year.
Let your fellow AWAI members show you firsthand the easiest, most powerful way to land your first client … BEFORE you finish the program.
Writing for the web is a huge opportunity for copywriters. Let web expert Nick Usborne show you how to write blockbuster web copy in record time … even if you're a complete internet “rookie”!
It’s an opportunity to make $50,000, $75,000, $100,000 a year or more … working just a few hours a day.
A once complicated profession is now something you can do on a standard computer – even if you have little or no “artistic” ability.
It’s one thing to have a website. But if your website can’t be found by the search engines, it may as well not exist.
The Internet creates new income possibilities every day. The biggest among them: online video marketing.
Get the very techniques top-performing copywriters use to rattle off one groundbreaking control after another.
In his new book, Michael Masterson teaches you his very own formula for powerful persuasion and how to apply it to direct mail sales letters as well as online promotions.
I like this article. I have a copy of The Secret, long story. I'll need to go look at it again. Still a little skittish about all this, but Bootcamp and interfacing with other AWAI copywriters is giving me confidence I've not had all these years. Thanks!!!
AmyODonnell – September 9, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Christina,
Good stuff. I think the biggest key is to be aware of the fact that the Law of Attraction is always working whether you are aware of it or not. If you are constantly thinking "life is hard"...well, it probably will be.
You have to be intentional about the life you want. And your 8 points will help anyone be more intentional.
Thanks,
Sean
Sean McCool – September 9, 2011 at 4:11 pm
What a great article! I will view it daily to keep me focused.
This week a good friend told me to "Put all your focus on your writing and only think of your day job as spending 8.5 hours to support working towards what you really want."
Roxanne Sumner – September 10, 2011 at 2:52 pm
An excellent article, Christina! You state each of your points in a simple and active way, so that readers can follow and 'do'! It's the doing that's important ... our minds can lead us all over the place, but when we harness those thoughts, focus, and 'get on with it', we are in a better place and things begin to happen.
You also said: "recognize your success, how far you’ve come, and what you’ve already accomplished." Whether it's a lot or a little, we get to our goals one step at a time.
Guest (Ann Jordan-Mills) – September 10, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Great post Christina! You hit all points perfectly! Great Guidance! Keep it up.
Thanks
Guest (Dean Kloter) – September 14, 2011 at 10:02 am
Thank you everyone!
Christina Gillick – September 15, 2011 at 10:16 pm
It's true that things come to you when you need them most. I've had a terrible day in my current job and want so badly to live the writers life. I happened to have this article bookmarked and when I opened my browser today it opened up to this article. It was a perfect time to read this.
I will visit the wall of fame for motivation. I also have The Secret movie downloaded to my iPhone and listen to it often in the car.
Thank you for the article!
Michelle – November 29, 2011 at 8:46 pm