What I Learned from Writing on Note for Three Months: Tips for Consistency

Hello. This is Uiken.

When I published my last article, I received a badge from the platform management.
It has already been three months. Time flies.

My goal in starting to write on note was to get used to writing.
I have disliked writing since I was a child.
I used to pay my younger sister to write my book reports, and I even chose the regular entrance exam over the recommendation exam in high school because I didn't want to write an essay, which made my parents and teachers angry.

On top of that, I am also easily bored; I have a strange personality where I get distracted by new things, quickly get bored and give them up, only to remember them and get hooked again a few years later.

Even someone like me has been able to write and post on note every week.

So, this time, I would like to write about the things I keep in mind to continue writing on note as someone who usually gives up after three days.

Don't worry about the results

The key is not to worry about the reaction after writing.
When it comes to posting on social media, I tend to worry about the number of likes (suki) and followers.

However, I tell myself that those are not the goals this time.

I also shouldn't worry about the articles not being read.
To give you an idea of how unread they are, they are so unread that even an article I accidentally posted with no body text got a like.

Thinking about it only makes me sad, so I decide that "this line of thinking is not useful" and let it go.

(However, I also end up letting go of the effort to increase followers, so that is something to be careful about.)

Ignore the badges

There are badges you get when you post, right?
"First post!" "Posted for X weeks in a row!"
It's nice to receive them.

However, since receiving badges gradually becomes the goal, I ignore these as well.

For example, suppose you give a child a treat every time they clean up.
However, if they stop getting treats when they clean up, they will immediately stop cleaning up.

This is called "extrinsic motivation."

Therefore, even if I get a badge, I try not to pay much attention to it, just thinking, "That's nice."

Take notes

I also take notes on things that come to mind while I'm working.
Since I made it a habit to carry a notebook, I became able to take notes at any time, so I make sure to jot things down as soon as they occur to me.

Use spare time

I use spare time to work on my writing.

・Jot down article content in bullet points
・Write only the title
・Write only the headings
・Proofread for just 5 minutes
・Create a header image

You can work even when your motivation is low.

Keep a record

I make it a point to record in my planner on days when I write even a single character.

Human motivation often follows action, so it's good enough if you can take even a small step.

I write symbols in my planner and look forward to seeing them line up.

Find ways to avoid forgetting

I keep the note app in the dock on my smartphone's home screen.

Since the combo of forgetting to write, feeling guilty, getting stressed, and then giving up is easy to foresee, I keep the note app in a position where I can always see it.

Don't expect too much from yourself

I recognize that I am neither a great literary master nor a complete failure.

I may not be able to write compelling prose yet, but there should be at least one person who will read it.

My writing won't ruin anyone's life.

Even if it feels like I'm just talking to myself, I try to find meaning in the act of writing itself.

Reality doesn't change just by shifting your perspective and thinking, "I should be able to do more!"

For better or worse, my current situation is a reflection of my actual ability.

Don't make detailed plans

This isn't limited to note, but I try not to make detailed plans.

Research results show that making detailed plans can easily lower your level of happiness.

What this means is that if you make plans that are too detailed, you will feel stressed when unexpected things happen and you deviate from your plan.

Something like "I'll just do this much today" is fine.
In reality, you will end up getting more done than that.

Summary

・Don't let results get you down or overly excited
・Write down ideas as soon as they come to you
・Make effective use of spare time
・Don't forget that note exists
・Don't expect too much of yourself

These are the things I keep in mind to continue writing on note.

I will leave this article up even if I stop updating note.

I hope this is helpful to you.