How to be successful? This very important subject is raised in the mass of posts and books. But people do not cease writing more and more new ones, and each time they have something to add. Each writer makes a contribution based on his/her own experience. The same rule works in different ways for different people; everyone has their own point of view and the angle at which the rule is interpreted. Stephen King is one of the greatest writers who expresses his thoughts so clearly that the picture comes alive, and while reading his book you may think you are watching a movie.
In his book “On Writing”, Stephen King talks about his work, about how you can become a professional in your field. These tips are applicable not only to writing books. Many of them are versatile.
1. Do what you love
This could be paraphrased as “love your work” because in times of crisis any work is good. With this phrase, the writer has expressed more than just a positive attitude to work.
For him, doing nothing seems to be true work. Writing is like having a rest; for Stephen King it is a game…
This rule is found everywhere, but it is also the most difficult one to follow. That is, you need to move on until your work becomes recreation for you. If you realize this, of course. Let me remind you that most of us work 5-6, and sometimes 7 days a week, and if the work turns into hard labor, life will also turn into tiresome, hard labor.
2. Practice, practice, practice
In order to succeed, you need a lot of practice in your field. The well-known advice to study, which used to be hammered into our heads, does not always come in handy. The theory is good, but practice is the main thing! And if you enjoy the process of work, a lot of practice will only bring you more fun and more fruitful results.
3. Be serious
Only if you are serious about the work and the results, you can achieve success. Some people who like their work treat it as a hobby. Eventually, it still remains a hobby, without leading to serious results. But success is achieved only by those who approach the issue of work seriously.
4. Ignore the skeptics
If you write, someone is sure to be trying to make you feel like a loser.
Skeptics have always been an integral part of life, it is a fact. There will always be people who will reduce your ideas to nothing. Trying to convince such people is useless. Therefore, instead of wasting your precious energy on them, just ignore them.
5. Get support
Each person needs someone who will believe in the success of the business and will provide the necessary support. When there is someone who believes in you more than yourself, you will definitely succeed.
6. Treat work as if it were your life
Do you want to become an ace in your field? Fill your life with what you do.
7. Be consistent
Stephen King likes to write 10 pages a day, each about 2 000 words. Only under extreme circumstances can he afford to shut down the computer before he writes 2000 words.
There is a good rule that is suitable for any kind of work. Set yourself the rule to perform not less than a certain amount each day.
8. Study the work of others
By learning how your colleagues work and especially by watching the people who have been successful in your industry, you learn from their positive experiences. This also can be attributed to “learning from the mistakes of others.”
9. Study the market
In addition to studying the work of your colleagues, you must also follow the developments and innovations that are taking place in your field. Buy magazines, sign up for special editions. Keep your finger on the pulse.
10. Look for new ideas
Your work does not consist in the search itself. The most important thing here is to recognize new ideas when you come across them. Keep your eyes wide open and train your mind to notice everything new.
11. Save dynamics
If you “catch the wave”, do not stop until you’re done! You will cope in the same breath. It is important to remember that whenever you stop, you risk losing your theme, and regaining the same state would be difficult.
12. Write your first draft as soon as possible
Do not try to be perfect at work immediately. Jot down at least the first draft of your work and only then adjust it.
13. Get rid of unnecessary details
This point really must follow the twelfth one. That is, after your first draft is ready, you can complement and transform it into the final one. But there should be more time to review everything and get rid of unnecessary details that only overload the project (the book, the presentation, the building).
14. Be your first customer
When you are the author of any accomplished work, it is very difficult to look at it from a different angle, the angle of the customer. But it’s very important because then you will be able to notice mistakes and correct them before they get to the real buyer. Self-criticism is pretty good. The main thing is to be aware of the limits.
15. Work not for the money
Money is a poor motivation. It forces you to ignore the voice of the heart, and you can live someone else’s life instead of your own one.
16. Do business with pleasure
If you do your job with pleasure, it not only helps you pass the hard way to success, but also makes your life meaningful.
17. Do it for enriching yourself and others
Writing is not a way to earn a lot of money or to become famous… It’s about enriching the lives of those who read your work, as well as enriching your own life.
If you have a life that enriches (spiritually, of course) the lives of the people around you, then you live a great life.
