I’m sure most folks are aware of the highly successful, self-help/motivational book titled The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change written by the late Stephen R. Covey. Certainly, most writers know the work because most writers are highly motivated, avid readers who want to be effective. At least we like to think we are. 🙂
Jane Friedman recently published an interesting guest post on her blog written by Joni B. Cole. It’s called The 7 Habits of Highly Ineffective Writers: Powerful Lessons in Personal Sabotage. I felt Ms. Cole made seven great effective, ineffective writing points that (mis) aligned with Covey’s hit. I’m pleased to link it here.
In reviewing Stephen Covey’s original book, he isolated these points:
Habit 1 — Be proactive.
Habit 2 — Begin with the end in mind.
Habit 3 — Put first things first.
Habit 4 — Think win-win.
Habit 5 — Seek first to understand and then be understood.
Habit 6 — Synergize.
Habit 7 — Sharpen the saw.
In Joni Cole’s article, she points out mistakes that writers—emerging and seasoned—repeatedly make. That’s from being overly sensitive to feedback, not having a clear vision, procrastination, wasting time and energy, trying too hard to satisfy, not listening, being too self critical, and over-sharpening the saw.
To quote Cole, “While highly effective people seek a balanced program of self-improvement to renew their edge, highly ineffective writers are determined to make their saws so sharp they inevitably drive themselves right over the edge.”
Kill Zoners — Take a few minutes and read Joni B. Cole’s post on Jane Friedman’s site. Then drop back and leave a comment. Do you see a bit of yourself in this piece? I sure see myself in one spot.
Good morning, Garry. I do indeed see myself in this piece, in particular Step 3. It’s too easy to put other things first first thing in the morning. The good news for me is that my main writing session each day is later, but there is a power to getting in some words first thing. When I’ve done that lately, it’s helped focused me.
I’ve been guilty of some of the things on her list, Garry. Though I don’t agree with ineffective writers “Greet every sunrise with a sense of awe.” Or “help save a bunch of endangered species.” The former falls under self-care, which is important. And the latter drives me to the keyboard to write. It’s where passion and writing intermingle, and why I write eco/environmental thrillers. 😉
Great stuff here, Garry.
Similarly, the highly ineffective writer understands exactly what someone is saying, mostly because they actively put words in the other person’s mouth.
This.Is.Me. 🙁
I learned this skill as a middle-schooler and still practice it every day. Maybe there’s a pill I can take…Big Pharma must have something for me, right?
All kidding aside, this is a great post. Thanks for sharing it.