On your journey to becoming a sought-after writer, there is a need for clarity. I struggled with it at first. I remember teaching a topic, and I got so confused that I ended up not selling a thing because I didn’t even understand what I was teaching again, but that is no longer the case now because I have been able to understand my message and who I serve.
Have you ever registered for training only to realise after some years that you didn’t understand because the information was too high for your intellectual capacity? You might even go for the course again to gain a better understanding. Do you know why this is the case? Clarity is progressive.
I remember when I wrote my thesis in school. I struggled to write it. Recently, I ghost-wrote a thesis, and I discovered thesis writing isn’t exceptionally hard if you know what you are doing and understand your message. Hence, on your journey to attract money as a writer, you must understand your message and be able to communicate it right.
I often share this clarity litmus test with my writing school students. Make sure you carry out the test and be very honest with yourself. Gaining clarity on these is the bedrock to becoming a money-magnet writer.
THE MONEY MAGNET WRITER CLARITY TEST
1. WHO DO I WANT TO BECOME?
Get a pen and a notepad and write your answer. Understanding who you want to become will help you know what you are to do and what not. We have a lot of confused youth around. You must move away from that confusion. If you know it already, still write it, please.
Just in 1 sentence, and that will be your vision statement.
This is how:
- What do I want to become?
- Which unique quality do I have to become what I want to become?
- What kind of world do I see at the end?
Don’t look at your present skill if you don’t have it yet. Instead, write the one you aim to have.
My answer
- I want to become a well-known self-help book ghostwriter.…
- Using my ability to spot a story in everyone…
- To make sure people earn, make an impact, and influence through their stories and expertise.
Then in one statement, we have…
I want to become a well-known self-help book ghostwriter using my ability to spot a story in everyone to make sure people earn, make an impact, and influence through their stories and expertise.
Don’t skip this test. Make sure you write it in your notepad. You are not showing anyone.
2. WHY DO I WANT TO BECOME THIS?
Your why is very important. I want to become a money-magnet writer so I can live comfortably, sponsor my vision, and work with great flexibility.
Your own might be, “I want to be an exceptional writer so that I can change the world around me.” Whatever it is, make sure you write it down.
3) WHEN DO I WANT TO BECOME THIS?
You must have been told to set measurable goals. Everyone has goals, but a goal that is not timed will remain where it is. Maybe this is why you haven’t been achieving your goals. ADD A TIMELINE.
I want to become so and so in the next three months. Then, in six months, I want to increase my reach by posting a live video on Facebook on Monday.
That is a goal with a timeline. This will help you. Be time conscious
4) WHERE DO I NEED TO BE TO ACHIEVE THIS?
Your location determines a lot. Location isn’t only physical. It could be mental, spiritual, and all. So, ask yourself what capacity should you build to be where you should be.
What comfort zone habit should you throw away? If you can answer these things, they will guide you through life. If you don’t know your bearing, you can’t LEAD. No client will even know you.
What version of you will a client be willing to pay? What version of you will people be willing to follow? To upgrade to that person, you must first identify what it is and the strategic plans to implement. Many people have visions, but only a few have a plan, be among the few. You cannot give what you do not have.
5) HOW WILL I ACHIEVE THIS AIM TO BECOME?
This is a question of the things you need to put in place. Action steps. Atomic action steps. Habits make a man, not goals.
I want to become A; I will do B and C daily and D weekly to push me to achieve that goal.
Mine: I want to become a high-ticket commanding ghostwriter. I will write and prospect daily and report to my accountability team weekly to push me to achieve that goal.
If your goal looks big, divide it into chunks you can achieve daily and weekly.
6) WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE HINDRANCE TO BECOMING THIS?
Picture the obstacles. I know you want to be as positive as possible, but you can’t escape it. It could be as little as feeling drained after the day at work.
Write down the obstacles and write out how you will overcome them. Take your time to think about this. Envisioning obstacles has helped me be a better planner because I often have solutions in place.
If you can take some hours off to be with yourself, please take it.
7) WHO DO I NEED ON THIS JOURNEY WITH ME (INFORMATION CENTRE)?
Do you want to be a great writer? Who do you need a mentor? Who are those you need to be in their circle? You must leverage mentorship and friendship. Identify those who have gone ahead of you in your industry and follow them doggedly to learn from their mistakes and errors.
Some time ago, I paid 5-figure for a 30-minute call session to get information from a respected writer. Why? I needed that information on my journey to becoming a great writer and building my writing business.
Be ready to give it your all. You are the only one that can decide what becomes of you. Choose to take control over what is in your control.
Clarity is possible; chase it. Make sure you answer all those questions before moving to the next stage.