Intentional Stress Challenge: Become a Writer

Progressive challenge series focused on developing the skill that is writing. Becoming a writer can offer countless benefits to the practitioner regardless of reason or genre.

This was a guest post on the great and inspirational

Ana Calin

’s Substack a few weeks ago.

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Become a Writer

Writing for the sake of writing can be therapeutic.

Thumbs to screen, fingers to keys, or pen to paper, it doesn’t matter.

Make your mind readable. 

One of the best ways to individually rationalize your thoughts is through writing.

Bill Bowerman famously said, “If you have a body, you’re an athlete.”

If you have a mind, you’re a writer.

There is no better way to reflect than to write. 

Reflective or creative writing has been shown to boost critical thinking, self-awareness, self-expression, stress management, productivity, communication capability, memory, confidence, mood, and resilience. 

The skill of writing, like public speaking, is something I chronically avoided for most of my life. A mental block between the translation of what I wanted to say and putting it on paper was always there. In his already legendary book, The War of Art, Steven Pressfield describes the concept of Resistance. The ever-present force in all of us that works to hold us back, listen to fear, accept excuses, and prevent us from reaching our potential. 

Like any form of resistance, our ability to manage it is done by training.

The skill of writing can be conditioned. 

Intention, focus, and consistency are always the principles for skill development. 

Consciously exert yourself to eventually create subconscious habit and proficiency.

Muscle memory for writing.

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Progressive Challenge Series

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