Q: What are your thoughts on resolutions? How do you continue to stay motivated with or without them?

A writer asks “With all the challenges in the industry and beyond, I am struggling to stay motivated. Since it's still the new year, what are your thoughts on resolutions? How do you continue to stay motivated with or without them? What are some helpful and unhelpful resolutions you’ve made as a writer, especially in this moment of uncertainty?”

It goes without saying that these times are really, really tough. Staying motivated for long periods of time can be difficult when you don’t get to see the fruits of your labor. Can totally relate. For me, I try to connect with what excites me and makes me feel passionate to get to my chair to write. As for resolutions, which I might make at any time of year, I tend to focus on areas I feel I need to grow and think about how those relate to my writing. Last year I wanted to get more in touch with certain inner experiences and translate those into my work in deeper ways. When I made a “resolution” I tried to frame it in terms of actions I could take, rather than outcomes achieved. This way, I knew I could engage with the resolution, but achieving it wasn’t dependent on external factors that were beyond my control. I could dig deeper in my writing and finish a new pilot, without making my resolution success dependent on my reps falling in love with the script, attaching a producer, or selling the show. At a time when so little is about who we are as writers, for me it’s helpful to focus on what is within my control – Mid-level Writer

I can’t speak to new year’s resolutions, but most of the times I’ve pushed myself into a new hobby or job, I’ve found new community, inspiration, and motivation.  - Lower-level TV & Feature Writer

There was a time when I would make resolutions for myself that were career-oriented or more focused on tangible goals related to my writing, but as we enter unpredictable times, I have shifted toward self-care.  I think sometimes it’s about changing your perspective. For me, it was about making sure that I was taking care of myself and my mental health, and that has allowed me to be more creative. I also find that it takes the pressure off of writing the perfect thing. It’s been helpful in trying to fall back in love with writing again - Pre-WGA Writer

In the past I made resolutions without a plan, so I stopped for a while. But this year I resolved to be accountable and write more- even just for myself. I feel better when I am creating, but I lack self-motivation and self-discipline. My plan is to create accountability. Sometimes I hold an open Zoom at the same time a couple of times a week with at least one other person. It’s my Zoom. I have to be there. When I have the funds, I take a writing class with a teacher I respect and a cohort of people whose work and feedback I am genuinely interested in - Pre-WGA Writer