[jdbernard]

This is another one of those articles where some person explains why their interpretation of some aphorism failed to work for them. The problem, of course, is that they are interpreting the advice differently than intended and they are generalizing their personal experience and understanding of their own motivations. People are not all the same. Some of this advice I agree with, but some of the strategies that the author claims have given him success have failed for me.

For example:

the problem is not your productivity, it’s instead that your mind is not yet sold that you know how to succeed with your general goal of becoming a writer.

Convincing my mind that I know how to succeed is not a problem I have. I'm very arrogant and I believe there is nothing I cannot do if I set my mind to it and have adequate time. My problem is that my mind prefers short term satisfaction via diversion rather than the long term reward of hard work. So for me his advice if absolutely backwards. If allow myself to be flexible with when I write/work then I'll never get anything done, because, hey, I can always cram later and get it done. For me, setting up a habit, "Write/do X every day," is good advice. I just need to force myself through the first 10 minutes and then from there I'll get lots done.

Btw, the kernel of truth he is missing from the "write everyday" advice is like others have mentioned: regular practice makes you better. The goal isn't to make forward progress on your one big project everyday, it is to get some form of practice in every day. Write something every day.