Stop Overthinking and Start Landing Writing Jobs
When I first started freelance writing, I knew I had to build authority, so I decided to get published on a beginner-friendly website.
But getting published in the right one? That feels even harder. I burned out from having too many options, too much to read, and too much to do; honestly, it’s exhausting to sift through all these tasks.
I was despairing about taking action—Just one email—and one positive response—could change everything.
But why can’t I get this done? Why do I feel stuck? Why do I waste time on things that don’t bring me closer to landing a job?
If you have the same question, guess what? It’s normal to feel stuck sometimes. However, you need to work smarter to avoid burnout and stay consistent.
Building authority, especially as a beginner, can feel overwhelming and stressful because you should acquire many skills.
These skills, such as networking and modifying your resume for each application, may seem irrelevant to your goal.
However, spending time on things that don’t seem to push you forward immediately doesn’t mean you’re not making progress.
Even the most minor steps count. Every action you take builds confidence and brings you closer to landing that first client. Focusing on just one manageable task at a time can make all the difference.
But what’s holding you back isn’t the lack of opportunities—it’s the fear of rejection, perfectionism, and uncertainty. Here’s how to push through, start making real progress, and finally figure out how to get published as a health writer.
Stop Researching—Pick 3 Websites and Submit Today
Instead of too much searching, choose three beginner websites and submit your proposal. Hick’s law suggests that too much choice could result in decision fatigue which makes you paralyzed and stuck!
Additionally, choice overload decreases one’s ability to make a good decision and satisfaction with the final decision.
How to Make Nothing out of Nothing is a study that shows that making decisions drains one’s willpower, which is like one’s physical power but invisible.
If you want to run for one hundred miles, you will run fast at the beginning, but later on, you will be very slow, and your muscles will tire. The same goes for decisions; if they strain your mind, you will become mentally fatigued.
So save time and effort, submit your blog today—even if it’s not perfect. Progress beats perfection.
Chase Small Wins (Not Perfection)
Did you know that scientists, programmers, and anyone else who performs work that requires productivity have something in common that ignites their emotions, fuels their motivation, and triggers their perceptions?
Researchers show that small wins activate the reward center in the brain, giving one the power to keep going and a sense of satisfaction(Harvard Business Review).
I usually underestimate the power of small wins, like publishing a blog that provides value, receiving positive feedback, or anything that doesn’t seem to get me close.
I was eager for big wins, like seeing my website ranking high on Google or getting paid, but I found that frequent small wins mean frequent long-term significant wins.
Why Small Wins Matter:
- Small wins bring momentum that makes you keep going and build your confidence subsequently.
- Small wins build credibility; when you publish an authentic blog, you give social proof to paid clients.
- Small wins reduce stress and burnout; you don’t need perfection to move forward; you need progress.
Instead of chasing a big break, set a goal to get one ‘yes’ for a guest post by breaking your steps into small wins.
Reframe Rejection—It’s Proof of Progress
We naturally see rejection as a sign of failure, but is it true? What if your rejection is proof of progress? It doesn’t make sense, right?
A study followed researchers whose project proposals were turned down early in their careers. After ten years, the results showed that those who kept trying did better over time and produced more impactful research.
This finding doesn’t only mean they succeed because they remain consistent; it also reflects growth through rejection and setbacks.
So rejection could predict success, but only if you persist and remain resilient. Don’t fear rejection; embrace it and know deep down that every “no” means you are close. It’s your future success indicator.
Additionally, instead of avoiding rejection, reward yourself for each attempt; sometimes, rejections don’t mean you aren’t qualified for the job; they could mean you didn’t match the requirements.
However, you should track your submissions, look for weaker points, and, most importantly, learn from your mistakes. It’s unrealistic to accept rejection without taking action!
To take action, start by creating SMART goals:
- S – Specific → Clearly define what you want to achieve.
- M – Measurable → Ensure you can track progress and results.
- A – Achievable → Set a goal that is challenging yet realistic.
- R – Relevant → Align the goal with your more significant objectives.
- T – Time-bound → Set a deadline to stay accountable.
For example, I will submit 100 high-quality pitches/articles in the next 90 days, track my progress, and refine my approach based on feedback—turning rejection into a stepping stone for success.
Thus, you will be action-oriented, knowing precisely what you want. This will bring momentum and help you understand what to improve. Also, you will become more skillful, and your fear of rejection will decrease.
To sum up, you are feeling stuck because you are overthinking and self-doubting, and you have too many choices without a clear plan, leading to mental fatigue and being inactive.
You see rejection as a failure; instead, take rejection as proof of progress, track your rejection, and learn from your mistakes.
The solution is simple: adapt to the mindset of little progress, small wins that bring momentum, and stay consistent.
Create smart goals, be accountable, and remember progress is not to stay persistent; instead, every action—even rejection—proves you’re moving forward.