Freelance writing sometimes feels like embarking on a grueling mountain hike in scorching weather when you haven’t exercised in years and have a wonky left knee and lower back issues.

Trying to ignore the park ranger’s snarky comment about it being “a really intense hike…,” I hit the rocky trail with conviction. But after struggling for a mile, my enthusiasm dissolves. It’s too hard, too hot, too steep. Maybe I’m not fit enough anymore, and a “moderate jaunt” will have to suffice.

But I don’t give up easily. It takes six hours roundtrip on average, and by using simple mind techniques, I complete the hike in five, including a 20-minute summit break. I won’t let injuries, excessive heat, and a ranger’s sardonic smirk keep me from achieving my hiking goals. Similarly, I’m not deterred by cynics who claim it’s too hard to be a writer, so I apply the same process to writing.

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