3 Ways to Be Successful as an Author (and in Any Area of Life)

There’s this idea that success is mysterious.

That some people are just more disciplined. More talented. More motivated. More lucky.

But after running my own business for years, and working with authors who are building theirs, I’ve realized something much less flashy and much more freeing:

Success is rarely about intensity.
It’s about clarity and consistency.

And the older I get, the more I see that the same principles apply whether you’re writing a novel, growing a business, training for a race, or simply trying to build a life that feels aligned.

Here are three things that have changed everything for me.

1. Have a Plan (Even a Simple One)

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a business owner is this: you need a plan.

Not a 10-year master strategy. Not a laminated life blueprint.

Just… direction.

When you rush into things without clarity, you can waste so much time. You move fast, but you don’t move forward. You post randomly. You try every new idea. You pivot before you’ve given anything time to work. And at the end of the month, you’re exhausted with very little to show for it. ( I know the feeling because I’ve been there.)

That kind of chaos is fun on an impromptu road trip.

It is not fun when you’re trying to build a sustainable author career.

Life changes quickly. The internet changes even faster. Trends shift. Algorithms update. What worked six months ago might not work now. So no, I don’t believe in rigid long-term plans.

But I deeply believe in knowing what you’re working toward this season.

What are you building?
What matters most right now?
What are you saying yes to and what are you intentionally ignoring? Yep. I said ignore, because I have learned the hard way, you can’t be everywhere doing everything.

Clarity removes so much unnecessary overwhelm.

2. Work in 12-Week Sprints

Planning is powerful. But execution is where most of us struggle.

At the end of last year, I started using the 12 Week Year method and I can honestly say it’s been one of the most energizing shifts I’ve made.

The idea is simple… instead of thinking in 12-month timelines, you narrow your focus into 12-week sprints. You choose a few meaningful goals. You track your progress weekly. You stay committed for a defined period of time.

GAME CHANGER!

Something magical happened for me.

My brain stays engaged. I was excited to seem progress, and things grew one day at a time.

When a goal feels endless, it’s easy to drift. But when you know you’re in a 12-week window, you show up differently. There’s urgency, but not in a “the house is on fire” panic. Focus, but not burnout.

I’ve used this approach in my business and in my fitness goals, and it has helped me stack consistency in a way I never had before. Not perfectly. Not obsessively. Just steadily.

One day at a time.

That’s where real progress comes to life!

3. Regulate Your Nervous System (So You Can Actually Think)

This one might sound trendy. But I promise, it’s really, really foundational.

If your nervous system is constantly in fight-or-flight, you cannot make clear decisions. You cannot access your best creative thinking. You cannot build something sustainable.

You can hustle in that state.
You can survive in that state.
But you cannot thrive in it.

For a long time, I treated movement and self-care like rewards. I would schedule everything else first…work calls, deadlines, errands, all the obligations…and then try to squeeze in time for myself.

And then I’d wonder why I felt overwhelmed.

Now I’ve flipped it.

My walks, rebounding, yoga, and Pilates go on my calendar first. They are not optional. They are not a selfish indulgence. They are strategic and not optional.

They make me better at everything else.

And the ripple effect that comes with it is enormous.

When you feel regulated, you make better choices. You respond instead of react. You create from a grounded place instead of from panic.

That changes everything.

If I could simplify it, my advise would be…

Know where you’re going.
Work in focused seasons.
Take care of the nervous system that’s carrying you through it all.

Success really isn’t about doing more. I know it can seem like running all over the place must mean success. But trust the process… It’s about doing what matters consistently and equally important… sustainably.

And I’d genuinely love to know!

What helps you feel your best in your business and in your personal life?
What routines or systems have made the biggest difference for you?

Melissa
The Literary Assistant

Want to join me as we create a strategic plan for how you grow your community and convert more sales? Check out my upcoming workshop with History Through Fiction. (open to authors of all genres)

Learn how to put your author funnel into action with a simple, step-by-step plan.

This hands-on workshop covers how to create a lead magnet that attracts your ideal readers, build an engaging email welcome sequence, and connect essential tools like BookFunnel, ConvertKit, and Substack.

This session simplifies automation for authors and helps you develop an efficient system that works while you write. Whether you’re new to email marketing or ready to streamline your current process, you’ll leave with a 30-day implementation roadmap and measurable goals.

Register individually as a standalone event or gain access to the Zoom link with a paid subscription to Colin Mustful’s Substack.