Finish a Boring Assignment without Losing Your Mind!

Writer's Resources...

To Accept or Not to Accept a Boring Assignment?

I can think of a few good aspects of freelance writing. My favorite: being able to research and learn about various topics. As a freelance writer, I've developed an in-depth understanding of personal finance, real estate, marketing, relationships, and mental conditions. This is primarily due to the fact that I've created several web content articles and blog entries on the aforementioned topics.

Prior to writing my first personal finance piece, I didn't know how to refinance a mortgage loan, negotiate a better credit card deal, or get an auto loan with bad credit. Even if the title of an assigned article didn't immediately raise my excitement level, I usually developed a sincere interest once I researched and discovered a unique angle.

There are different types of freelance assignments. Personally, I love pitching an article idea. This way, I can write on topics that interest me. Yet, I have received assignment articles from editors on many occasions. Assigned articles are - okay. I know how it feels to go through a slump. Therefore, I appreciate every assignment that comes through my inbox. But sometimes, writing an assigned article is torture. I once wrote an article on NASCAR - the longest week of my life. Halfway through the article I felt like throwing in the towel. But, I honored the commitment and wrote a so-so piece.

This experience taught me a valuable lesson.

Some people feel that writers should only "write what they know." I take it a step further and feel that writer's can write on any subject, given that it sparks their interests. However, I feel that writers should also recognize their limitations. With every boring piece I've ever written, I always had the option of turning down the assignment - but I didn't. I'm all for challenging myself and taking my business to a new level. However, there's a difference between being unfamiliar with an assigned topic and having absolutely no interest in a topic.

Let's be real: a boring assignment can zap your drive, leave you frustrated, and monopolize too much of your time. I've been there....many times. Nowadays, I try to stay off that road. I listen to my gut and turn down any assignment that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If I don't care about the topic...I can't write a compelling piece.