I meet a lot of people who say they want to write a book. They tell me their title, the stories they want to share and how they will leverage author status, but surprisingly so few people actually do it. I’ve seen this so often that I’ve narrowed down what I believe to be the 5 biggest mistakes authors make so you can avoid these roadblocks to finishing your book.

1. Procrastination – I know a lot about procrastination as productivity expert but mostly because I’ve been a procrastinator too! Especially when it came to writing my first book, “Winning In Life Now.” I thought about it for years but never did anything about it. I kept putting it on the “back burner” and promising that I’d get to it “someday” but almost an entire decade went by before I banished my procrastination and started taking action. Fear is usually the culprit so figure out what you’re afraid of and then take action anyway! You’re story needs to be told and there is no better time than NOW!

2. Discipline – No one ever said following a goal was going to be easy but it doesn’t have to be hard! If you plan your book writing time the way you plan your business meetings and personal plans, then I guarantee that you will get your book done in record time. It’s when you don’t fully commit yourself to the idea of becoming an author that you allow a lack of discipline and focus to creep into your life. I wrote my entire book in 3 weeks…not because I wasn’t busy, all because I was disciplined.

3. Belief – This is a big one! Most people SAY they want to be an author but deep down they don’t BELIEVE they can do it. It’s a mindset shift to go from your ever day life to a new life as a “published author” but it doesn’t have to be that way. You are the perfect and only person who can tell your story and your story will make a difference in someone else’s life so do what it takes to work on your internal beliefs about what being a author is all about…to me its really all about making a difference.

4. Don’t Know They Have a Story – Even if you’ve dreamed of becoming an author, chances are you’ve had moments of thinking to yourself, “but I have nothing to say!” At least that’s what I thought for years as I procrastinated on getting my book done. Finding your topic doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, you already have your story…in your head. You just have to find a way to get it out.

5. Don’t Have a Road Map – Anyone who has a GPS knows that you can get anywhere much easier by having that device lead the way. It’s a roadmap…a plan to get you from where you are to where you want to be. If you don’t have the same roadmap for writing a book you will fail. There are several steps in the publishing process that must be followed, in the correct order, to get you to author status. Spend some time researching the process, seeking help and learning from someone who’s already doing it.

This is what I’ve seen to be what holds would-be-authors up the most but there is some good news too! If you identify with any of these mistakes, it’s not too late to go in another direction. Just like the GPS, you can reprogram your route and get back on the highway to becoming an author. Trust, the journey is well worth it in the long run!