Why I Challenge Myself to Write 500 Words in 10 Minutes Every Morning

Every morning, before the market opens, I sit down and write. It’s not always easy. In fact, I deliberately make it a little hard.

My goal?
500 words in 10 minutes.

It might sound intense—and it is—but I’ve done it before, many times. And every time I do, I get a little better. A little faster. A little more confident in my ability to express myself, even when the words aren’t flowing perfectly.

The Power of Tough Daily Challenges

I believe in pushing boundaries. Not to the point of burnout, but enough to feel discomfort—the kind that signals growth.

If I always stayed within my comfort zone, how would I improve?

So I set tough, time-boxed goals like these to sharpen my skills.

But I also keep it realistic. Writing 1,000 words in 10 minutes? That’s just chaos. But 500? That’s my sweet spot. It forces me to think, to focus, and—most importantly—to let go of perfection.

Writing Without Censorship

During these sprints, I write without editing. No filters. No internal critic.

Whatever comes to mind goes on the page. Awkward phrasing? Repetition? Incomplete thoughts? I allow it all. Because this isn’t about creating a masterpiece—this is about training my brain to produce, not just perfect.

It’s messy. But it works.

And the more I do it, the more I realise: the courage to face my own raw, unpolished work is what makes me stronger as a writer.

Facing My Flaws to Grow

If I can’t bear to see my own flaws on the page, how will I ever share my writing with the world?

Improvement begins with acceptance. I’ve learnt not to fear my own awkward sentences or half-baked ideas. That’s where real growth hides—in the mess.

Every artist starts somewhere. Most first drafts are bad. Even Picasso created countless works that didn’t stand the test of time. But we remember the few that did—and that’s the point.

Success doesn’t require perfection in everything. It requires persistence, volume, and the willingness to keep going, even when you’re unsure if what you’re doing is any good.

Just Keep Producing

I’ve written dozens of blog posts, but only a few have truly resonated with readers. Still, those few brought me visibility and a small sense of accomplishment.

So I keep showing up. I keep producing.

Because the more I create, the more chances I have to strike a chord.

Final Thoughts

I hit nearly 500 words in 10 minutes again today. Not every word was elegant. Not every sentence made perfect sense. But that’s okay.

What matters is that I showed up. I pushed myself.

And once again, I proved that pressure, when used intentionally, can shape progress.

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📝 What About You?
Do you set small, uncomfortable challenges for yourself? How do you stretch your skills each day?

Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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