30 Days of Writing: Are You All Talk, or Actually In?
The Real System (And the Prompts That Take Away All Your Excuses)
Don't read another word unless you're ready to get called out and maybe, finally, to show up for yourself.
Because here's what you already know:
Most people never do the work. They save articles, screenshot advice, and still end up exactly where they started another idea in the graveyard, another month lost to scrolling and wishing.
But you? You're here. You want to do more than think about it. You want to make something happen.
Now lets do a quick Recap …
In my last article, I broke down why I’m doing this 30-day writing sprint and why I think you should too …
Writing is thinking !!
In a world where AI can help you do almost anything, the real skill is keeping your own mind strong not by avoiding tech, but by using it the right way.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about being anti-AI or pretending I don’t use these tools. I absolutely do, almost every day.
But the key is making sure I’m not letting the tech do my thinking for me. I use LLMs and I also build ML models. No shame in any of that.
But when it comes to thinking, that’s still on me. AI can help, but at the end of the day, only I can build my mental muscle.
The 30-Day Challenge (A Mental Gym)
Start Date: Monday (circle it, tell someone, set the reminder)
Duration: 30 days straight no “I’ll make it up tomorrow.”
Output: One post a day. Each one is a mental rep.
Length: 250–1000 words. Enough to make you stretch, not so much that you burnout.
Your Only Job: Show up. Write. Don’t worry if it’s good just do the rep. Use your tools, but make sure you’re thinking, not just remixing.
What Stops Us From Thinking Out Loud?
The usual excuses show up quick:
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Who even cares?”
“I’m out of ideas.”
Bullshit !
That’s your brain begging for comfort. But when you ignore it and speak anyway something shifts.
Here's what that shift looks like: I’ve got 82 subscribers right now. And 8 of them pay actual money to read my thoughts. That’s 82 people who said, “Yeah, this is worth it.” I started from zero but I kept showing up, and it built from there.
Not because every post was brilliant. Most weren’t. But I showed up!
And to my subscribers, thank you. Every single one of you helped make this real.
Now lets talk about how to take away every excuse before it ruins you:
You’ve got the desire, you’ve committed to the challenge and now it’s time to make sure excuses don’t trip you up.
That's why I've included these prompt not as homework, but as tools. Use them if you need them.
They're here to help you get started, and stay consistent.
Your Prompts: Like a Spotter for your mind
Prompt 1: Don't Have a Topic Yet? Start Here
I want to write consistently for 30 days but I'm not sure what to focus on.
Help me find my topics by asking me:
1. What do people always ask me for advice about?
2. What rabbit holes do I fall into at 2am?
3. What do I rant about after two drinks?
4. What skill took me years to figure out that I could save someone else time on?
5. What change did I make that I wish I'd made sooner?
Based on my answers, suggest my TOP 3 TOPICS I could rotate between for 30 days of writing. For each topic, tell me:
- Why I'm uniquely positioned to write about this
- Who would care (be specific)
- What transformation I could help create
Make the topics specific enough to focus on, broad enough for 30 posts.
Then explain how I can rotate between these 3 topics to keep my writing fresh (example: Week 1 mostly Topic A, sprinkle in Topic B, Week 2 flip it, etc.)Prompt 2: The Idea Machine
You are my collaborative writing coach for a 30-day content sprint.
My topics are: [INSERT YOUR 3 TOPICS - or just 1 if you're focused].
Create 30 distinct post ideas that I can rotate between these topics. For each idea, give me:
- A working title (4–8 words, punchy and clear)
- The core question it answers
- Which topic it belongs to (if using multiple)
- The post type (personal story, tactical how-to, opinion/contrarian, breakdown/analysis, experiment, case study, etc.)
Mix it up: Some personal, some tactical, some controversial, some reflective.
If I gave you 3 topics, make sure to balance them throughout the 30 days so I don't burn out on any single topic.
Every idea should be so clear and focused that I could start writing immediately, no brainstorming needed.
Avoid repetition and generic filler.
At the end, give me two wildcard bonus prompts that experiment with style or format, and a call to action to pick my Day 1 post.
If you understand, begin by asking me to confirm or refine my topics, then generate the list.Prompt 3: Find Your Reader
For my 30-day writing sprint on [YOUR TOPICS]:
- Who am I writing for? (Be specific, imagine a real person)
- What's their biggest frustration with these topics right now?
- What do they wish someone would just tell them—straight, no sugarcoating?
- What change do I want them to make after reading my stuff?
Give me four clear answers for EACH topic if I'm using multiple. Show me how these audiences might overlap or differ.
No corporate-speak. No fluff. Make these my North Star.Steal these. Screenshot them. Print them. Tattoo them on your brain. Every time you get stuck, use them.
What Happens When You Stop Making Excuses
Week 1: You’ll feel a spark. Ideas you forgot you had will show up.
Week 2: The newness wears off. You’ll want to quit. That’s where most people disappear.
Week 3: Writing gets easier. You start to hear your real voice, not just echoes.
Week 4: It’s automatic. You feel weird if you don’t write. That’s how you know it’s working.
The Ugly, Beautiful Truth
Some days, your writing will suck. Publish anyway.
Some days, you'll surprise yourself. Save those.
Most days, you'll just check the box. And that's still a win.
One trick today's Friday. Perfect timing. Run these prompts today, get your ideas lined up, and bang out 3-4 articles this weekend. This is called batching. It's not cheating, it's being smart about the days when life gets in the way.
And hey, US readers? Memorial Day weekend means extra time. Use it.
Write 5-6 posts if you're feeling it. Bank them.
Because Week 2 is when most people quit, and having a buffer is like having a safety net. You'll thank yourself when Tuesday hits and you're already ahead instead of behind.
Here's Your Real Assignment
Use the prompts. Use the AI. Practice the reps. But don't let any tool think for you. Show up, write, and keep your mind in shape because that's a muscle only you can train.
Let's see who's still thinking for themselves in 30 days.
Drop a comment if you're in. Tell me what you're committing to. Or keep scrolling and stay exactly where you are.
30 days from now, you'll have 30 posts or 30 excuses.
I already know which one I'm choosing.
Reader Challenge:
Use the prompts. Use your tools. Write your Day 1 post not to fill space, but to practice the muscle of thinking in a world that wants to make you passive.