The final tip in your preparation checklist is a very important one.

Step Six – Prepare yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally

Think of NaNoWriMo as running a marathon. You wouldn’t do it without being at peak physical, mental and emotional fitness so don’t attempt this writing challenge without similar preparation. If you don’t, you either won't make it to the end or you will be a complete mess when you finally crawl across the finishing line.

Get enough sleep -  make sure you sleep sufficiently and well. Your body and mind need to be able to work properly and if you don’t sleep enough there is every chance you will struggle through each day, not giving it your all.

Daily exercise – Exercise every day, not just physical exercise but mental too. Practice deep breathing daily to provide your brain with enough oxygen to work at maximum capacity. Exercise reduces stress and boosts hormones to keep you strong and positive throughout the day.

Eat properly – don’t pig out on junk food or just grab a snack here and there. What you eat will make a massive difference in how successful you are. A healthy diet is key, one that gives you energy. You could even spend a few days or a week cooking and freezing your meals in advance. At the very least, have a meal plan drawn up and make sure you replace junk with healthy food. Take supplements if you need to and don’t forget the water – dehydration impairs concentration significantly so ensure you have plenty on hand.

A successful mindset – you won’t complete the challenge if you don’t have a successful mindset. Think about running that marathon again; if you go into it thinking you are going to fail, you will. Be prepared for every single point in this challenge. A marathon runner will have a plan and they will practice affirmations – it’s very easy to say “I can't do this” but, if you can turn that into “I can do this and I will succeed,” you are well on the way. Kick negative thoughts into touch and turn your mindset to one of success.

Writing habits – if you are already a writer then you most likely have good writing habits already, especially if you are successful. If you are not a consistent writer and you think that joining the NaNoWriMo challenge is going to change you into one, be prepared for a shock. To be successful you need to have that desire and drive to write on a daily basis, to be a consistent writer. You need to start developing good writing habits now, long before November gets here. And continue them throughout the challenge; by the time you get to the end, you should have that writing habit down pat.

If you can get through this list by November 1, you are ready to face the NaNoWriMo challenge head-on. You will be fully prepared and you will be more likely to meet your goal and finish the event – successfully, head held high, knowing that you gave it all you have and more.