Finding Time to Write
Finding time for writing
So as I try to juggle all my projects with my day job, I have to think about time management. I’ve read many books on the subject and have kind of cobbled together tips that seem to work for me. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about time wastes so I can try to find a good hour or two a day to work on writing, despite my crazy life. Self awareness is the key. :)
1) Set a routine. This to me is probably the biggest way to succeed. My weekday routine allows me to spend about 15 min in the morning on beta reads/edits and then 1-2 hours most evenings on writing, despite working 10 hour days and my hour commute each way.
2) Set a routine on the weekends. This is harder, but try to set goals/lists of things you want to get done on the weekend. If you know you have plans, set obtainable goals. I like to set a loose schedule of my day generally consisting of meetings/writing in the AM and admin duties (like this newsletter) and writing in the PM. Then I try to be done so I have a free evening with my friends and family.
3) Eliminate duplicative works. This means that if you like to write things down just to retype them into another document, consider just typing them into the document to begin with.
4) Organize, organize, organize your virtual life. How much time do you spend looking for a document or an email? Find a home for those things, name documents and pictures in ways that make sense and utilize that search bar to find things.
5) Organize, organize, organize your home, car and office. You can find lots of time wasters in simply walking up and down stairs, digging through drawers, finding the paper for your printer, grabbing the toilet bowl cleaner etc. Think about how much time you spend looking for things in your house and consider putting that time into your writing.
6) Find time wastes and eliminate them. Everyone knows this, but eliminate as many errands and chores as you can. Get your groceries delivered, or have a family member pick them up. Ask the post office to pick up your packages. Amazon can be your best friend--I love buying deodorant in the morning and getting it delivered in the afternoon. I don’t have to worry about remembering it and running to Target to pick it up. Seriously--this has saved me so much time.
7) Set time for social media. Social media can be a huge time suck, so schedule it into your routine and try not to check it in-between that time. I’ll be honest, I struggle with that one.
8) Talk to your family about your goals. I’m lucky in that my kids are older and can help out more. But I had to have a conversation with my family about chores and expectations. They have stepped up, especially my husband, in the last year to help out with dinners and other chores so I can focus on my writing career.
9) Put your notes, goals, ideas in a single place. A project management app, or a bullet journal can be your best friend
Unfortunately in our busy lives, it’s not enough to want to write or to cross your fingers and hope you find the time. If you’re serious about setting time aside for writing, think about your routines, think about things you can eliminate and you’ll find some time.
So as I try to juggle all my projects with my day job, I have to think about time management. I’ve read many books on the subject and have kind of cobbled together tips that seem to work for me. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about time wastes so I can try to find a good hour or two a day to work on writing, despite my crazy life. Self awareness is the key. :)
1) Set a routine. This to me is probably the biggest way to succeed. My weekday routine allows me to spend about 15 min in the morning on beta reads/edits and then 1-2 hours most evenings on writing, despite working 10 hour days and my hour commute each way.
2) Set a routine on the weekends. This is harder, but try to set goals/lists of things you want to get done on the weekend. If you know you have plans, set obtainable goals. I like to set a loose schedule of my day generally consisting of meetings/writing in the AM and admin duties (like this newsletter) and writing in the PM. Then I try to be done so I have a free evening with my friends and family.
3) Eliminate duplicative works. This means that if you like to write things down just to retype them into another document, consider just typing them into the document to begin with.
4) Organize, organize, organize your virtual life. How much time do you spend looking for a document or an email? Find a home for those things, name documents and pictures in ways that make sense and utilize that search bar to find things.
5) Organize, organize, organize your home, car and office. You can find lots of time wasters in simply walking up and down stairs, digging through drawers, finding the paper for your printer, grabbing the toilet bowl cleaner etc. Think about how much time you spend looking for things in your house and consider putting that time into your writing.
6) Find time wastes and eliminate them. Everyone knows this, but eliminate as many errands and chores as you can. Get your groceries delivered, or have a family member pick them up. Ask the post office to pick up your packages. Amazon can be your best friend--I love buying deodorant in the morning and getting it delivered in the afternoon. I don’t have to worry about remembering it and running to Target to pick it up. Seriously--this has saved me so much time.
7) Set time for social media. Social media can be a huge time suck, so schedule it into your routine and try not to check it in-between that time. I’ll be honest, I struggle with that one.
8) Talk to your family about your goals. I’m lucky in that my kids are older and can help out more. But I had to have a conversation with my family about chores and expectations. They have stepped up, especially my husband, in the last year to help out with dinners and other chores so I can focus on my writing career.
9) Put your notes, goals, ideas in a single place. A project management app, or a bullet journal can be your best friend
Unfortunately in our busy lives, it’s not enough to want to write or to cross your fingers and hope you find the time. If you’re serious about setting time aside for writing, think about your routines, think about things you can eliminate and you’ll find some time.
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