10 Tips to Help You Slay the Time-Sucking Dragon
Have you ever complained that you don’t have enough time? Ever said, “I don’t know where to find the time to do that!”? Ever convinced yourself that your time is getting eaten up by things out of your control?
You’re not alone. “I have no time” is one of the top complaints of writers all around. I was one of those writers many moons ago, believing that I couldn’t manage my time when I was at the mercy of young children and multiple responsibilities that seemed to crop up every moment I wanted to sit and write.
For me, the solution came from within. And the solution is within you, too. The two top reasons time seems so elusive to us are:
Lack of Clarity
Fear
We have every tool available to us to manage time in the way it benefits us, but it does mean we have to get clear on our intentions and face our fears.
Let’s hop to it!
TACKLING LACK OF CLARITY: WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU ABOUT WRITING?
There is no wrong answer to this—unless you’re unclear. One main reason we struggle with time management is because we’re not quite sure what it is we want out of writing. Do we want to be published? Do we only want to write for ourselves? What kind of writing do I love to do?
When we know what about the act of writing drives us to the page, then we’re more likely to accept that call to action.
If we’re unclear, then we will allow other things to fill in the gap that was intended for your writing.
GET CLEAR, GET WRITING
“I think it would be fun to write a book.” Most of us have started at exactly this point, right? It’s a normal reason that could apply to any one of us. But where in that statement is the follow-through or the HOW?
There isn’t one. It’s kind of like saying, “I think it would be fun to sky dive.” Well, how do you go from thinking it would be fun to sky dive to ACTUALLY sky dive?
You generally make a plan. Set goals. Call skydiving companies for prices and schedules. Ask a buddy to join you.
But what ABOUT the experience of skydiving compels you to make the plan, reserve a spot, drive to the site?
Your end-goal, your WHY, the thing that is most important to you about learning how to skydive.
Being clear on WHY you want to learn how to skydive will help you follow through on the idea. Whatever your end goal is, what you want to get out of skydiving is the incentive to get you to make the skydiving happen.
Making writing happen follows the same idea. You have to understand your end goal. When you know your end goal then you will be able to set the appropriate course of action toward that end goal. Writing a book is a longer commitment than skydiving, but the principle behind making it happen is exactly the same.
Your WHY is your incentive to make a plan, to set goals, to make time to write, to follow through on your commitment. To get the writing done.
Make sure that whatever your purpose is that you are CLEAR on it and FULFILLED by it. Do not hold back, do not limit yourself, do not allow feelings of guilt, shame, or unworthiness shape your purpose.
Once you know your purpose you will be able to make a plan with an appropriate course of action that could include any number of factors, not the least of which is TIME.
TACKLING FEAR: WHAT SCARES YOU ABOUT WRITING?
‘Fess up, writer. We all are scared about at least one aspect of writing. What is your fear? Do you have more than one? It’s okay, many writers have more than one fear in regard to writing.
Are you allowing that fear to keep you away from your writing…say, in the sense of thinking you have no time?
Fear will manifest in a thousand different ways, so we’re not always aware that fear is at play. However, it’s one of the top reasons writers can’t seem to “find” the time to write.
WRITE ANYWAY, BUST FEAR
When we avoid writing due to fear, we are conditioning ourselves to always fear writing. The most effective way to overcome fear is to write anyway.
Get your writing juices flowing by writing anything that feels good. A journal entry, a poem, a dream, a blog post, a conversation overheard in the coffee shop, a letter to your grandmother, a short story, a memory, a character sketch, captions to summer photos, setting, exchange of dialogue, a chapter to your novel, your author profile, an epilogue, back cover blurb, news article, commenting on an author’s blog/website, a travelogue, a prayer, a wish list to Santa.
By writing something that makes you feel good every day you’re actually accomplishing two major goals: you’re besting fear and you’re establishing a writing habit.
A writing habit will allow you to build your skills and grow your knowledge. With increased knowledge and stronger skills, you will become a better writer and feel sincere joy as you work. As a better, joyful writer, you will grow your confidence and take risks. With more risk-taking, you will meet people and learn more about the field. Increased networking will bring opportunities knocking on your door. With opportunities, your goals will be accomplished and your writing dream made reality.
When you can get clear on your writing purpose (goals) and eliminate fear (in all its forms), you are on your way to establishing empowered beliefs about yourself as a writer, and the kind of writing life you want to live.
TIPS ON MAKING TIME TO WRITE
For anyone who honestly doesn’t know where in the day or night you could possibly make the time to write, I highly recommend tracking your time for at least one week. This will be annoying and a PITA but it works like a charm. You will be surprised at the gaps in your day where you could either be writing or shifting tasks around to open up a larger window of time.
Start with fifteen minutes if you’re feeling overwhelmed or tentative. If you can reasonably invest more time, do so. The sooner you can commit to a solid hour or two of daily writing, the faster you’ll establish this habit. The faster you’ll finish your project. The faster you’ll reach your end goal.
Tack on a ten-minute ritual at the beginning of your writing session (or 3 minutes if you can only manage a 15-minute session). Your ritual doesn’t need to be fancy, just meaningful. Select two or three small activities that you can do as a way of preparing your creative center. Meditation, playlists, candles, tea – anything that comforts you and helps you into the writer headspace.
Include reciting your purpose as part of your ritual. Either say it out loud, as part of a meditation, write it in your journal, whatever—but absolutely include an acknowledgment of your purpose: Why are you writing today?
Announce your writing session to anyone who lives with you. You must protect this session -- it is all up to you. If you don't set boundaries--and adhere to them--why would anyone else? They won't. If you're not going to respect and honor your time to write, no one else will either.
Get an accountability partner who can check in on you at regular intervals (however you want to set it up).
Grow your time. Yes, this can be done, but it takes practice. And you know how to get the practice in? (See tip #8.)
Write every day.
Journal your progress.
Write what you love, write with the feeling of fun and joy.
HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR WRITING TIME?
ANY SPECIAL TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS THAT YOU’VE DISCOVERED ALONG YOUR JOURNEY?
HAVE A WRITERLY DAY!