Tips to fit writing into your daily routine, so you finally get your book written.
You’re a writer, but that’s not all you are. You’re also a parent and a friend, and you have a full-time job. It sounds cliché, but if you want to succeed, you need to get things done. What can you do to manage your writing efforts while balancing your daily activities? Here are some ways to fit writing into your day.
Record Your Thoughts ASAP
You’ve been there. You got inspired by an idea or a thought and you swore it was a good one. The one that would make the perfect book. Except that you forgot what it was. How unfortunate!
To avoid this, always be prepared to write down your ideas as soon as they come, regardless of where you are. These days, it’s easier than ever to keep track of your ideas. You can do it the old-fashioned way with pen and paper or go with your smartphone’s note program or a voice recorder.
Exploit Those Precious Breaks
If you’re holding down a full-time job or have kids, you only get a few breaks during the day. Take advantage of those rare alone times to jot down your thoughts. Consider sneaking in some writing during your lunch break, while waiting for your kid in the pick-up line, or at the doctor’s office. You may not get a ton written, but you’re trying to fit writing into your day, so take what you can get.
Determine Your Optimal Writing Time
This tip works for most tasks that require creativity and challenge! If you’re a morning person, wake up earlier than usual to squeeze in some writing time. If you feel more productive at night, write after you’ve put the kids to bed. Whatever time works for you, make it work!
Fit Writing into Your Day, Not Your Phone
You want to fit writing into your day, but your phone keeps getting in the way. How can you overcome this handheld obstacle? When it’s writing time, don’t bring your phone. Leave it in another room or turn it off. If you have to have it in case of emergencies, don’t set it beside the computer keyboard. Put it across the room. Turn off notifications. Then get to work on your book.
Stay Motivated
Staying motivated plays a crucial role in helping you finish that book! With that in mind, find what moves you, what keeps you ticking. Doing this will help you fit writing into your daily routine and leave it there for good.
Once you know your motivation, set realistic goals you can achieve every day or week. Aim to write for a certain amount of time or until you hit a certain number of words. Then get to writing.
Once you achieve your goals, reward yourself! Only watch your favorite TV show or eat your favorite food after reaching your target. If this doesn’t give you the drive, find another motivator.
Mix It Up
Some writers thrive on routine. They do the same thing day after day. If this is you, you won’t have a problem finding a way to fit writing into your daily routine. However, this may not be you.
While routine helps certain writers stay focused, it doesn’t work for everyone. Many writers work better when they work on something new each day. If you’re like this, find ways to mix things up. Write a poem one day and a short story the next. Even if you’re swapping things up, you’ll be writing. And you’ll make progress on multiple pieces at once.
Prioritize Writing
To write a book, you’ve got to prioritize it. No, you should not let go of your full-time job. You just need to use your spare time for writing. That means using the time you normally lurk on social media to write. It’s what it takes to be successful as a writer. As you prioritize writing, something magical will happen. You’ll stop talking about being a writer and become one in real life.
Results When You Fit Writing into Your Day
Writing with kids or a full-time job? Most authors are in the same boat. If you’re determined to finish that novel, memoir, or children’s book, you have to take action. You have to fit writing into your day.
Keep fighting and stay motivated. In the end, you’ll reap the benefits of your efforts. When you do, we’ll be here to get your book off your computer and onto bookshelves.