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My writing life was out of control. After spending two weeks decluttering my writing space, I set a new goal to stay clutter-free.
One of my biggest problems is paper. While I love to write in libraries and coffee shops, my primary writing space is in a guest bedroom in my house. But years of rough drafts, files, and old mail left me surrounded by lots of abandoned paper. As I looked around, I realized my writing oasis was uninspiring. I was in desperate need of a makeover.
Here are the steps I took to clean up my writing act and a few tools to help me simplify my writing life.
STEP #1 – Divide and Conquer
I divided all of my clutter into four piles – keep, donate, relocate and trash. I used my shredder to get rid of every unwanted, outdated piece of paper. Only a small amount of paperwork remained. I found a few storage boxes, which fit nicely on a shelf in the closet, to hold the items I plan to keep. I also found a portable file folder to help me when writing on the road.
After my paper shredding exercise, which left me with seven full trash bags, I knew I had to deal with my mindset on paper. Going forward, most of my bills are paperless. As part of my new process, I now deal with paper within a week by either filing it or throwing it away. For my writing projects, I use cloud-based storage and a flash drive that works with my smartphone. A small desk organizer helps to keep office supplies in one place.
In an article by NY Book Editors on how to build the perfect writing space, I was reminded to include things that inspire me. In my new writing space, now clean and clutter free, I added a few things like silk flowersand the latest picture of my husband and son.
Since reorganizing my writing space, I have learned a lot about decluttering and simplifying my writing space.
If you have any ideas on how I can keep it going, please share.
How do you declutter and simplify your writing life?
This post includes both free and affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.Writers are busy people. Full-time freelance writers work on multiple projects simultaneously. Aspiring writers with full-time jobs write during the wee hours of the morning, late into the night and on weekends. Despite family commitments, distractions, and busy schedules, writers must unlock time to write.
But just in case you haven’t reached this point in your writing career, I’m sharing my time management and productivity tips with you to help you strengthen your writing routine. In 14 months, I moved from corporate life to blogger, author, coach and communications consultant. It’s been a blessed journey and very busy.
In this post, I share the steps I take to manage my time, admitting some days are better than others.
One thing to remember: There is no one way to manage your writing time or get more writing done. Take a look at my ideas and pick out what works for you. Be authentic and stay true to yourself.
Look for waste in your writing process
While I was happy to finish writing my book, I knew there were things I could do to work more efficiently. To find the answers, I conducted my own version of a Waste Walk through my writing process. An actual Waste Walk involves a team of people looking at different parts of a process or a work environment in real time, not analyzing or evaluating after the fact. But since the exercise works to improve a process, I wanted to find out where I wasted time while writing my book. Using the 8 Wastes, which are defects, overproduction, waiting, non-utilized talent, transportation, inventory, motion, and extra processing, I found my biggest waste, in terms of time, was in the following areas:
I uncovered defects in my process when I stored my research notes and my manuscript in two apps instead of one.
I wasted time in overproduction when I spent over ten hours formatting my book.
During the five days spent waiting for comments from my editor, I could have worked on another part of publishing the book.
Not using a designer (non-utilized talent) to design my book cover cost me five days I could have spent promoting my book.
Since I know where the wastes are in my book writing process, I can get rid of unnecessary steps and activities.
Start with a writing brief
Before I begin writing, I like to create a brief outline of what I want to accomplish. My writing brief includes an overview of the project, goals, status of each task, and the project deadline. When I’m working on a client assignment, I add my customer’s input or follow the submission guidelines when working on an article or guest blog post.
Map out time for each project
As a writer, it’s essential to determine how much time you plan to spend on each project. If you are not sure, spend one to two weeks monitoring how long it takes you to write a blog post or a chapter in your book. Once you find your ideal writing time for each piece of content, allocate a specific amount of time to each task on your schedule. On the road to being a fearless writer, resist the urge to compare your writing times with other writers.
Keep track of your tasks
To avoid wasting time, I like to keep track of my writing and nonwriting duties. When I first started my blog, I quickly realized I had more to do than just writing blog posts. There was lots of researching topics, updating my website, formatting graphics for each blog post, and so much more. As a die-hard fan of to-do lists, I turned to a productivity journal to keep track of my tasks. Another good planning system is bullet journaling (see also ‘Best Bullet Journal Supplies‘). Created by Ryder Carrol, a bullet journal is a blank journal that helps you divide your responsibilities under different sections in an index, monthly, daily, collections and a future log. You can learn more from Ryder’s video here. See a list of my favorite journal supplies here.
Know when to say no
It’s essential for every writer to know when to say no. You cannot work on every project that comes your way. Based on your values and beliefs, be clear about the projects you will accept and the ones you will reject. Why is this important? There’s no reason to waste time working on projects you don’t believe in, or that take time away from other priorities. I use a yes/no/maybe chart to keep track of my writing commitments.
Know when to hit publish
Don’t waste time rewriting the same content over and over hoping to get it just right. At the start of my writing projects, I determine how many rounds of edits my document will go through. I also use writing software like Grammarly or ProWritingAid to help during your editing process. I have learned to hit publish so I can move on to my next writing assignment.
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Do you remember playing team sports as a child? Did you hate being picked last or, if the teams were uneven, being asked to, sit this one out? Unfortunately, that feeling of being overlooked or left out never seems to go away on its own.
When I got laid off in 2017, my instinct was to return to the emotions from my childhood. At 51, after 16 years of devoted service, I was being told the team no longer needed me and the company no longer wanted my service. I was suddenly out of a job.
But instead of returning to those familiar feelings of rejection and loss, I went out on a limb and trusted God. And I am so glad I did. I saved so much time and energy not worrying, complaining, lamenting or questioning what was happening around me.
Instead, I embraced my time of refreshing. I told myself, ‘You’re okay whether you are on the team or not. God’s got it all under control.’
Below are five steps I took to help me deal with my layoff. I originally offered this list to my sister in Christ, Wendi, and her readers over at Strength 4 Spouses. Look at the list and offer any additional tips on how to hold on to faith during difficult times.
Be honest about how you feel
When faced with difficult times, tell God exactly how you feel. If you are mad, frustrated, or worried, let God know your heart. If you are having a hard time, ask God to show you how to deal with what’s going on in your life.
Ask God for help
According to research compiled by Barna Group, of the American adults who regularly pray, only 49% ask for guidance during a personal crisis. Don’t be afraid to ask God for help. He does not expect you to figure everything out on your own.
Be prepared to fight for your faith
Ephesians 6:10-20 represents a call to battle in a spiritual war. The imagery of battle comes to life in verses 14-17 as we see a warrior outfitted with God’s armor, clad with truth, justice, salvation, and faith. During the hardest times of your life, the enemy will attack your faith. Put on your armor to defend your faith in God.
Grow your faith
It’s one thing to say you have faith, and quite another thing to act like it. If you feel overwhelmed about the difficulty you face, go to God’s Word for guidance. As you continue to learn about faith, put God’s Word into action.
Find a mentor
Ask a mature Christian friend to mentor you during tough times. Learn from his or her walk with Christ.
Would you like to be Inbox friends?
I’d love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. I share tips on writing, following your dreams and embracing God’s divine plan for your life.
Do you wonder how some writers can write on the go? Or how they seem to conquer their creative muse to write anywhere like on the beach, or while on an airplane?
You are not alone.
“But you don’t need the perfect setup to do the work. For example, I’ve written five of my books completely on airplanes.” Seth Godin
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.
Tools like Trello and Asana are great for organizing writing projects. You can also use a web-based, Kanban-style tool like MeisterTask.
In addition, there are editing tools like Grammarly and ProWriting Aid to help make our writing clear and mistake-free.
CoSchedule is great for organizing your blog posts, email, and social media promotion all in one place if you are a blogger.
Friends and family ask me all the time how I can get my writing done. I like to keep a notebook or journal with me at all times to record ideas or to write.
I compiled a list of motivational books, notebooks, headphones, and snacks that help me.
I also created the infographic below to offer five suggestions on how to write on the go.
If you have any to add, share your input in the comment box.
After all, we’re all in this together.
Productive Writer’s Guide on How to Write on the Go (Infographic)
UPDATED – A version of this article was posted for Jill Sheet’s blog https://jillsheets.blogspot.com/as part of my guest blog series.
This post includes both free and affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
The year 2018 is gone.
On December 31, you said goodbye to another year filled with trials in your writing life. Goodbye to any failed attempts to write 1,000, 2,000, or 5,000 words per day. So long to all those missed deadlines and unfinished writing projects. Buh-bye.
January 1 marked the start of a new year for your writing adventures. This year, you are more determined and focused. No more distractions. You are looking forward to the road ahead.
But you wonder how you will stay on track.
You can rescue your writing life before makingthe same mistakes you made last year. Here are ten tips to consider.
#1 Eliminate excuses
Make a list of the reasons you struggle to finish your writing projects. Determine which reasons are excuses. Determine the small steps you will take to eliminate every excuse. Post this list in a place where you can see it every time you write.
Don’t let excuses keep you from writing this year.
#2 Take A.I.M. at your writing habits
To understand what changes to make, you must take A.I. M. — analyze, improve and manage — at your writing habits. First, analyze your writing habits to understand at what point you lose interest or become discouraged in your writing projects. Next, identify the steps needed to improve your actions, mindset or behavior. If you get stuck, talk to a friend or another writer. Finally, determine how you will manage your new approach to writing.
#3 Unpack your schedule
What happens when you pack too many things in your suitcase? You must take something out. If you want to finish your writing projects, consider unpacking your daily schedule to make room. Identify the activities you can remove from your current schedule to make room for your writing time.
#4 Set goals
Starting a new writing project is exciting. But just as excited as you are to write something new, be just as enthusiastic about finishing it. Create SMART writing goals – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound — for each writing project. From your start date until your projected deadline, decide how you will complete each project.
#5 Use a planner
To keep track of your time, use a planner (see also ‘How To Use A Planner?‘). Use an online tool, like Trello or Asana to organize your writing projects, goals, and to-do list. You can also use a notebook, Word document or Excel spreadsheet. This year, I am using the non-dated planner and gratitude journal byRebel.
#6 Create a writing routine
Build your writing muscles by creating a writing routine. Identify your ideal time to write. Pick a time when you are most creative or when you have the most energy. For me, I like to write Monday through Friday between 5 and 10 a.m. Your best time to write may be nights. The time of day doesn’t matter. Make time to write.
#7 Think and act like a freelance writer
Could this be the year you get paid to write? If you want to get paid to write, even part-time, you must think and act like a freelance writer. Look for opportunities where you can get paid to write blog articles, content, and ebooks. To find new opportunities to make money writing this year, I compiled a list of more than 100 resources. You can download a copy of the list here.
#8 Improve your craft
Look for opportunities to learn more about writing and the writing business. Listen to podcasts, read books, join writing groups, or take courses to improve your writing. When I wanted to learn more about guest blogging, I turned to Jon Morrow, CEO of Smart Blogger, who offers a course on Guest Blogging*.
Want to learn more about blogging? Jon Morrow offers a free webinar
#9 Work with other writers
Need help with your writing platform? Pick a writer or blogger you admire. Consider offering them your specialized services, like proofreading or editing, in exchange for their knowledge about building a writing platform.
#10 Audit your progress
As you work to keep your writing life on track, it is important to audit your habits. Assess your progress to determine what’s working and what’s not working. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments throughout the year.
Look into the future. See yourself finishing your writing projects, making connections with new writers and maybe getting paid to write.
Remember, it’s your responsibility to make time to write. Let no one or anything stop you from accomplishing your goals as a writer.
Make this your year to shine – now all you have to do is write.
*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I recommend the program because I am a Guest Blogging student and have used the program myself. Please do not spend any money on Guest Blogging unless you feel you need it or that it will help you achieve your goals.
Do you remember always asking your parents, “why?” You wanted to know why you had to eat your vegetables, why you had to go to bed so early, and why you could not play longer outside. When you wanted more information, you always asked why.
As a writer, I realized that must be just as persistent when something in my writing life is not working. When I find it hard to write blog posts, magazine articles, or my next book, ask myself, “why.”
In my work as a certified Six-Sigma communicator, I love helping people find new ways to improve their plans, projects, and writing. Change is my thing, so when I hear writers tell me how hard it is for them to finish their writing projects, I immediately ask “why?”
Change begins with me
Last year I wanted to understand my inability to finish personal writing projects. I started by asking myself why I lose interest so easily. My list of reasons included too much work, family obligations like taking my son to swim practice, and two workouts per day. The list was long and revealed one important thing—most of my reasons were excuses.
But why have I relied on these excuses for so long? I turned to an exercise I like to use with clients to solve problems called “5 Whys.” You begin with a problem and with each answer you ask “why” to drill down to find the root cause of the problem.
Here’s a glimpse at my “5 Whys” exercise on my inability to write my book.
Question #1: Why did you stop writing your last book?
Answer: Because I was waiting to find the right time during the day to write.
Question #2: Why did you wait to find the right time each day?
Answer: Since every day is different, I am afraid I cannot get anything accomplished because of possible interruptions.
Question #3: Why do you allow possible interruptions to stop you from writing?
Answer: Because I want to write at least 2,500 words every time I sit down to write.
Question #4: Why do you want to write 2,500 words every time you sit down to write?
Answer: Because I read articles about writers who can write between 2,500 to 3,500 words per day. If I can write 2,500 words per day, I can finish writing my book in 30 days.
Question #5: Why is it important for you to finish writing your book in 30 days?
Answer: I don’t know.
Whoa! Did I stop writing because I was afraid I wouldn’t meet a daily word count and finish writing my book in 30 days? It blew me away.
At that moment, I knew I had to change my approach to writing.
How I improved my writing life
The first thing I did to improve my writing life was to get rid of the idea I had to be like other writers. Second, I stopped focusing on writing 2,500 words per day. With those two decisions, I completely changed the trajectory of my writing life.
I created a new writing habit which included one key component: I focused on writing in the morning for two hours every day. I chose two hours in the mornings because it’s when I have the most energy to write.
Whether I wrote 500 words or 2,000 during that time did not matter. What mattered most was showing up every day to write for two hours.
The result: I finished writing my first book in less than 90 days.
Time to act
Analyze your current writing life to determine what works and what doesn’t work. Once you find the problem, ask yourself “why” to find the root cause. Be honest with yourself. Determine what small actions you will take to improve.
She works online, in person and by phone as a communication and writing coach and helps her entrepreneurial clientele focus on business and nonfiction writing.
Want to learn more about blogging? Jon Morrow offers a 
