Karen Brown Tyson

Category: Productivity

How to Write Your First Book with SMART Goals
Updated December 2023

A lot of people dream of writing a book. I used to be one of those people. Then, one day, I mapped out an action plan that included SMART goals. I went from an aspiring writer to a published author in six months.

Since then, I have written two more books.

Many people ask me how I do it, so below, I detail how I improved my productivity and mastered writing my books with SMART goals.

This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission at no extra cost if you make a purchase using the links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Start with a clear objective.

An objective should serve as a guide for writing your book. My decision to write my first book came following my third job layoff. If you have been laid off, you know it can be challenging. Since this was my third layoff in my 25-year career, I decided to take a positive approach that relied on my faith. While writing in my journal about the experience, I decided to write a book. Here’s an example of my writing objective: Time to Refresh.

I want to write and publish a book encouraging and inspiring women to move forward after being laid off, fired, or pushed to the sideline.

I used the same approach in writing my third book. I used a similar objective but tailored it to the book’s theme: battling cancer.

What is your objective for writing a book? Finding your why is important because it will help you keep writing even when you want to give up. The objective for writing your book should be one sentence that includes your ideas and values. Post your objective where you can see it daily during the writing process.

Make SMART goals to support your objective.

The goals for writing your book are the steps you take to accomplish your objective. SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. Here’s an example of my SMART goal for writing my book.

Specific – I will write one book in 2018 (2020 and 2023).

Measurable – I will spend at least two hours per day working on the book.

Achievable – I can achieve this if I cut back on my television time.

Relevant – I must write my book to inspire others and build my writing business.

Timely – I will finish writing my book in six months.

Can SMART goals make a difference?

Research suggests that you are more likely to succeed if you write down your goals. Whether you want to start a blog or publish your first book, I firmly believe writers need objectives and goals.

Because I had my objective and SMART goals for writing my books, I was able to accomplish the following milestones:
- produced the first draft of my first book in seven days;
- write a minimum of two hours per day and
- finish writing my first book in less than 90 days.
Today, I use the lessons I have learned to help others write their first book. You’re welcome to check out my 10-step guide on how to write a nonfiction book.

Don’t forget to add a money goal.

If you plan to make money with your writing, creating money goals for each product or service you plan to sell is a good idea. Here’s an example of the money goal for my first book.

Money goal: Make at least a 5 to 10 percent profit above the cost of writing and publishing the book.

While your money goal is essential, it should not overtake your other goals. Don’t forget what you love about writing or why you started your writing business. Instead, use your money goal as a motivator to help you reach your objective.

Pulling it all together into a plan.

Once you have your objective, SMART goals, and money goals, pull everything together into an action plan. Creating an action plan that fits your business and personality is essential. Tools like Trello and Asana are great for organizing writing projects. My plan included a checklist and dates to keep me on track. If you are more of a visual person, consider making a visible action plan that features pictures, dates, and stickers with motivational messages.

Why do writers need an action plan?

Every writer who dreams of being published needs SMART goals, especially writers trying to finish their first book. We have lives outside our writing. We have jobs, families, and many other things to do daily.

When you find time to write, you need to be able to focus on the right thing. It’s easy to lose track of time on Facebook and Instagram while researching your book. Before you know it, hours have passed by, leaving you with very little accomplished. Don’t let your precious time get taken up by social media. Do what you must do on Facebook, and then close that tab!

I finally finished my book and started my writing business only because I created a plan and mapped out my goals.

A plan with goals will ensure you focus on the right things – not everything.
December 9, 2023
Get More Done: 5 Ways to Organize Your Day for Success

Do you ever wish you could do more to organize your day? It’s a thought I used to have all the time.

We all know how it feels to wake up worried about the unfinished tasks from the day before. I can’t tell you how many times I started the day haunted by the email I didn’t send or the project I didn’t finish.

To top it off, I tried to juggle it all in my head and convinced myself that I would remember everything I needed to do. In the beginning, I did okay with keeping everything straight and on track.

But eventually, I became overwhelmed. I knew there had to be a better way to organize my day.

“Either you run the day, or the day runs you.” — Jim Rohn

Over time, I learned that the planning process is crucial. Planning my day is like building a house. It provides the framework, stability, and order for my daily activities to be organized.

Now, do I believe that everything will always go according to plan? No.

But, by planning my day, I can adapt more quickly when things change unexpectedly or without warning.

This post will share five ways to organize your day for success. I hope you’ll find staying focused and getting things done easier by incorporating these tips into your routine. So let’s dive in!

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost, if you purchase using the links.

#1 Start your day with a peaceful practice

I started my day many days by reaching for my smartphone to check my email. I’m talking first thing in the morning, like 3, 4, or 5 a.m. As I read through each email, it didn’t take long before I was sucked into other people’s requests and problems.

Before I knew it, I lost control of my day.

Reaching for a device can be tempting when you’re feeling stressed, but instead, consider starting a daily practice to help you calm down. For example, you could do 5-10 minutes of prayer or breathing exercises.

Instead of grabbing my phone immediately, I learned to use my time reading the Bible and writing in my Write the Word journal.

#2 Organize your day by identifying your priorities

Take a few minutes at the start of each day to identify what you want to accomplish for the day. In the book, Essentialism by Greg McKeown, I discovered that the word priority entered the English language in the 1400s.

The word was singular and meant the very first of prior things. By the time we reached the 1900s, the word was pluralized, which is how we have priorities. Suddenly, there was an idea that we could have multiple first things.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything you have to do each day, use your planner to write down one priority you want to accomplish.

Yes, I said, one. After you get your one priority completed, cross it off your list.

For the most part, I like to write down the 3 to 5 most important things I need to do for the day. But there are days when I permit myself to focus on one priority. Once I complete my most important priority for the day, I can move on to other things remembering that not everything has the same weight of urgency or importance.

#3 Use timeboxing to complete tasks

Timeboxing is a simple technique that sets aside a block of time for specific tasks. During the specified time, you only work on the designated task. If you don’t finish what you set out to do in your allocated time block, that’s fine.

Don’t feel guilty. Instead, note what you need to complete the task, then move on to your next task. Timebox times can be any amount of time you need to complete the tasks – five minutes, one hour, or a month. The good thing about timeboxing is that you have a strict start and end time for each task.

#4 Develop a habit of task batching

Task batching is a strategy that groups similar activities to improve focus and productivity. By breaking projects into specific steps, you can better prioritize your day while reducing time spent switching perspectives or reassigning tasks when someone else needs them finished quicker than expected.

#5 Plan for tomorrow

I recommend that you make a plan for tomorrow. Before I go to bed, I like to write down three to five large tasks that need to be done the next day. I use a productivity notebook, but you can use sticky notes or a planner.

You can stay focused on the important things when you plan your day. It’s easy to get distracted by other tasks when your day is already busy. Creating an actionable daily schedule with specific blocks for what needs doing makes it much easier to stop yourself from feeling overwhelmed and ensure you can get more done.

February 24, 2022
How to Prepare for the Week Ahead in 5 Easy Steps

If your life is anything like mine, you have a lot going on. Every week is full of work assignments, family commitments, goals, and dreams. I remember ending some weeks on top of the world, and other weeks, I felt like I didn’t accomplish much.

Photo from Shutterstock

And sometimes, I ended my week feeling overwhelmed. Does any of this sound familiar to you?

Planning your week is a great way to stay on top of everything and avoid last-minute disasters. This post outlines what works for me in five easy steps to prepare for the week ahead. As you read through, I encourage you to apply the steps that work for you and eliminate anything that doesn’t.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase using the links.

Step #1 — List

One of the best ways to prepare for a busy week is by setting aside time on the weekend — either Saturday or Sunday — to list all of your meetings, appointments, tasks, and commitments for the upcoming week. Also, include any goals or projects that need your attention. Don’t worry about how many items you list, as some of the things you want to work on may flow into the following week. By getting everything out of your head, you can see what’s ahead of you. With a plan in place for the whole week, I wake up on Monday feeling more organized and ready to take on the week.

Click here to read the blog post on how to add calm and focus to your life.

Step #2 — Categorize

Once I list all my thoughts and tasks, I group everything into different categories. I encourage you to create categories that work for you. The categories I use for my system are:

Business, faith, medical, self-care, home-life, connections, and fun.

As you categorize your tasks, you can use one or more of the following tools:

A whiteboard or flip-chart paper posted on a wall

A journal or PowerSheets planner

An electronic document

Use the display that works best for you and keep it where you can see it every day. Then, as you go through your week, mark off everything you complete. If you cannot complete a task, move it to the next day or the following week.

Step #3 — Organize

To help organize your tasks, you can use lots of systems. I like the Eisenhower Matrix, which allows you to decide which tasks are most important by categorizing them into four boxes. It’s a simple decision-making tool that can help clear up your schedule so it will be more organized and efficient.

Stephen Covey popularized the Urgent-Important Matrix in his best-selling book The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People. This habit is named after Dwight D Eisenhower, who organized his obligations so that only matters of importance and urgency came across his desk.

But there is a clear distinction between important and urgent tasks.

Urgent tasks are the ones that demand your attention. A good example is an email from someone who needs a report by the end of the day.

Important tasks are the backbone of all other work. With important tasks, you have more time than you do with urgent tasks. For important tasks, apply a deadline and work on them until they are complete. Then, monitor your progress to ensure that the tasks don’t become urgent due to procrastination or missed deadlines.

Step #4 — Schedule

When planning your schedule, make sure to balance your week by choosing the important and urgent tasks from each category. If some tasks seem more pressing than others, use those as priorities for planning out what needs to be done first so they don’t fall through the cracks.

Step #5 — Reflect

Well done! You’ve made it to the end of another week. Take some time for yourself and do a weekly reflection. What are your thoughts on how things went this time around? Do any tasks need moving to next week? Make a note of anything that didn’t go well to make changes.

Photo from Adobe Stock

February 8, 2022
10 Habits You Need to Be a Super Productive Writer

Photo from Adobe Stock

Updated January 2022

Since starting my blog in 2018, I’ve adjusted my writing habits. Initially, my goal was to post articles consistently. But as my writing business started to grow, I had to change my writing habits again. So, in addition to being consistent in my writing, I worked on developing habits that helped me become a productive writer. Here are ten writing habits I use.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase using the links.

1. Maintain a schedule

As a solopreneur, it always seems like I have a million things going on. In addition to managing my client’s work, I have to keep up with family events, doctor appointments, the house, and a blog. The only way I get through it all, including my writing, is to create a schedule. So I learned to develop a strict plan that’s flexible enough to move things around when necessary. Here’s more information on how to fit writing into your life.

How to Bend Time to Fit Writing into Your Busy Life

2. Keep track of time

One of the things I learned long before becoming a writer is that we all have the same 24 hours in a day. However, from my days of working in a corporate environment, I know that every day can, and probably will, be different. With this in mind, I knew there would be days when I wouldn’t be able to write because my son might be sick, or a friend would need my help, or my husband might want to drive to the beach for the day. So I learned to focus on the most important things on those days, and I plan my writing assignments accordingly.

3. Divide writing and non-writing tasks

As part of my daily writing schedule, I divide my writing tasks into writing and non-writing. My writing tasks include client assignments and writing blog posts, articles, and books. My non-writing tasks are those things I need to complete to support my writing tasks. Like the research, I need to do before I start writing.

During my writing sessions, I focus on one task at a time. I resist the temptation to multitask. I avoid working on writing and non-writing tasks simultaneously, like researching while writing my book.

4. Develop a writing routine with process goals

Once I started adding writing projects to my schedule, I learned to add process goals to my writing routine. Process goals are the specific physical or mental steps I need to complete my writing projects. For example, when writing my second book, Time to Reset, I mapped out the steps and processes I needed to take to finish the book. Likewise, when I start writing a book, I list every necessary step to complete the book. In addition, my writing routine is flexible and allows for non-writing days. Here’s more information on writing routines.

How to Reach Your Goals with a Powerful Writing Routine

5. Treat writing like a business

In my early blogging days, I wasn’t worried about making money. But once I got the hang of blogging, I started to treat it like a business. In addition to having a self-hosting service for my website, I dedicate time to plan out my posts, schedule them, and review my progress by using a blog editorial calendar.

6. Manage distractions

Productive writers protect their writing time by managing distractions. Since I work from home, I like to schedule my book writing time early in the morning. Throughout the day, I work on client assignments and attend meetings. To avoid interruptions like email and social media, I use content blocking apps like Rescue Time to eliminate alerts and pop-up messages while I write. In addition, I close all social media accounts and websites. If my husband and son are home, I let them know I’m writing and when I will be available.

7. Be prepared to write anywhere

Besides managing distractions, I learned how to transition to a creative mindset to write anywhere. Like a basketball player can compete in gyms worldwide, a productive writer learns to adapt to different environments such as coffee shops, cafes’ and commuter trains. But mental endurance takes time. Dean Hebert, M. Ed., a certified mental-game coach and a former marathoner, adds, “Mental skills, like physical strength, develop over time and with consistency.”

With this in mind, I learned to write in different locations other than my usual writing space at home. As a result, I have a backpack that includes everything I need to write anywhere – my laptop, notebook, pens, portable battery charger, Wi-Fi hotspot, hand sanitizer, and my favorite water bottle.

8. Use writing sprints

Whether I’m trying to increase my word count (see also ‘How to Write More: 10 Quick Ways to Boost Your Word Count‘) or get a piece of content finished, I use writing sprints. Writing sprints help me to write within a pre-defined length of time. I set a timer for 30, 45, or 60 minutes and write nonstop until the alarm rings. I don’t answer the phone, surf the web, answer email, or edit during a writing sprint. I write. I give myself 15-minute breaks, and I repeat as often as necessary until I accomplish my writing goal for the day.

9. Focus on the positive

I know what it feels like to question myself and wonder if writing is any good. So, to deal with potential negative thoughts, I write positive affirmations to myself as part of my journal writing practice. First, I jot down a positive statement about myself as a writer and why my work is important. Then, I post the message to see it during my writing session and throughout the day.

In addition, I like to listen to positive messages throughout each day. Inspirational podcasts, sermons, and other blog sites help me. Sometimes I write down inspiring remarks to my journal (see also our article on junk journals) or vision board.

10. Celebrate small wins

It’s important to celebrate small wins as a writer. For example, I like to celebrate whether I publish a blog post or finish writing a chapter in my book. Each win helps me keep moving forward to what else I can accomplish.

January 3, 2022
Work Smarter, Not Harder: 5 Ways to Be More Efficient

How many times have you heard the phrase, “work smarter, not harder?” I’m guessing you’ve heard this slogan dozens of times. But sometimes, working smarter seems easier said than done.

As a creative entrepreneur, I’m sure you have a lot you need to get done. So it’s easy to think you have to get it all done at once. When I first started my business, I was so excited to see my dream come to life. I found myself seeing every task as urgent. It wasn’t long before I had to return to a few of the efficiency strategies I used in my corporate life.

Fast forward to today, I have more client assignments, more tasks, and less time. Working smarter, not harder, is more critical now than ever if you’re anything like me. If you need a few tips on working smarter, not harder, here are five ways to be more efficient.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase using the links.

Don’t start before you plan

First things first – if I don’t make time to plan, I waste loads of time. I know a lot of people who see planning as unnecessary, especially to the creative mind who wants to flow freely. But the secret to getting things done involves planning. So if you want to get more done, try planning.

Of course, it might seem impossible to plan when creativity will strike. Don’t wait for creativity to strike. Schedule time on your calendar for writing, researching, filming, and all the other components of the content creation process. Planning will keep you on track and ensure that you meet your goal.

Work in smaller bits

The idea of tackling a big project can be overwhelming. When I talk to people about writing a book, some of them admit that the idea of writing a book from beginning to end seems complicated. The best way to get to the end of big projects is by breaking them up into smaller bits.

By breaking up my larger project into smaller bits, I can focus on one part at a time. In addition, this approach keeps me motivated to get each step done. As I check off each smaller task, I gain momentum and feel inspired to get the entire project done.

Master the art of delegation

Let’s not argue on this one. You have a lot of work to do. However, some people have the skills you need to tackle some of the tasks on your desk. For example, if you are a writer, you could consider hiring someone on Fiverr to tackle the research phase of your project. You could also hire a virtual assistant to vet clients for you before you accept projects. By leveraging the time and talent of others, you could significantly increase your productivity.

Fight the itch to multitask

Too many creatives work like circus jugglers. We create videos, write content, have a full-time job, and tackle multiple client projects simultaneously. Rather than working on one thing at a time, we try to multitask. An article by NPR exposes the myth of multitasking. We often think we are getting a lot done because we are so busy doing many things. Unfortunately, this affects efficiency. Instead, focus on one task at a time.

Using a timer to complete tasks

It’s easy to get carried away with the tasks we enjoy. But, ironically, it is also easy to spend lots of time on tasks that we don’t want. An effective way to maintain efficiency is to set a timer for tasks. For example, suppose you have scheduled one hour in the morning to respond to your community or four hours for blog writing. Set a timer on your phone that will alert you when the time is up. This approach will help to ensure that you do not spend too much time or too little time on tasks.

Becoming more efficient doesn’t happen overnight. Therefore, make sure you extend grace to yourself when you have not as productive days as you’d like. Keep working, keep creating, and keep inspiring those who are watching your story unfold.

November 18, 2021
How to Boost Your Attitude to Write Every Day

Updated October 2021

If you’re looking to boost your attitude so you can write every day, then you’ve come to the right place.

The life of a writer can be challenging. Whether you work as a full- or part-time writer, it’s sometimes hard to muster up the courage, strength, and discipline to write every day.

And if all of that is not enough, most writers deal with invisible obstacles like doubt, fear, or negative thoughts.

If this is you, I know how you feel. But these obstacles, especially negative thoughts, are such a waste of time and energy. And let’s be honest, ain’t nobody got time for that.

I adopted the thing as part of my daily writing routine to boost my attitude to write every day: focus on the big picture.

I changed my focus from negative self-talk to the big picture goals I outlined for myself as a writer to boost my attitude. First, I revisit my vision board to see what I outlined for the year. Then, I focus on new ideas that help me write the story I want to tell.

So what steps do I take to focus so I can boost my attitude? In this post, I outline seven steps I take to boost my attitude for writing.

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.

Here are 7 tips on how to boost your attitude to write every day

Tip #1 Sleep

I realize for some people, getting a good night’s sleep is easier said than done. But, for me, all I needed was to make a few adjustments in my bedtime routine.

First, I try to go to bed at the same time every night, Sunday through Thursday (I stay up a little later on Fridays).

Second, I downloaded Calm, a relaxation app, which offers soothing music and bedtime stories to help me sleep.

Finally, I bought the Moonbow Bedphones, wireless sleep headphones that allow me to lay on my side without feeling the pain of an earbud in my ear.

Moonbow Bedphones

Tip #2 – Eating

Another crucial area that offers me an attitude adjustment is what I eat. Since adopting a Pescatarian diet six years ago, I feel much better. In addition, eating more fruits and vegetables has helped a lot.

But, full confession, I’m in love with sugar. So I decided to watch Dr. Mark Hyman, who offers excellent advice in his books, Food: What the Heck Should I Eat? and Food: What the Heck Should I Cook?

As a result, reducing my sugar intake gives me more energy throughout the day to get more writing done.

Tip #3 – Physical activity

Even if I only have 30 minutes, I like to include a workout as part of my morning routine.  Research shows exercise improves body image, self-esteem, and mental health. So after being inside writing for a long time, I go for a walk. The walk gives me a boost of energy and helps me reflect on my day or stir up ideas about my latest projects.

Tip #4 – Keep an idea notebook

Since I come up with ideas all day, I love keeping an idea notebook. It’s an excellent way for me to get my thoughts out of my head and on paper. I used to write my ideas everywhere – Post-it Notes, sheets of paper, and the back of napkins. Using a notebook helps me organize my thoughts. Any notebook will do the trick. This Bright Ideas Journal is full of color, but Kraft Paper Notebooks work just as well.

Tip #5 – Connect with other creatives

In addition to client meetings and coaching sessions, I love meeting with other creatives. The life of the solopreneur can be lonely. Meeting with other creatives – either in person or online – inspires me and helps me return to my writing projects with fresh ideas. A few weeks ago, I joined ProBlogger’s FREE 7-Day Content Sprint Course.  It was great meeting Problogger Darren Rouse and other creatives each night for seven days. Not only was Darren gracious enough to share his knowledge about writing blog posts, but it was great to see comments from other bloggers. I came away from those sessions inspired and ready to write new content.

Tip #6 – Make time for play dates

Throughout my career in public relations and corporate communications, there have always been deadlines. Some days were more demanding than others. The same is still true now that I run my own business. I learned the hard way that all work and no play make me unfocused and uncreative. Sometimes giving my writing a boost means going for a bike ride or playing a game with family and friends.

Tip #7 – Unplug by not doing any writing

Sometimes the best thing I can do for my writing is to take a break from writing. On the days that I unplug, I don’t write or work. My laptop is off, and I move work out of my mind. The break allows me to rest and return to my writing refreshed.

For some, writing every day comes easily. But for me, I can remember days of not being in the mood to write.

In those moments, I readjust my mindset to focus on the big picture. I quickly ask myself, ‘Why am I writing? What’s the result of my work as a writer?’

Does it take effort? Yes. But it is so worth it.

How do you boost your attitude to write? Let me know in the comments.

If you found this post helpful, please share it with others. Thanks!

October 7, 2021