Productive Writing Schedules.
Written By: Sierra Cassity
Routines provide us with structure and stability. Allowing our mental and physical health to stay within healthy parameters, as well as giving us a sense of control over our lives.
Committing to a writing routine is no easy task. We all have busy lives. But research has shown when we wait to feel like writing we are less productive. And that waters who keep to a routine have found better success in finishing their projects. here are some steps you can take to find your routine.
Consider when you are at your most productive. Are you more of a morning, mid-day, or night person? Do you have time outside of work or only on your off days where you feel more motivated than others?
These ae important questions to answer before setting up a routine. Yo want to choose a time when you will be naturally motivated with your mental state.
For myself this is between 5-7PM on any given day.
Then, you should set up a writing environment that works for you. Do you need complete solitude, or would you rather sip a coffee at the local cafe as you write? Set up at the local library to avoid feeling isolated, sit with your laptop on the couch, get comfy.
I have a large wooden desk in from of windows that showcase my backyard. I can write while my kids play and feel like I am included in their lives as well as creating my own.
Next, set a timer. During this time, you should try to write without stopping. This includes the waitress or answering toddler questions. When you lose concentration, it can take a while to warm back up to the speed and creativity you were working with beforehand.
I do understand that sometimes it is unavoidable and that is okay. It’s perfectly okay to take time to talk to people, just understand that when you sit back down to continue writing it may take some time to get back into the groove.
Stick with the schedule you’ve created. Once you’ve got you routine down, you will want to stick with it! Being Abel to say ‘no’ will help you keep to deadlines as well as set some healthy boundaries with people. This is your time and nobody gets to mess with that.
Set a goal or two! Try a short-term goal of 200 words each day and a long-term goal of a complete draft.
When setting goals you should reward yourself when you meet them. You did it! Time for a sweet treat or some time off when you hit that long-term goal.
