Time to Write!

 So, now that I’ve uncovered where I can beg, borrow or steal a little time out of my day. (See previous posting) The question is; how do I manage it most effectively?

As I have struggled with consistency in my own writing schedule, I have found three things that are working for me…I hope they will help you too!

Plan. This is critical. Benjamin Franklin said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”.  I have certainly found this to be true in my writing schedule. I now set aside a one hour block of time to plan my upcoming work week. I’ve tried Friday evening when I’m done with my work week, sometime over the weekend and Monday morning. I find early Saturday morning to be my best time. Fridays, I’m usually ready to be through with my work tasks, Sundays are family days and Mondays are usually too hectic. I guarantee the time investment will maximize your productivity throughout your week. Plan whenever works best for you, but don’t fail to plan!

Process. I have a process for my work week. Each day is assigned a different writing task. Some days I work on my novel in progress, other days are set aside for marketing, my blog or short fiction and non-fiction pieces I’m working on. Set up your categories for the writing tasks that you need to accomplish to reach your goals; then assign specific days for each. During my planning time, I decide what task I will work on each day, and make an appointment with myself in my calendar. I also write down two to three action steps I need to take next to reach my goals for the week. I am as specific and detailed as possible. When I have my workdays planned out, then all I have to do, when my writing time comes, is look at my action steps for that day and focus on them for the amount of time I have set aside. Then I’m done.

Pomodoro. Focus. If you haven’t heard of a pomodoro before, check it out here www.pomodorotechnique.com.   This is a very effective time management technique using a kitchen timer, pen and paper. The technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s when he was a college student to help him focus and avoid distractions and interruptions. He used a kitchen timer in the shape of a tomato (pomodoro in Italian) to focus his time. His excellent website includes his free 45 page downloadable book, a cheat sheet, and other free, useful printouts to help you get started. I have found this technique to be very helpful in planning and using my time more efficiently.  Through using this technique, I have also discovered how long different tasks usually take me, and how to budget my time accordingly.

Those are my three P’s for productivity.  Plan, Process and Pomodoro.  P1+P2+P3= P2S (Pathway 2 Success!)

Good Luck! And don’t forget to set your timer.

 

 

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