This is a three part post on time management for writers.
The story so far: I am watching two little children, ages 2 and 4 weeks old, for free. I stress the “for free” part, not because I want any kudos (the path to charity being its own reward), but because many work-from-home mommies need extra income and that isn’t what this article is about. This is more in-line with any parent who has a young child, and needs to squeeze out some extra time for themselves.
With anything in life, the more prepared you are, the better off you’ll be … at least usually. So today, I am going to focus on what works for me.
Go to Bed and Get Up at the Same Time
This one is particularly hard for me, because I have a caffeine addiction and I usually make the mistake of drinking Coke at supper, which kills my sleeping habits. But I’m also a habitual early morning person. Going to bed late, of course, means that I always get up late. And getting up late kills my day.
I’ve enacted a strict, no-caffeine policy after noon and I’ve become religious about going to bed at the same time each night, resulting in waking up fresh and ready to start my day.
To-Do Lists are Your Friend
I keep a notepad by my bedside for any last minute stuff that I want to jot down. I also have a master calendar that I pencil in engagements, things that I have to do, and other stuff. If I write them down, I don’t think about them. I dedicate time later, when it is more appropriate, to think about them.
If Nothing Else, Schedule Time for Your Writing
This one works for those who have a very tight schedule, or for people who like to/have to keep schedules. I’m not a schedule keeper, but I know this works for some of my friends.
Prioritize Your Writing
I’ve found in my life that if I really don’t want to do something, then I habitually procrastinate. Sometimes I do want something, in the case of my writing, but I procrastinate anyway. However, if I consciously make it my number one priority, then it will happen. Why? Because I want it to happen.
What other ways can you prepare?
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March 8, 2011 at 11:37 am
V.V. Denman
I’ve started getting up at 4:30 or 5:00 each morning. Turns out it works great for me. I do most of my writing then, when it’s still quiet in the house.
March 12, 2011 at 11:22 am
Mandi Kang
I love doing work in the early morning, although I’ve learned that all the to-do items of the upcoming day distract me and I can’t write very well. So I write in the mid-morning, after my work is done, but before children arrive.