Creating a stable writing routine can be challenging. Other daily tasks can take priority and easily be justified, such as a “day job”, kids, chores, and time with friends and family. It is especially tricky if writing is not your primary occupation, so you are trying to fit writing in your schedule on the side of a full-time job, or even multiple jobs. Whether you are a best-selling author, published journalist, completing posts for a blog, or writing as a hobby, it is critical to cultivate a writing routine
Step 1 – Find your creativity.
Everyone is different when it comes to creativity. Some people are early risers, and others are night owls, and there is no right or wrong time to get to work. Many people find that they are most creative bright and early, before distractions from family, emails, and daily tasks. Regular work hours are also designed for productivity, with high-energy points in the late morning and early afternoon. Maybe you find that the hours before bedtime are best. Try different times throughout the day to see when your creativity is at its peak, and when you feel energized and motivated.
Step 2 – Divide and conquer.
It can be discouraging to work toward a goal that seems never-ending, for example, writing an entire book or filling a blog with content. Break down your overall goal to set specific, daily tasks that can be crossed off at the end of each work period. You can plan to write for six hours on your day off, but realistically, other things will come up, like family and friends, laundry, or a cold that keeps you in bed. Create a lasting routine with bite-sized tasks that you can fit into your calendar every day .
Step 3 – Use acalendar.
Planning is a must for any person who is tackling a goal. In terms of writing, there should be a slot in your calendar that is blocked out specifically to write. You likely won’t have a spare hour in your day, so you will have to make time by prioritizing. The time you are allotting to the project will vary, where a full-time writer might set a task of ten pages per day, but a part-time blogger may only have one hour to brainstorm and create a layout. Time block and plan ahead with specific tasks, so you know exactly what you are working on each day and when.
Step 4 – Stick to it.
Scheduling is only effective if you stick to your calendar. If you wouldn’t bail on your day job, you shouldn’t miss your scheduled writing time. Treat this time like it is just as important as showing up for work. Accountability is essential, and it can be constructive to keep track of the work that is completed each day. You may even choose toreward yourself in small ways daily or when you reach more significant tasks,like a complete chapter or five blog posts in one week.
Step 5 – Create a habit
Each of these steps isbuilt to result in a habitual writing routine. Your writing time should be uninterrupted, and may require a specific working space that you know is just for writing, such as out of the house at a coffee shop, or in a home office. Just like the gym, it is difficult to start a workout routine, but as you create a habit, your body and mind will expect this part of the day.
Maintaining the Routine
A writing routine is designed to create productive writers that can produce work and reach their goals. Don’t put yourself down for missing one day and getting off track; pick up the next day where you left off. Resetting will be much easier if you find a creative time to work, break down the tasks, plan ahead, stick to a calendar, and build a habit.
