Are you struggling to find enough time to write?
Our lives can become busy with work and personal commitments. It can be difficult to carve out the time we need to do the things we love. Here are 7 practical tips that will help you find a bit more time each day.
Pick the right time
If you are always busy, look at the dead zones in your day. The times you are commuting to and from work or taking a lunch break. When you are waiting for an appointment or picking the kids up from school you can use those precious minutes to write.
Carry your tools with you
Have something to write in or write on; a tablet, the notes ap on your phone, a notebook. Find whatever works for you and keep it in your bag for those times you can sneak in some extra writing. If you have got your tools with you at all times you can get to work.
Trade time
If you have kids you will understand how hard it can be to get a few hours to yourself, let alone time to write. If you are a single parent it is even harder. Trading time is a guilt-free way to get some quiet hours to yourself. Put in a time request with your partner, work out a time where he/she can take the kids out for a few hours and you can do the same for them. Ask a friend if you could do a playdate swap every few weeks. You’ll be surprised how open people are to the idea.
Say no more often
If you want to write more, it must become a priority. If you have a busy social life on top of family and community commitments, start saying no more often. We are told we need a healthy balance of community and people engagement for our health and wellbeing, but we also need to invest time in the things that give us fulfilment. Don’t feel guilty about saying no so you can spend more time doing what you love.
Eliminate distractions
Writing can be difficult to do with a lot of background noise and distractions. Finding a quiet space to write is important. Switch off the email and turn your phone to silent. If you have a quiet room you can set up as your own that’s even better.
Cancel out the noise
If you have the means, noise cancelling headphones could be just what you need. They cut down outside noise and can help you get in the zone no matter where you are writing.
Set yourself a goal
The only way to stay on task is by setting yourself a goal. Be realistic. You don’t need to smash it out of the park. Set yourself a small target and watch the progress take shape. You can increase your productivity by 25% if you set yourself a goal.
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