Five Strategies for Time Management Skills in Writing

Louise B. reports:

"If you have a home office, that’s great! You’re already ahead of the game. Take advantage of home-office space by locking the door and hunkering down to write...Consider creating a writing space in the corner of your living room, dinning room, or den; a sturdy desk and a comfortable chair are really all you need. If working at home creates too many distractions, bring your laptop to the local library, your favorite coffee shop, or even a city park...[M]ake a to-do list and prioritize your time...Do what is most important first! Finishing a project that pays the bills should take precedence over your favorite TV shows, online window shopping, or a closet-cleaning marathon...Savvy full-time writers know they need to spend the bulk of their day on writing assignments or marketing their writing services. If you write part-time, it might take more effort to schedule a block of time to write. You may need to schedule your writing time around your family’s schedule or another part-time job...If this is your situation, consider waking up an hour or two earlier, or work late in the evening after everyone else is in bed...At the start of each day, ask yourself what you want to accomplish as a writer. Setting concrete, achievable goals...will keep you focused. When you adhere to your list of writing goals, you know what you have to do and you won’t waste time jumping from task to task...It’s a good idea to carry a small notebook with you. (Similarly, you should make liberal use of your phone’s Notes app.) During those 'throwaway' chunks of time, jot down marketing ideas, article pitches for clients, or the beginning of a short story...Stealing a few minutes here and there is another way to find time to write. A writing routine helps freelance writers who struggle to find time to write. By following these tips and reminding yourself of your goals, you’ll make the time necessary to prioritize writing."