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How to Make Time to Write: The Two Step Method

Way to make time to writeThe most common question asked by aspiring writers/authors is “how do you find time to write?”

Newsflash

You don’t have to find time. You already have it. 168 delicious hours of it, in fact.
Everyone of us has exactly the same amount.

So, the real question is “How do you organize your time?”

Sorry I don’t have a profound answer nor a magical incantation, but I do have an answer.

You want to write a book, an article, a poem or a blog post?

Try the Two Step Method

You must put BIC and FOK.

Step 1: BIC=Butt in Chair

Even if you did nothing else but sat in a chair for a minimum of two hours a day,
you would get your writing done, provided you ignored distractions of course.

Like actors scampering across a stage, the ideas would eventually flow. You
would have trouble getting them down before they disappeared.

I know what you’re thinking. What about if no ideas or words come?

Still sit there for two hours. The human brain cannot tolerate that much
quiet without thinking thoughts eventually.

Jeff Goins expands on this idea in his article  The Minimalist Secret to Productive
Writing
. He  even displays a photo of a chair in case you needed help with identifying one.

Step 2: FOK=Fingers on Keyboard

You will need to take this step as soon as those ideas begin to
flow since they are apt to make only one appearance.

Feel free to modify this one if you write by longhand or record
your thoughts, or use some other technique.

The bottom line is that you must capture your thoughts, put
them into words, and most important, don’t edit for now.

If you were hoping for something more profound, I’ve listed what a
a few other writers have said about  making time to write.

Tell me about your experience with the Two Step Method.

 

How to Get Things Done

At the start of the year we are most motivated to achieve our goals. And yet, within a few weeks we fall behind and soon many of us completely abandon our goals. Sadly, we slip back into our old habits.

We get a lot of advice about making goals and creating to-do lists, but not enough about the details of actually getting things done.

There are a number of techniques that have worked for others.

Let’s start with the tips you know but do not do,

according to Donald Latumahina from Life Optimizer

1. Rise early
2. Start with the most important task
3. Do not multitask
4. Prevent interruption
5. Actually do what you need to do

Begin from the inside

Meditation, exercise, breathing and even sleep increase productivity
according to the crew at ritholtz

Clean up your website, starting with your pressroom

Joan Stewart, the Publicity Hound, suggests you get out the dust mask
and even Shop-Vac to create an online pressroom you can be proud of.

You’ll want to update old photos, phone numbers, fax numbers, awards,
and other items that are covered with cobwebs.

Read the whole article here.

Monitor daily progress

1. Patterned after a technique used by comedian Jerry Seinfeld, read the description here.

2. Another take on the Seinfeld calendar from Neville’s Financial Blog.

Work on small chunks or a bit a day

1. Look at how New York writer, Jack Cheng, recommends learning in small chunks in 30 Minutes a Day.

2. Try time blocking says Timo Kiander.

Maybe a productivity app for your smart phone will suit you

1. Here are the 15 really popular iPhone productivity apps

2. Here are the 10 great Android apps for productivity.

Finally, in case some important tips weren’t already covered, check out these 10 laws of productivity