Recently, I reprioritized the goals in my life and decided I needed more time for “non-writing” activities. So, I cut my weekly word count goal from 10,000 words per week to 5,000 words per week.
The theory was it would free up approximately 50% of the time I had previously spent writing.
I was wrong. Halving my word count goal freed up about 80% of my writing time. Yes, that’s right. I write half as many words as I used to, but in about 20% of the time it used to take.
You see, I had committed a cardinal mistake in my prior approach to productivity—defining it primarily in terms of “number of words written.” Implicit in that definition was the assumption “regardless of how much time it takes,” and oh boy, did it take a lot of time. I achieved my word count, but it was always at a high cost (mostly of sleep.)
What made it different this time?
My day is more precisely scheduled. Instead of just working through a long To Do list, I actually schedule when things are going to get done. The schedule sets a starting and ending time for each activity, including writing.
Instead of being willing to spend as long as it takes to get my word count, my mental attitude has shifted to, “I have precisely ONE HOUR to write at least 500 words.”
The goals are much more bite-sized. 500 words per day isn’t in the least bit scary. 1,000 words can feel like a hurdle. If I miss a day, catching up is also far easier. By making the goal smaller, I also eliminated the stress and performance anxiety that accompanied it.
Five years into my career as an author, I’m still amazed by all the new things I learn about writing better and writing faster. I finally feel like I own my writing instead of it owning me. My lifestyle finally looks sustainable and feels balanced (and if it means four new releases a year instead of six, oh well, c’est la vie.)
I’m reminded of my husband’s favorite quote: If you’re not growing, you’re dying.
Keep experimenting; keep learning; keep changing. Most importantly, keep growing. It’s going to be a great year!
Peter Guinta
Great idea. I’ve been stumbling along trying to figure how to get more writing time. This could work.
My biggest obstacle has been my dog. Spanky, a year-old Boston terrier, wants to play or go for walks all the time. So just when I seem to get on a groove writing, he comes up with a toy or look that says, “Pay attention to me!”
I say no and he sighs and waits. Perhaps being a writer’s dog is an affliction, like fleas.
Linda Carpenter
Great post!
Wynsum Wise
I’ve been struggling with the similar issues — project-based or time-based management. Since I’m writing historical fiction, a lot of my time is eaten by research. So I schedule time for research and a separate time for writing. Still experimenting on getting a balance. Keep my posted on how it’s working.