So, you have a routine, a set schedule. It’s predictable and safe. You like it and you get things done. Mostly. But that book deadline is creeping up faster than a tropical storm over the Gulf coast, and it’s starting to nag at your brain.
But you have this schedule. You need to stick to it. Right? I mean, we are creatures of habit….
Naw. Flex it.
Don’t be a slave to the schedule. Or rather, know when you need to punt the schedule and temporarily flex your time to meet your goals.
You’ve identified when you are most productive for creative work, and when you can best be productive with business work—but sometimes the best schedules have to be altered, even temporarily, because of imminent tasks. The outside world influences and we must react. And at times, the to-do list gets so overwhelming that even an established routine or schedule doesn’t seem to work.
That’s when you may need to shift priorities and create a temporary new plan, for example:
- Focus all day on one project or subject.
- Get smaller tasks “off your head” to be able to concentrate on the bigger tasks.
- Tackle pressing issues first.
- Tackle the thing you don’t want to do, first. Sometimes getting that out of the way clears the way for more fun things. Having the dreaded deadline looming can sometimes stifle creativity.
My editor and I practice the “one thing rule” when schedules and deadlines get overwhelming. We each message the other early in the day, sharing what our plans are for that day.
· Writing is always a “one thing.”
· We allow one writing or writing business-related thing—for example, yesterday my “biz one thing” was to update my website. Her “biz one thing” was to create blog content.
· We sometimes also share “one personal thing.” That one thing could be things like grocery shopping, laundry, or reading a book.
The point is that sometimes, when things start spinning out of control, the brain needs to focus on one priority—just one thing. Getting that one thing done then leaves the door open for the “next thing.”
Try this idea. Chunk out your day. Be realistic. You know your day, your habits, your personal life, and your work responsibilities. And most importantly, recognize when to flex.
Having a lot of trouble with your writing routine lately? Perhaps try journaling some of these topics:
- What’s the best part of your writing day?
- What’s the worst part?
- When do you have the most energy?
- When do you feel the most/least productive?
- What is pressing RIGHT NOW?
There are more ideas like these in my book Discover Your Write Path to Publishing Success. You can find your copy right here in my bookstore, and the workbook, right here in my bookstore.
