This is the second in a series of articles containing strategies for putting your brain to work for you so you can author your first book…and your second…and your third…and your--You get the idea.
• Set specific, measurable goals regarding time. Schedule two 1.5 hour blocks of writing time each week, for example, after considering the impact on others and accommodating your schedule. Writing daily for 15 minutes may be a reasonable and attainable goal.
• Take 15 minutes a day as reflective time or I.G.A. time (Idea Generating Activity Time). Think about what you are working on and record all ideas that come to you during this time. In this situation you are writing ideas not content but the content will come later.
• Invite your friends to have coffee and treats with you. Tell them in advance you want their input on some ideas you have for your book. Pay for their coffee and “harvest” their thoughts. This motivates you to write and enhances your commitment to the process. Remember that reflection and I.G.A. activities are an integral part of the writing process.
• Write when you need to! Drop everything and write when the time is right or the situation demands it. Don’t feel guilty! You can forgo other jobs and responsibilities you should have been doing and do them later. If others can do this then why can’t you?
• Use your time more efficiently by having all the materials you need for writing in one location so you can just sit down at any time and write. Whenever you end one authoring session you should automatically prepare the catalyst material to begin the next. This includes being very specific about the topic and key words to begin writing immediately upon sitting down. You will save 10 to 15 or more minutes per session when you prepare in advance. Take 5 minutes to get ready at the end of each session to prepare for the next one, and save writing time for the next session.
•Treat the time you take for writing as “re-creational” time. It’s writing time that energizes you and makes your life more worthwhile. Tell others how important writing time is for you. They will help you find time to write.
• Make a pact with your spouse or significant other to trade large blocks of time so each of you can pursue your individual interests. This removes any conflicts and any guilt feelings about using large amounts of time for writing.
• Prioritizing is a key to successfully reaching your goals in life. Making writing one of your priorities and advertising that plan of yours will open up possibilities to write more. Others respect what you value if they value your friendship.
• Think Big Picture. Your daily “to-do list” cannot govern your life. Authoring a book is a Big Picture item. Taking time out just to think and reflect and plan is okay. It will motivate you to write. Go for a bike ride or a walk in the woods to help you keep focused on the Big Picture. Remember that writing is the doing part of thinking. Give yourself time to think and reflect.
There is a third set of tips in this series. The best advice I can give you is simply to start putting one or two of these strategies into practice, then add another one or two. Do the ones that are the most powerful for you in your life first.
"What If You Could Author A Best Seller in Less Than 12 Hours of Actual Writing and Gain Instant Access To A
How? By Following This Simple, Proven System for Authoring Success.
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