Steps toward a more productive writing day

After interviewing Ann Johnson, CEO of Wild Iris Medical Education, I felt inspired to jot down a few things that may help other nurses out there establish a few good habits to support their writing. If you didn’t listen to the episode yet, Keith and I discussed with Ann about the potential for other nurses out there to write content for her CEU company. This could definitely be a great collaborative relationship to help jumpstart your freelance writing career.

As I am sure we’re all aware, writing from home can be a difficult task. There are always other things that seem to take your attention away from the actual task of writing. It’s important that you make your writing a priority in your life. Here are a few simple tips to follow so you can create more time for your writing.

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1. Wake up to a fine-tuned to-do list

A full to-do list that is scribbled on a ripped sheet of paper won’t exactly be motivating to you when you wake up in the morning. Before you go to sleep, think of the five things that would really like to accomplish the next day. Write neatly instead of scribbling, and you don’t necessarily need to use paper that looks formal, but it should certainly allow plenty of room so that your to-do list flows and even allows for a few notes in the margin. Make it fun and find a selection of paper that you feel most aligns with your personality. It’s really just a given, but you’ll be more inspired to accomplish items on your to-do list if it doesn’t look like a mess. If you’re an all digital kind of person like me, then try switching up your font when you type your list. Simple and potentially effective.

2. Reduce distractions

Turn off the Internet while you’re writing that is unless you really need it to research your topic. At the very least close out those Facebook and Twitter tabs on your browser so you’re not tempted to “check-in.”  You will reduce the distractions you are faced with immensely with that one small change. You should allow yourself a break, and if you want to check your email or chat with a friend during your break, feel free to do that. Just make sure to set a well defined and realistic time limit to be on that break.

I understand that if many of you out there are working long shifts, the chores at home are probably piling up and yet another distraction that you face. Chores seem to be never-ending, but you don’t have to put them ahead of your writing. Writing is your job, not the chores. Schedule this time as if you were leaving for work. What would your family members do if you were in fact at the “office?” You are at the office, it just so happens to exist within your home. This leads to tip number three.

3. Ask for help

You can’t do it all. No one can. Unfortunately, there are plenty of us out here that often take on more than they can handle. People, even children, are capable of doing more things for themselves than they are willing to admit to. Make the decision that you will no longer do for other people what they can do for themselves. Decide that you will ask for more help with chores around the house. Being part of a family means that everyone does their share. The next time someone asks for a favor that you know they can do themselves, just respectfully say no. They might not be happy that you’re suddenly not so agreeable, but it’s time to put you first. When you’re willing to drop your work whenever someone asks, they will see your work as unimportant. Asking for more help will give you more time to write.

4. Set specific long-term and short-term goals

To create better to-do lists it helps to know what goals you are working toward. When initially taking on this new role, it’s okay to focus on just getting through the day. Hey, you should be doing that anyway. Remember that to-do list in step 1? Make that a daily task. You’ll obviously start to think into the future and what you’d like to have accomplished in one, five and ten years. Those daily check-ins with your to-do list (short-term goals) will help keep you on track to meet those long-term goals.

5. Create a schedule

If you are overwhelmed with all of the tasks you must do as a writer, create a schedule. You can spend quite a bit of time emailing editors and site owners, submitting articles, posting on your own site, and don’t forget about marketing your work. Decide that you’ll assign each task a day. Don’t try to do a little of everything each day. It will take you longer to accomplish what you’re trying to do if you stop and move onto another task before you’re finished. If you decide that you will dedicate Monday mornings to emailing editors, focus on that. Then you can write knowing that you successfully completed that task. The next morning you can focus on a different task.

Now get out there and share your knowledge and stories.