Motivation and Time Management

[Grace H.]

Hi everyone! I’m guessing that most of us are busy most of the time, and it can be hard to find time to write regularly.

For people who find time to write on a regular basis (even if its short) how do you keep yourself focused and motivated and productive during those times?

It's g-h, 2-4-6-8 twice, three 9's
literatureforthelight.wordpress.com

[Daeus]

@gh24682468999 I like to commit myself to write till I reach a certain goal. Either for  30min-1hr or till I write 500 words. Nothing too big, or I won’t be able to handle it. Try to write at your peak energy level too. I don’t always get the chance, but I like to write in the morning, and I always write in the afternoon. The evening is when my brain starts to run low, so the more writing I can get done earlier, the better. I also outline my chapters before I write them so I’m no stuck there thinking, “What’s going to happen next?” Actually, I still think that, but it’s not so bad. 😉

That help?

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

[Snapper]

@gh24682468999

I set an amount of words that I need to write each day. Usually, that’s 1000 words, which can be anywhere from 15 mins of writing to an hour.

To keep from getting distracted, I close out of internet explorers and google, although sometimes that doesn’t work. Just so long as I reach 1000 words a day. (it doesn’t have to be that much for you, of course. That’s just how I pace myself)

If you find yourself distracted by other things, such as drawing or reading, then you can put those away and ignore them till your done writing.

Another thing I’ve been trying to do more often are writing sprints. Basically just 5 to 10 minutes of just writing and nothing else. To keep myself accountable to that, I don’t go by clock, looking at the time every so minutes. Because that in itself is distraction. Instead, I set a timer, that will go off in however long. Those really force you to write. 😀

And then there’s 4thewords. I haven’t used it in a while because my free trial ran out and I haven’t gotten motivated enough to pay for the next month of usage, but it’s basically an online videogame for writers. You can write freely, as it keeps track of how long you write to the very second, or you can fight various monsters. You have to defeat these monsters with a certain amount of words in a certain amount of time, and I found that to double my writing speed and accountability. Instead of writing 1000 words in an hour, I wrote 1000 words in half-an-hour.
Hm… Yeah, I need to get back to that. XD 😀

Hope this helps! 😀

☀ ☀ ☀ ENFP ☀ ☀ ☀

[The fledgling Artist]

@gh24682468999

Something I find helpful when setting goals is to make sure the goal is realistic. If I set a goal that I know isn’t going to happen I find that I don’t put much effort into it. So if I set a smaller goal that is realistic I find that I get more done then if I set a bigger goal that I don’t think I can tackle.

Also it’s scientifically proven that the later in the day you go the less disciplined people are. So I would suggest getting to work ASAP 🙂 Even if you can’t start writing till 9 pm you shouldn’t wait till 10 pm or later to start!
Sorry for being so ramble ..y
Hopefully something I said was helpful to someone. 😉

and I was so confused

[itisastarrynight]

Ah, motivation and time management.. my greatest nemesis’es’…..
*reads article*  *procrastinates*

I can't believe it's not butter!

[Grace H.]

@daeus Yes that’s really helpful!

@dragon-snapper WHOA 1000 words a day… *claps* I tried 700 a day last summer and it overworked my brain. Also, I’ve previously stumbled upon a website that seems to be the simplified version of 4thewords: http://cerey.github.io/fighters-block/ (and, it’s free). I may try out the free trial of 4thewords, so thanks for that and for all your advice!

@notawriter The later in the day thing makes sense… except for the five minutes right after I get out of bed 🙂 🙂 Thanks a lot!

@itisastarrynight Yep!!

Also, I briefly read these replies earlier today, and actually was able to sit down and write 500+ words in a single sitting, so thanks all 😀

It's g-h, 2-4-6-8 twice, three 9's
literatureforthelight.wordpress.com

[The fledgling Artist]

@gh24682468999

Yay! *claps* *throws confetti*

and I was so confused

[Author]

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