Our community often asks:
“I love writing but never make time to do it. Any tips on how to shift this pattern?”
At Get It Done, we believe that making time to write can be as simple as 1, 2, 3.
1. Create the time you need.
You want to write a series of essays? A collection of poems? A book?
You have to free up time to write.
Already have free time on your calendar? Great! Move on to the next step.
Your schedule is packed? We encourage you to get curious about where you’re spending your time.
Maybe you can ask your partner, teenager, or roommate to help out with tasks or errands you typically manage but could easily delegate. Reclaiming just a few hours a week could be plenty to make progress on your writing.
You can make small changes, too. They add up! Perhaps you spend less time on social media, only check your email once a day, or get your groceries delivered. All good options for finding extra time.
No matter how you plan to free up some time, talk to your family. Be honest about what you need. You might be surprised how supportive they are!
2. Create a calm, distraction-free writing space.
Find a comfortable, inspiring spot. You might have a dedicated writing room equipped with everything you need. You might enjoy writing outside on the patio. Maybe you like the quiet energy of the library. Or maybe you claim a cozy corner of the dining room table.
If you can, clear away the clutter. Set the papers and magazines and unopened mail aside. Bonus points for making your writing space a phone-free zone.
If it’s helpful to you, beautify your spot. Plants, photos, your favorite pens — all wonderful additions. There’s something about creating a beautiful workspace that says, “I’ve got this. I’m writing!”
3. Create (and stick to) a schedule.
You’ve made time. You’ve made space. Now, make a schedule.
We encourage you to put writing time on your calendar. That makes it official — and makes it much more likely you’ll follow through.
Treat your writing time just like a doctor’s appointment, a coffee date with your best friend, or your Sunday night dinner with your family. That’s sacred time! You have to protect it! Your writing time is no different.
We promise. If you stick to your schedule and are mindful about committing to your practice, you’ll make progress on your writing.
And remember: It’s important to make time to write. You have 15 minutes? Use it. You have two hours? Amazing! The Great American Novel isn’t written in a day. But the next New York Times bestseller could be written in the pockets of time you fiercely carve out.