How to Not Waste Time and Write More | Guest Post

Do you ever wish you could be writing more, but you just don’t have the time? Do you believe that writing is what God wants you to do, but you can’t seem to fit it in your schedule? Can you never make it to writing that 1,000 words or more in a day?

You’re not the only one. I often wish I could have more time in the day to write.

Eliminate social media and cut down on texting for a week

Occasionally, some of my family does an electronic detox. Little to no electronics for a week or two, to break a growing addiction or free up some time for more productive activities. We replace the “electric time” with things like crafts, reading, or schoolwork.

Challenge yourself to write instead of scroll through social media. If you don’t want to eliminate texting/messaging for a week, limit it to necessary conversations.

If you need to be on social media for business, schedule it for only 20-30 minutes a day AFTER you’ve written to a fair goal (500 or 1,000 words).

Start early

Get up earlier and spend fifteen or so minutes to get ready for the day. Don’t forget to spend some time in God’s Word and prayer.

When you’re ready, make a plan for your writing for the day and your household tasks while you eat breakfast. Set 20 minute timers to work on your tasks until they’re done, drinking water or doing really small tasks in between.

I don’t recommend writing in between, simply because you might get on a roll and neglect or forget your tasks, which isn’t wise.

Be diligent in your responsibilities

What does diligent mean? According to Webster’s 1828 dictionary, diligence is the contstant effort to accomplish what is undertaken, without unnecessary delay or sloth, and with care. It’s being intentional and focused on your tasks and responsibilities until they’re completed or met.

If you have household chores or other duties, get those done ASAP. Maybe get up early to clean your room before breakfast, and finish as much school as you can before lunch. Do your chores before your told, and get back to school as soon as you can.

Diligence can get you through your duties faster, because you’re not getting distracted, and you get it done right the first time. Since you get through that work faster, you can free up more time for writing.

Take productive breaks

There’s this thing called burnout. You write and write and write until you just can’t anymore… for a long time. It’s writing till you drop, and that simply isn’t healthy.

Writers need breaks, just like a retail worker needs a break, or an office worker needs the weekend. Be okay with taking a break, even just for twenty minutes. Do something that doesn’t have anything to do with your writing project. Something just for fun, while still being productive.

Walk to the mailbox or play a chess game with your siblings. Paint or read a physical book if you’ve been writing on electronics. Read one or two posts from an encouraging blog if you’ve been writing by hand. Or even do the next part of your chores if it’s something like laundry.

You might be confused that I put painting, playing chess, and reading under productive activities. Being productive doesn’t necessarily yield a practical/physical result. There are some activities that “stimulate” your mind and exercise your creative abilities.

Yes, writing is a creative expression. But art and games exercise a different side of the creativity God gave us. While we can form pictures in our minds with words, we can make those pictures into something actually visible. And, depending on what games you play, can build your strategic “left-brain”.

Then there’s always the old saying, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” It shouldn’t be an excuse to not work, but we aren’t supposed to be workaholics. We need to rest sometime, and if we can grow in diligence, taking small breaks to do something purely fun should be all right.

Conclusion

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men.” ~ Colossians 3:23.

Diligence and right motives are really the key to getting more done. As Christians, we need to surrender to God’s greater will, and He will use us greatly even in the normal day-to-day.

I’m definitely not the most productive person. But we can work together. ❤

Which [step] are you going to try this week? And don’t worry about it being perfect. We can’t get everything perfect the first time, habits especially.

Everytime you fail, just get right back up and start over. It might be a good idea to challenge yourself to go a week without failing. If you slip up, get right back up and start over, until it becomes a habit.

I look forward to seeing you next time! Love,

I’m A. Y. Daniels, a crazy girl with a heart for exciting, sweet, and encouraging stories. I’m a horse-crazy, paperholic, and generally insane writer. When I’m not writing, you can find me working through my biology course, skimming through random books, or painting with acrylics! I enjoy helping writers so I share tips and ideas on my blog, https://thejourneytowrite.wordpress.com.

Your turn!

Do you take breaks from your writing? What ways do you find rejuvenating and refreshing? What is your biggest time waster? Be sure to check out my post on her blog as well!

Blessings, Allyson

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