How I Split my Time into 4 Areas to Maximise my Writing Output
We’ve only got so much time — and we need to be clever about how we use it
I’m constantly tweaking the way I spend my time writing.
I’ve tried a lot of different tactics, such as not letting myself leave the desk until I finish an article or writing an article over the course of a week.
For me, finding the right balance is key to ensure my writing is firing on all cylinders.
After finding success and failure with various ways, I came to realise that for my writing to be at it’s finest, I have to split my time properly.
Why?
There are different ways of spending your writing time, and each brings a different type of value to the table.
Here’s the areas I break my time into.
Doing
This is what I like to refer to as the bread and butter of people’s writing time — “doing” the actual writing.
We need this time to actually get articles out the door. It also benefits us personally for a range of reasons —
Getting things done leaves us feeling fulfilled, allows us to see progress and brings us closer to our goals.
For me, I keep an eye on the percentage of my writing time I spend on the “doing”.
I need a lot of time to write, but when I’m uninspired or struggling to write, I end up wasting my time by trying to push on and try to put words on the screen.
Often, we need a break from the doing. We need to get our inspiration back, reinvigorate & maximise our doing time.
Strategising
Personally, I love strategies.
At work, I spend a lot of time strategising our next moves and how we can better our current situation.
However, I also always make time to set and review my writing strategy.
What are my goals?
How am I tracking against my goals?
What am I spending most of my time on?
Is my time being well spent?
Examples of my writing strategy in action is identifying what new topics I am interested in writing about, exploring what ideas I could write about, finding a publication that would match this and forming a plan.
From time to time, take time out of your week/month to think about your own writing strategy.
Everything is easier when we’ve got a compass and a path to follow — writing is the same.
Reading
That’s right — when I want to write something great, I also make time for reading.
It seems somewhat counterintuitive, but reading helps me for a range of reasons.
Keep up with new trends/ideas/areas
Understanding more about my wider area of expertise
Finding what is trending with readers
Find new sources of inspiration
And the list goes on.
I do this because we live in a time and age full of change. Readers are wanting different types of content, pieces on new topics and reading through new platforms/publications.
Keeping up with the community you write in and for is a great way to make sure you’re remaining relevant, and on message to what they’re after.
Interacting
Interacting with others helps keep the connection with my readers alive.
Plenty of people take time out of their day to share, comment or like my pieces — and I make a point of trying to interact with them wherever possible.
Plus, by interacting with others, you never know what might come of it.
A new side hustle, a new partnership opportunity on something you’re working on, finding new business deals, making new friends, learning from others.
The best outcomes often come as a result of situations you couldn’t have possibly planned.
Think along the lines of your friend’s cousin introducing you to their step brother’s mate who just happens to need some writing done.
Spending time on interactions is valuable because you never know what might come your way as a result.
That’s how I spend my time writing, and find that it works well for me. Do you spend your time differently? Leave your feedback in the comments below.
Nathan Allsopp is a Sydney-based Product Manager/Designer.
