Struggling to find time to write? These simple strategies will help you be more productive
Are you staring at a blank page or screen, wishing for more hours in the day to write?
What if I told you that being a productive writer doesn’t need to be so daunting. With some simple adjustments to your workflow and daily habits, you can squeeze more writing time out of each day.
l’m going to share my favourite productivity hacks for writing with you.
These tricks have helped me write 10 times more words per day without feeling overwhelmed. You’ll learn strategies for minimising distractions, leveraging short bursts of focus, and eliminating time-wasting tasks.
By the end, you’ll be able to craft a daily writing schedule that works for you. You’ll find newfound focus and motivation to tackle your writing goals. So let’s dive in!
Key Takeaways
- Use the Pomodoro Technique to maximise focus during writing sprints
- Batch similar tasks like research and editing to avoid context switching
- Create a consistent morning writing ritual to start the day productively
- Schedule writing time on your calendar and avoid double booking
- Leverage short breaks for writing, like commutes and waiting in lines
- Minimise distractions by blocking websites and turning off notifications
- Automate routines to free up creative time for higher-value work
- Build writing into your daily habits, like waking up early or jotting down ideas during TV ads
- Overcome writer’s block by freewriting, taking walks, or revisiting past notes
Use the Pomodoro Technique for Highly-Focused Writing Sprints
One of the most effective ways to maximise your writing time is with the Pomodoro Technique. The basic concept is that you work for intense 25-minute periods and then take brief 5-minute breaks.
During the “pomodoro” (the 25-minute interval), you focus solely on writing without any distractions. Put your phone in another room, close unnecessary tabs, and get into a dedicated “writing zone.”
Then, during the short breaks, you can check social media, respond to emails, or grab a snack. Taking micro-breaks like this helps you avoid burnout and stay focused when you’re working.
Over time, you’ll be able to write more words per session as your focus improves. I aim for 4 pomodoros per writing session, taking longer breaks every 2 hours as needed. It’s amazing how much you can get done in just 100 minutes!
Batch Similar Tasks to Minimise Context Switching
We all have non-writing tasks that take up valuable time, like research, outlining, editing, or administrative work. The key is batching similar tasks together to avoid constantly switching contexts.
For example, dedicate one afternoon per week to researching and taking notes for your current writing project. Block out time on another day for administrative tasks like email, scheduling, and bookkeeping.
Batch editing all occurs in one focused session. Outline your next few articles over the weekend. This allows you to stay fully immersed in each task without context switching. Your brain stays in the optimal “flow” state much longer.
Create a Morning Writing Ritual
Many successful writers swear by having a consistent morning writing routine. Our willpower and focus are highest first thing in the day before distractions set in.
A simple morning ritual could be: making coffee, reviewing your to-do list, and writing for 90 minutes. No checking email or social media until you’ve hit your word count goal.
By writing first, you guarantee productive writing time when your energy levels are up. It also helps you start the day feeling accomplished before life’s demands take over. Stick with a morning routine and your writing will thrive.
Use Scheduling Software to Block Off Writing Time
One problem we writers face is having our time taken over by less crucial tasks. To prevent this, block out dedicated writing time using a calendar scheduling tool.
I recommend Calendly or Google Calendar. Schedule writing sessions like important meetings that you won’t double-book. Block out multi-hour chunks for long-form writing and 90-minute slots for shorter articles.
Colour-coding helps at a glance. For example, code-writing sessions are in green, and meetings are in blue. This simple step holds you accountable and protects your focus. Out of time? Tough—get back to it tomorrow!
Leverage Short Bursts of Downtime for Writing
Jot Down Notes and Ideas During Commutes
Whether commuting via public transit, walking, or driving, these daily transitions can offer unexpected writing opportunities. Keep a notebook in your bag or notes app on your phone.
During commutes, jot down snippets overheard on the bus, outlines for blog posts, or plot points for stories. Capture fleeting ideas before they fade. Arriving at your destination, you’ll have a head start on the writing tasks ahead.
Write in Line at the Grocery Store
We’ve all wasted time scrolling social media feeds while waiting. Instead, pull up a notes document to draft during brief line-ups. Even 5–10 minutes of writing adds up over time.
Jot character profiles at the pharmacy, plot outlines at the bank ATM, or scene descriptions at the post office. Any moment you’d normally be idle is a chance to make progress.
Dictate Drafts During Household Chores
Multitask writing into everyday activities like cooking, cleaning, or exercising. Dictate first drafts, outlines, or notes using voice recognition software.
Programmes like Dragon Naturally Speaking transcribe your speech into text in real-time. Just speak and your writing gets done while you fold laundry or go for a walk. It’s a productivity win-win.
Minimise Time-Wasting Distractions
Use Apps to Block Distracting Websites
It’s too easy to mindlessly surf when we mean to write. Apps like Cold Turkey or Freedom block your access to time-sucking sites for a set period of time.
During writing sessions, use them to block social networks, news sites, or other common distractions. Out of sight is out of mind, keeping you laser-focused on the task at hand.
Turn Off Notifications Across Devices
Push notifications, dings, and buzzes constantly pull our attention away from focus. During writing time, turn them all off on your computer, phone, and other devices.
Stop using Slack, email, and messaging services so that each new alert won’t distract you. You’ll stay in a deep focus “flow” much easier without constant interruptions.
Use the Pomodoro Technique for Deep Work
As mentioned earlier, the Pomodoro Technique is ideal for tackling writing projects. Use it to schedule blocks of distraction-free “deep work” where you can fully immerse in writing.
During pomodoros, turn off Wi-Fi on your devices if needed. Get into a dedicated writing zone without any possibility of straying to less important tasks. Your focus and productivity will soar.
Automate Routines to Free Up Creative Time
Set Up Template Email Responses
Does answering the same questions over and over eat into your writing time? Create template responses that you can quickly personalise.
For example, draft a template for common client or reader enquiries or another for a thank-you note after interviews. With a few clicks, you can respond without much thought.
Schedule Social Media Posts in Advance
Rather than constantly checking social networks, batch create engaging posts and schedule them to publish automatically each week.
Tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, and Later let you queue up posts days or weeks in advance with a few clicks. Free up your time and stay focused on writing instead of social media management.
Outsource Tedious Tasks to Virtual Assistants
Many small tasks consume our energy but don’t require our unique skills. Consider outsourcing lower-priority work to free up your bandwidth.
For example, hire a virtual assistant to handle administrative tasks like data entry, scheduling, transcription, or social media engagement. Focus on high-value writing and creative work while others handle the grunt work.
Build Writing Into Your Daily Routine
Wake Up 30 Minutes Early to Write
If mornings are already packed, try waking up a bit earlier for writing time before the day starts. Even 30 extra minutes of focus can yield pages of content.
The pre-dawn hours offer a rare moment of stillness and focus. Use it to draft, edit previous work, or plan your day’s tasks. You’ll feel a sense of progress each morning.
Write During TV Commercial Breaks
Watching a show while scrolling your phone wastes valuable minutes per episode. Instead, pull up a document during ads to draft scenes or blog post ideas.
Even jotting notes for 5 minutes per break adds up over an hour-long show. It’s a no-brainer way to squeeze writing into everyday routines.
Carry a Notebook to Capture Ideas Anywhere
Ideas can strike at any moment—in the shower, standing in line, or on a walk. Keep a small notebook and pen with you always to jot down fleeting thoughts, characters, or plot points wherever you are.
By immediately capturing ideas rather than forgetting them, your notebook becomes a treasure trove of writing inspiration over time. Review it regularly for fresh material.
Got Questions?
How do I find time to write if I have a busy schedule?
The key is identifying small windows of time throughout your day that you can use for writing, like commutes, waiting in lines, or commercial breaks. Also, block out dedicated writing time on your calendar for important meetings.
How can I stay focused and avoid procrastination?
Use the Pomodoro Technique to work in intense bursts without distractions. Also, try minimising notifications and blocking distracting websites during writing sessions. Having a consistent morning or daily writing routine also helps you prioritise focus.
How do I motivate myself to write regularly?
Find what intrinsically motivates you, like connecting with readers or working towards a long-term goal. Celebrate small wins to build momentum. Also, try gamifying your writing by setting daily/weekly word count targets or using productivity apps. Accountability from writing groups or a writing buddy can also keep you on track.
How do I overcome writer’s block or a lack of ideas?
If ideas aren’t flowing, try freewriting to get words on the page without judging them. You can also go for a walk to let your subconscious mind wander for inspiration. Revisiting story outlines, character profiles, or past notes can also spark new directions. Don’t get frustrated—sometimes stepping away and engaging with other activities helps ideas return.
What tools do you recommend for writers?
Some great free or low-cost tools include: Google Docs/Drive for collaborative writing; Calendly for scheduling writing time; Evernote for organising research; Grammarly for editing; Scrivener for long-form projects; and Hemingway Editor to refine prose style.
Summing Up
As you can see, improving your writing productivity doesn’t require a huge time investment—just some small adjustments to your daily habits and routines. The strategies covered here, like using the Pomodoro technique, batching tasks, and automating workflows, have helped me squeeze far more writing into my days.
Try experimenting with different methods to see what sticks for your lifestyle and preferences. Don’t worry if you slip up at first—consistency is key. With practice, these productivity hacks will become second nature and allow your writing to truly thrive. I hope you find some new ideas to apply immediately. Now get out there and start boosting your writing productivity!
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