Making Time

Making time. Wouldn’t it be great if we could actually make time?

A lot of writers struggle to make time to write. At the very least, we struggle to make the time to write consistently.

My biggest writing obstacle is that I have a full time job that requires a lot of critical thinking and problem solving, and it usually leaves me mentally drained during the week, but I’ve realized I’m most focused to write in the morning. So, I wake up early on Saturday and Sunday to write. I grab coffee and a donut and get to work. The second cup of coffee comes later. That’s been my writing time, and it’s been going well, but I feel like I need to schedule more.

My other big issue is overwhelm. I have the personal problem of feeling like I have to do everything. I have a lot of interests, and I want to do them all, everyday. See the problem? Even cutting down on what I think I can accomplish with even 30-minute sessions every day… I’m tired, and I don’t do them, and I get frustrated with myself. Writing, reading, Bible study: these are my big three. These are the things I want to incorporate more fully into my life. I’ve tried different ways over the years. Some worked for a time. Some failed miserably. I really believe part of the reason I didn’t stick with any of it was overwhelm. 

I created my newest schedule with this in mind. My Monday – Friday is light. After work, I only have reading scheduled. Maybe I’ll watch a movie or a series episode. The point is, my brain can rest.

Saturday will be my writing day. I’ve worked out two writing sessions (one for 2.5 hours and the other for 3 hours). I’ve carved out two hours to study the material at the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and another two hours to study the material at Hope*Writers, with an hour between to read a book on writing.

Sunday, with the exception of one early morning 1.5 hour writing session, will be all about Bible study. Church in the morning, two hours of in-depth Bible study, an hour of Bible reading, and an hour reading a non-fiction Christian book (theology, christian living, etc.).

Will this be the schedule that works? Maybe. I don’t know. I can only try. But I can say that this is the first time I’ve made a schedule where I didn’t finish it and go… “When will I eat?”… and have to start over. Like I said; I want to do it all.

How about you? What’s your biggest struggle writing? Or, if you’re not a writer, what’s your biggest struggle just getting things planned and accomplished? What are some good tips or tricks you’ve learned to help you do the things you both need and want to get done?

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