Six psychology tricks you can use to make yourself a more productive writer
It’s not enough to be a great writer; you also have to finish your work. These tricks will get the ideas flowing and help you complete each step of the process — from brainstorming sessions all the way through publication!
Get organized
This is the number-one rule for any writer. If you don’t have a system in place, you will never be able to stay on top of all your work tasks and goals. Everyone’s system is different, but there are a few commonalities among the most successful writers. A few common systems include:
- To-do lists: Using a to-do list program like Microsoft OneNote or Evernote will help you move tasks out of your head and onto paper, where you can see them easily and tick items off as they’re completed. You could also try out sticky notes, whiteboards, Dilbert-style comics — whatever works for you. Just be sure to actually use this system!
- Spreadsheets: Tracking your writing career can help take the mystery out of where all your time goes, and spreadsheets are an easy way to do it. If you write fiction, figuring out how many words you write a day is a good place to start.
- Planners: Even if you plan to use a digital system for your organizing, an old-fashioned planner can help you set goals and make sure they get done. Just make it part of your ritual; don’t leave tasks unsupported by an actual date!
Set simple, achievable goals
Forget what you’ve heard about writers setting career-long goals. It’s too easy to get discouraged, and far better to set one or two simple short-term goals that will help you reach your long-term ones anyway. Here are a few examples:
- Complete three chapters of my novel by the end of next week
- Write 100 words per day for the next 30 days
- Finish my article on How to Improve Your Business’ Security before midnight tonight!
Of course, it’s not okay if you don’t hit your goals every time. In fact, if they’re too easy, you’ll have trouble finding the motivation to actually do them. But you can always try again tomorrow.
Create a writing schedule and stick to it
One of the biggest mistakes new writers make is assuming they can sit down and write whenever their muse strikes. This rarely works, as those flashes of inspiration often occur during other things you should be doing, like cooking dinner or going to bed at a reasonable hour. Instead, create a schedule that gives you time to think and plan, then block off regular work time that you can’t afford to skip.
Plan about 2 hours per day for every thousand-word block in your novel. For nonfiction, figure out how much material you’re writing per hour and schedule accordingly — don’t forget to rest afterward!
Take breaks when needed
It’s easy to get wrapped up in a writing task and forget to take care of yourself. The danger here is that you’ll burn out and stop writing entirely. Set a timer for every hour you’re at the computer, and spend the rest of your time on other things: exercise, cooking, socializing…whatever it takes to keep the ideas flowing!
Use helpful tools and resources
Editing and formatting tools like Grammarly and Hemingway can help you find and fix typos and other writing mistakes before they’re published. An app like Writemo can also help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.
Social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Tumblr can help expand your audience reach — but only if you use them for what they’re good at! Don’t try to sell products and services to your followers; instead, share engaging content and let the sales happen naturally.
Staying motivated
It’s easy to get down when you’re writing — it’s a lot of hard work! To keep yourself motivated:
- Keep track of all your accomplishments as you go
- Challenge yourself with personal goals like “write 50,000 words this year”
- Join a community of other writers who can support each other
- Reward yourself for milestones — and know when to take a break!
The bottom line
Write today, dear reader! Don’t wait until you have all the time in the world to work on your projects. You’ll never get ahead by procrastinating, so just do it! And, of course, if you have other tips, we’d love for you to share them in the comments section.
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