Writing is fun and satisfying if you are writing about something that you are completely passionate about. Especially if you don’t have to worry about meeting a deadline. However, if you are a freelance blogger or writer the ordeal can be stressful. Not to mention exhausting because of the added pressure of ensuring that you are done with it on time.
The more your work, the more will it add grades to your profile. But keeping a balance between your work and quality is not an easy thing, because you aren’t working for only one website.
Instead you have registered on multiple sites, each having its own rules and type of clients. Your performance is being monitored by those freelance websites. The time you take, the quality of your work, the reviews on your profile etc. It all counts. But do not worry.
But there are some solutions to help freelance writers or bloggers make a strong writing profile.
11 Tips to Boost Your Writing Productivity
There are some ways to increase your writing productivity. Just follow the simple tips below and you will be amazed of how much you can accomplish if you have the right approach and attitude.
#1 Assign a designated time for writing.
Create a routine by setting a specific time for writing. Researchers say the best time to do the difficult tasks of the day is in the morning when your day starts. Still there is no hard and fast rule on what time is best.
But the earlier in your day the better because your mind is well-rested and ready to tackle the those tasks. So plan your to-do schedule accordingly.
#2 Designate a specific place for writing.
When you intend to start, have a designated place for writing as well so that your mind automatically shifts to “writing-mode” the moment you are there.
Our mind can be trained to do specific actions through conditioning. This is why you get sleepy when you are in your bed. An office chair with a desk can be the best option because your back would be at ease. Which otherwise gets stiff when you sit on a mattress or hard surface with no back support.
#3 Make your workspace inviting and organized.
Make sure that your workspace is conducive for working. Everything that you need should be at arm’s length and your desk should be free from clutter. This will help you set the right mood so that your mind will be able to concentrate better.
Having a messy desk can make you uncomfortable so keep your desk clear of clutter. Also, facing the wall while you write is another good option to keep you away from distractions.
#4 Set specific writing goals.
Setting your goals is the most important thing you should do, no matter which profession you’re in. Research has proved that persons who write their goals regularly, like daily monthly or yearly goals are more successful and more likely to achieve their objectives. Compared to those who don’t set their goals.
If you are writing articles, you can set a specific number of pieces that you should finish within the day and break it down further into hours so you can easily track your progress.
#5 Minimize or completely avoid distractions.
Identify specific things that can readily distract you when you start working such as text messages, phone calls, or checking your social media pages.
Make a specific plan on how to control yourself from falling prey on these activities. Because these activities are time killers, once you start these you go deeper and deeper for hours only to realize later that you wasted your time.
#6 Make use of the carrot and stick method.
The carrot and stick approach is an expression that’s a combination of reward and punishment.
Reward yourself with an activity or a thing that you will enjoy when you meet your set writing goal for the day. If you happen to miss your target, however, you should also accept punishment such as not going out or something that you really like watching television.
#7 Control your thought pattern.
Be especially mindful of how you think or how you talk to yourself. If you notice that your mind is filled with negativity or unrealistic expectations that will make writing even more hard to do.
It’s time to shift your thoughts into something more positive. Going out for 10 minute walk, meditating, a phone call to your friend or practicing positive reinforcements can be helpful.
#8 Hold yourself accountable.
Having an accountability friend or family member can help you with your goals. Tell a friend or fam your daily writing goals to provide an extra boost of motivation. But make sure it’s someone you can count on.
#9 Stay away from the internet.
This point is almost similar to point number five. Observe how many times you browse the internet while you are in the middle of writing. You’d be surprised at how much time you can loose. And you will now know why you have to stay offline when writing.
The internet can be a big distraction. So stay away from social media or web browsing.
#10 Be realistic.
There is limit to what you can accomplish in a day, which is why you should know your limitations and when to say no to more projects.
#11 Be ready to sacrifice.
When it is time to write and your favorite movie is on Netflix, you should know which one is the biggest priority.
Final Words
All the items mentioned above have been proven to significantly improve writing productivity. At the end of the day, it all comes down to commitment and discipline. The more self-disciplined you are, the more the chances are to be successful in your daily tasks.
Advanced writers, researchers, and authors can complete numerous pages of written work a day not because they were “born” that way but they managed to practice the art of self-discipline and control regularly.
Over To You
What do you do to improve your productivity? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below.
Before you go I hope you will share this post on social media so that other bloggers can use these tips to boost their writing productivity too. Thanks!
Hi Cori,
Interesting read. I love the concept of controlling your mind as it gives you the opportunity to rejuvenate and have a focus. I also want to add that having a regular exercise routine is good and using outlines to mapmind your thoughts are exceptional ways to boost your productivity as well.
Thank you for sharing!
PS: I subscriber to your blog to enable me know when you publish new posts.
Hi Cori, Thanks for sharing such useful information. All the points you mentioned in the above post are very important. I will try to follow up these points and I do hope I will get good results. Thanks again!
I usually dream to write somewhere in the mountains. For example, you are having coffee with a beautiful view, and your table is set. Plus with peace and no distractions in the mountain makes a good candidate for a good article.
Super tips Cori.
For me, your first tip about designating time is the most important… and again for me, writing has to be the first thing I tackle each day. I find the more time rolls on, the more pressure I feel and rather writing just seems to take so much longer as a result.
Maybe it’s the idea of something not started hanging over me that makes me less productive if I start writing later in the day. I think more likely though is that if I start writing straight away I can usually get a few hundred words under my belt quite quickly. When that happens it’s quite motivating. Feeling that you’re 1/5 – 1/4 of the way through an article so soon after getting started for me leads to a snowball effect in terms of my productivity. I find I can get through an article quite quickly… as long as I start writing first thing.
Thanks for sharing your tips…. I’ve very much enjoyed reading them.