Make a Standing Date with Writing

Each morning, look through your schedule book and find the best time to write that day. After two weeks, identify your patterns. For example, some people find regular slices of writing time after lunch when the office is still quiet and they can determine what they need to write. Then, plan to write at that time every day — or every other day — depending on the number of documents you produce.

Now, compare these two scenarios for large projects. In one, the businessperson allocated time, spreading the project over several weeks. In the other, the businessperson used the typical hurry-up- and-write process.

Situation 1 Time: 11:00 A.M., Sunday Place: Home

Your proposal for a new youth center is due Monday morning. You discussed the contents with your boss two weeks ago. You took notes, reviewed them, and researched additional information at the library. You didn’t bother to write during the past week, knowing you had a complete stretch of writing time on Sunday.
So . . . you make a pot of coffee, boot up the computer, and sit at your desk. Okay. You glance at the clock. 11:15. A whole day of writing ahead. You remind yourself: the proposal is due at 9:00 the next morning. You have to write. You must write. You don’t have a choice. Maybe if you write well and fast, you’ll take a break around 4:00. Maybe make a phone call.

But first you must write. Your upstairs neighbor’s phone rings like a sparrow rasping its last. God, you hate distractions. And wouldn’t it be nice to go biking? Or maybe take a walk? You can tell from the tips of sunlight darting beneath the curtain that the day is magnificent.

Okay. Buckle down. The report should be at least 20 pages. That’s one page every half hour if you write until 9:00 at night. What did you want to say anyway? What if you write too slowly? Or get blocked? You glance at the clock. 11:19. Wow. In only 19 minutes you’ve become disheartened and pressured. Okay, get a grip, have a sip of coffee. Okay. Begin.

Situation 2 Time: 11:00 A.M., Sunday, two weeks earlier Place: Home

You learned that you have to write a proposal for a new youth center last Friday. You discussed the contents with your boss and took notes. Sure, you’ll have to do a little research in the library, but you might as well start writing early. If you write a little on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and research on Tuesday, you should complete the project at least a week early. Then you’ll have lead time in case you get stuck or need to do additional research. Good. And, of course, you’ll have a chance to rewrite before the proposal is due.

You pour a cup of coffee, boot up the computer, and look at the clock. 11:15. You’ll write until 1:00. Then you’ll have a little lunch and maybe go for a walk. You can tell from the tips of sun touching the curtains that the day is magnificent. As an incentive, you roll up the curtains. Um, lovely.