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Writing is easier when you have a routine.
Here's how you can build one:
Here's how you can build one:
1. Write at a set time every day
Habits are hard to build, so consistency is your best friend when you start a new one.
Commit to writing by putting it in your calendar.
During that time, you must focus on writing. No phone. No distractions.
Habits are hard to build, so consistency is your best friend when you start a new one.
Commit to writing by putting it in your calendar.
During that time, you must focus on writing. No phone. No distractions.
2. Spend lots of time walking
Walk around your neighborhood and think about the piece you're working on. Open a document in your phone that says: "Article Ideas."
Keep your phone in your hands so you can easily capture ideas quickly and save interesting ideas that come to mind.
Walk around your neighborhood and think about the piece you're working on. Open a document in your phone that says: "Article Ideas."
Keep your phone in your hands so you can easily capture ideas quickly and save interesting ideas that come to mind.
3. When you get stuck, do things that increase your heart rate.
The mind works in weird ways. When you're stuck, it helps to get away from the computer.
Doing things that elevate your heart rate is the best way to solve problems in your writing. Walk. Run. Lift weights.
The mind works in weird ways. When you're stuck, it helps to get away from the computer.
Doing things that elevate your heart rate is the best way to solve problems in your writing. Walk. Run. Lift weights.
4. Have good conversations
Conversations are the first draft of your thoughts.
In any good conversation, you'll say a few things worth writing about.
When something resonates, make a mental note of it, and when you return to your computer, write down what you said.
Conversations are the first draft of your thoughts.
In any good conversation, you'll say a few things worth writing about.
When something resonates, make a mental note of it, and when you return to your computer, write down what you said.
5. Write in the morning, plan at night.
I write in the morning when I have the most energy.
But my writing begins the night before.
Every night, before I go to sleep, I review what I'm going to write about the next day so I can think about what I'm going to say while sleeping.
I write in the morning when I have the most energy.
But my writing begins the night before.
Every night, before I go to sleep, I review what I'm going to write about the next day so I can think about what I'm going to say while sleeping.
6. Commit to a publishing routine
Successful online writers publish ideas consistently.
For years, @JamesClear committed to publishing two articles per week — leading to 114 articles per year.
Pick a cadence and stick to it.
One article per month is a good place to start.
Successful online writers publish ideas consistently.
For years, @JamesClear committed to publishing two articles per week — leading to 114 articles per year.
Pick a cadence and stick to it.
One article per month is a good place to start.
7. Read outside the mainstream
Try not to read what everybody else is reading.
To find obscure books, follow rabbit holes on Amazon and spend more time in small bookstores.
The best ideas you discover will come from outside your industry or area of expertise.
Try not to read what everybody else is reading.
To find obscure books, follow rabbit holes on Amazon and spend more time in small bookstores.
The best ideas you discover will come from outside your industry or area of expertise.
8. Leave a summary for yourself
When you're done writing for the day, answer two questions for yourself at the top of the page:
1) What's my goal for next time?
2) Where am I stuck?
Doing so will make it easier to get into a flow state next time you write.
When you're done writing for the day, answer two questions for yourself at the top of the page:
1) What's my goal for next time?
2) Where am I stuck?
Doing so will make it easier to get into a flow state next time you write.
If you're serious about writing, join 65,000+ people and sign up for my newsletter.
When you do, you'll receive a free 50-day email series about building a writing habit.
dperell.com/50-days-of-writing
When you do, you'll receive a free 50-day email series about building a writing habit.
dperell.com/50-days-of-writing
Most of your best ideas will come to you when you're away from the computer.
You don't need a perfect note-taking system, but writing is easier when your best ideas are stored in a central place.
You don't need a perfect note-taking system, but writing is easier when your best ideas are stored in a central place.
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