No matter what it is that we are about to embark on it is often the first steps that can be the most difficult.
For those of you that have purchased the Getting Started Workbook you have taken the first step in acknowledging the importance of telling your tales.
The next step is to actually to get started with writing down your memories… It is at this point that I am finding people seem to stall and struggle to move forward.
One of the things that can help you to move forward is to SCHEDULE time for your writing. Give it the importance that it deserves!
There are several ways that you can schedule your writing:
Specific Number of Hours
Decide how much time each week you have or want to commit to your writing schedule. Be specific – rather than specifying 4hours a week, break the hours down to precise times on certain days ie 2 hours on Monday and Friday morning from 10.00am to 12 noon.
Specific Number of Pages
Work out how many pages of writing or specifically what you want to achieve each week and then calculate roughly the time it would take to achieve this (with practice you will be better able to gauge this).
Set a Deadline
Another way to approach the task is to set yourself a deadline of when you want the project completed.Then you can work backwards and look at what sort of writing schedule it will require to meet the deadline. Be realistic and factor in down time for other events that may occur ie illness, holidays, visitors…
The process of writing can be a long and drawn out process if we do not have a deadline/end date to work to.
Putting It Into Action
Write this schedule on your calendar where you will be reminded of this commitment. Having written down your commitment you feel more obliged to meet it.
The length of time you schedule is not as important as the frequency of your scheduling. Regular writing often leads to continuity and greater productivity.
Mark your progress off on the calendar – it is always rewarding to see the progress we are making.
