Let's just say it's the holiday season, 2009.
And you're a very busy person. (A very busy writer-type person.)
Writing much?
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@secondglantz: @marlabeck The holiday rush has usurped all writing time. Can't wait to get back to it in the new year."
If you're struggling to make time to write during this busy holiday season, you're not alone.
Like my Twitter friend, Cheryl, more than a few of my coaching clients have expressed frustrations with their writing lives this week.
No matter the source of their time stress (end-of-year work deadlines, kids' calendars or holiday to-dos), they've realized that their writing time has simply vanished.
Gone with the (winter) wind.
What to do when your writing time vanishes? Here are 3 tips I've used with success in my own writing life and coaching practice. See what you think.
1. Plug the Energy Drain.
It takes a lot of energy to redefine reality.
Remember when you were little, and one of your siblings or friends started pushing your buttons by telling you something untrue?
One of my own scenarios (from awful third grade) went something like this:
"Haha, you're a pig, Marla!" (Can you believe that crap?)
"No I'm not." I'd say.
"Ha ha ha...you are! A pig!"
After a few rounds of this exchange, I'd finally realize that a shift in tactics was in order.
"That's right," I'd say proudly. "I am!"
"I'm a pretty, intelligent girl." (Thanks Mom, for that one.)
While it was great to have a sassy comeback, defending myself against Billy's mean opinions sure took a lot of psychic energy. Talking back was probably a decent coping mechanism as a kid.
As an adult, though, when faced with impossible situations (crazy folks' opinions of us, temporarily overwhelming time demands, you name it), sometimes it's best to pack up and go off to another sandbox.
Rather than force your writing time during the holidays, try saving your energy. Quit fighting your situation and accept your temporary reality ("No time to write.") Then use your energy to enjoy the season.
2. Remember this Sanity Saver: "Life Balance Ain't Linear."
"Now that I've made consistent time to write, things should stay balanced," you say.
It'd be convenient if "life balance" were always controllable, neatly manageable, and deliciously linear, but you may have noticed otherwise?
When disruptions to your writing time come up, your work as a Relaxed Writer is to remember that life balance is zig-zaggy by nature.
You're not doing something wrong if things get "squidgy" again. You haven't lost all progress, either.
Like trained muscles, your writing self and psyche have a "muscle memory" of their own. Create the same conditions for writing when things settle down, and it's likely you'll be able to click right back in.
3. Apply Patchett's "Edgar Principle."
Last night I picked up my husband from work, and while I waited for him (5 minutes or so) in the car, I polished off a few rows on the scarf I'm knitting for him. I added nearly an inch in length.
Seeing my knitting project grow incrementally over time has been a wonderful reminder that small efforts add up. Little efforts really do matter.
* * *
In her fantastic Washington Post essay last week, writer Ann Patchett introduced a favorite productivity tool, inspired by composer and bassist, Edgar Meyer.
"[Edgar] put a notebook by the door of his studio and kept a careful record of the number of hours he actually sat down to work. The startling conclusion of this experiment was...time spent work equals output of work. Amazing!"
Patchett calls her friend's experiment the Edgar Principle: "The more time I committed to working, the more pages I stacked up," she says.
Small efforts really do add up.
* * *
@MarlaBeck: "@secondglantz & writers everywhere: Can you find small moments for writing and make good use of them? Even during holidays?"
@secondglantz @MarlaBeck Now that I think about it, yes. :) I do a lot of outlining/note taking during lunch and other work breaks.
@TiffanyVize @MarlaBeck yes,I downloaded a notes app. For my phone and now I can write whenever,wherever!If that doesn't work, email a note to yourself :)
Cheryl outlines and takes notes during lunch. Tiffany jots notes to herself using her phone or computer. I like to do 15-minute freewrites (and love to watch my small notebook fill up over time). You might choose to use these end-of-year "small moments" to dream, plan or strategize for your writing in 2010. (If so, I can help.)
Small efforts really do add up. Little efforts matter.
* * *
Take a moment and consider your own writing.
- How can you find small moments to help yourself stay connected to your writing, even in the midst of busy holidays?
- How do you track your "small efforts?"
I worked like mad the past 6 weeks so I could mostly take the winter break off with my kids...so I guess I'm #1, surrender to it. Learned my lesson in July, when work was slow and I tried to prospect and work on my own projects, while my nanny played with the kids in the splash pool outside my window...didn't go too well. When the fun's on, the whole point of being a freelancer is you can go enjoy it!
Also plan to use the downtime to work on my own writing agenda...stockpile blog posts for a busy day...finish that ebook...all the stuff that won't get done normally.
Enjoy the season all! Thanks for a great post Marla. You ARE a P.I.G.!
Carol Tice
http://Twitter.com/TiceWrites
Posted by: Carol Tice | December 18, 2009 at 11:34 AM