Throw Away Your Writing To-Do List

Are you overwhelmed with your writing TO-DO list?  Do you feel like there’s more to do that you can do?  

Sadly, this is something that I feel quite regularly. There’s so MUCH to do and so LITTLE time and I can barely get my normal everyday stuff done let alone my writing responsibilities!  This summer I’ve felt particularly stagnant–I started the summer with high hopes for my creativity. But let’s be real. I have five children. And they are home for the summer.  And I can’t sit down for more than five minutes before somebody needs me. I’ve had to give myself permission to focus on the kids and worry less about the writing. Yet, the writing beckons to me.  I can’t let it go. 

So when I listened to Brooke Castillo’s podcast, Throw Away Your To Do List, I knew I could apply it to my writing life.  Here’s how it works:

1. Answer these questions:

• What prevents you from getting your writing stuff done? 
• How would your life be different if you always followed through on your writing plans?
• What happens when you make time for your creativity?

2. Write down everything you want to do for your writing life.

• What do you have to do?
• What do you want to do?
• What would be really awesome if you did it?
• What else?
• Fill the page.

3. Write down the obstacles that block you from accomplishing your goal.

4. Eliminate things you think you should do, but don’t want to do. Cross them off the list.

• Decide that the consequences are okay.
• Remember that you are not required to do anything you don’t want to do.

5. Prioritize the list.

• What is the most important thing? Do that first.
• Don’t prioritize urgent things.  There is no urgency if you plan.

6. Take items off the to-do list and put it on the calendar.

• Plan the amount of time each thing will take.
• Stick to the time you allot for yourself.

7. Throw away your Writing To-Do list.

• Make the choice to follow through on your commitment to yourself.
• Get it done in the amount or time you give yourself.
• Don’t check notifications or answer the phone during your scheduled writing time.

8. Rely on your calendar.

• You won’t want to do what’s on the calendar, but do it anyway.
• Use the calendar to honor your commitment to yourself.
• Allow yourself to create freely, but be flexible when needed.

What are you waiting for? Throw away your writing To Do list! I’ve allotted an hour for this blog post, so gotta go!

Happy writing and creating! Write on and create freely!

What items can you eliminate from your Writing To Do list?