Make Time to Write: Overcome Your Excuses

Eliminate Redundancies For Fat Free Writing
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By Cynthia Morris

How You Can Become A Freelance Business Plan Writer
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After a full day of work, family and life, you fall into bed exhausted. Mentally ticking off your to-do list, you cycle through shopping lists, phone calls, and appointments, feeling good about what you have gotten done, until you get to the thing you really want to do. You lay there, bathed in regret ' why didn't you get your writing done today' You vow to do it tomorrow. You will make time for your novel or that article you know would sell. You consider angles, write a few lines in your head, and fired up with enthusiasm for your writing, you fall asleep. The next day continues on much like the one before and you live the life of an unfulfilled writer, all because you do not do the simple work of making time to write.
As a coach, I have worked with many writers who claim lack of time as their number one excuse for not writing. But I have discovered that there are a number of other reasons that make it easy to put off our writing. When you do find time to write, these other demons loom up to prevent you from doing the work. I ask my clients questions to help them understand their process. Use the questions below to help you discover what is behind your time excuse. When you take some time before writing to gain clarity on what is true for you, that you are able to accomplish your writing more quickly.
Often 'lack of time' is a mask for fears. The work of writing, while satisfying, can be difficult to make time for. We put it off to do the easier things, the things we know how to do. Think about the things you do when you are procrastinating getting to the writing. Do you clean, cook, or exercise' Do you spend your valuable writing time reading or watching TV' The act of writing challenges us to dive into ourselves and come out with something tangible. This kind of work can leave us vulnerable to our fears that we are not good enough, not talented enough, don't have anything to say and are likely to be rejected.

Revving Up Your Writing Productivity
Productivity begins by recognizing and valuing your
brilliance, time, and space. It starts with awareness of
what works and what does not. It continues with examining
what needs grease, or other needs. Search for the truth .....

What is scary for you about writing' Jot down some of your fears. Then look and see how true they really are. Often when we expose our fears on paper, they lose their power over us. Notice when you are resisting and when you truthfully do not have time to write. Be honest with yourself and learn to identify how it feels when you are resisting.
Many creative types struggle with time management. We may have enough time but do not use it in a way that honors our priorities. What are your priorities' If you are not showing up for your writing, maybe it isn't that important. What else is going on in your life that is more compelling than writing' Take a moment now to jot down where you spend your time. What do you notice about what is important to you'
Once you have a clear picture of where your time goes, how do you feel about it' Does the way you spend your time reflect what is important to you' Work and other obligations seem more fixed and indeed they may be for now, but where else can you make decisions to get writing into your life' What is one thing you could change this week to make more space for writing'
Don't forget that you have choices. There are a limited number of hours in the day, but often we give away our passion and power by forgetting that we can choose what to do with our time. I can hear you saying, 'Well, I have my job, and then I have my family, and kids, and all these other obligations.' Certainly you have other commitments that you need to honor. But your roles become more powerful than you are when you believe you have no choice in the matter.
Often we get stuck in one way of thinking, and that becomes our reality. Try playing with different perspectives. With the help of a perspective shift, you may realize that your writing has a place, too. Perhaps in your mind it ......

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