"There is a time
for everything,
and a season for
every activity
under the heavens."
(Ecclesiastes 3)
No doubt about it. Our lives are BUSY! If we aren't careful, we can run ourselves ragged just trying to keep up. If you're like me, you can find yourself pulled in every direction, trying to balance family activities, work responsibilities, church and community functions, and household duties.
And I have to wonder, WHEN CAN I WRITE?! To be serious about
writing, one has to be intentional these days. So, if you're struggling to find
time to let your creativity flow, here's some suggestions to better manage your
time.
START YOUR DAY WITH PRAYER - Begin each day by asking for the
Lord's blessing. Taking a few precious moments to pray can make all the
difference. When you submit your day and your writing to God, you're
placing it in His hands, and He's sure to honor your request.
SET GOALS -
As a writer, it's important to set goals. Small goals as well as larger ones.
On the larger scale, you may have a goal to complete a novel in a year, six
months, or even three months, depending on your capabilities or time allowance.
But smaller goals are also important. Try setting a word count goal for a week,
or a day. Make it one that will require you to work to reach it, but one that
is within your grasp to complete. Each time you achieve a goal, give
yourself a pat on the back, and set a new and higher one.
BE FLEXIBLE - While goals are important, writers need
to be able to bend schedules as situations require it. While you
may feel it necessary to protect your writing time from minor
interruptions, some simply can't be avoided. In offering up prayers for my day,
I often pray the Lord will allow me to accomplish all that He has in mind for
me to accomplish. If I'm honest, that may sometimes differ from what I wish to accomplish. So
when interruptions arise, take a deep breath, reassess, and adjust your plans
accordingly. Perhaps the Lord has someone in mind for you to encourage
through that change in plans.
DEVELOP A ROUTINE - Like it or not, we're creatures of habit. Most of us do well to have a set schedule to work with. Setting up specific hours to write keeps us motivated and creates a standard of expectation to go by. When we're organized, we make better use of our time.
LEARN YOUR CREATIVE TIME OF DAY - When do your creative juices flow most freely? I find my biggest word counts come in the early afternoon. How about you? Are you a night owl? Do you do your best work in the wee hours of the night? Or are you an early riser who finds inspiration in the promise of a new day? Be attune to the time of day that best suits your creative flare and set that as your focal point.
What ignites your creative flow? I'd love to hear from you.
Read more of Cynthia’s writing at: http://puttingonthenew.com/author/cynthiaroemer/
Or follow her on: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCynthiaRoemer/
