For the past week or so, I’ve woken up at 7 a.m. to the opening chords of Hamilton (no surprise there, if you’ve read some of my other blog posts recently). My new morning routine goes something like this: dance along to Hamilton before turning off the alarm and turning on my laptop to write. I gather my binders and notebooks and set a goal for the morning—edit something, write something, problem solve a solution to a plot hole in the novel I’m working on. Then, for the next 30 minutes, I put on my “Writing” playlist and set off towards accomplishing whatever goals I wrote down.
This is a relatively new routine for me, and, despite not being a zealous morning person, I have to say that I’m loving it so far. I saw a quote yesterday that read, “Set a goal that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning” and I realized that my writing goals make me want to do just that. No matter how tired I am, I’m always excited to get up, walk over to my desk and crack open my writing notebook.
As I’ve written before, this summer I am working full-time hours in a communications role. By carving out this half hour in the morning to write, I arrive at work at 9 a.m. already feeling like I’ve accomplished something for the day. Before I set this routine, I was trying to find time to write at night—and while I wrote blog posts after work, I never ended up working on writing fiction. Now, I am certain that I am making more progress than I otherwise would have been had I continued writing solely at night. I find it amazing that I can make significant progress towards my goals just by waking up 30 minutes earlier.
It can be tempting to only write when motivation strikes, but most creative people know that motivation is fleeting. What is not fleeting, however, is routine. I am the type of person who falls into a routine easily. To be honest, I did doubt my ability to wake up half an hour before I usually do; but I motivated myself by writing “a.m. editing” in my planner every day. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by my ability to use this morning time productively. One day last week I woke up at 7 a.m., only to realize that, for some reason, my laptop wouldn’t open Microsoft Word. I couldn’t work on the project I wanted to edit, but I didn’t go back to sleep. Instead, I used the time to read—something else I don’t make enough time for in my life.
Although this morning writing routine is new to me, making time to write is not. In the winter, I made it my goal to write 1,000 words every day. I didn’t set aside a specific time because my school schedule was different every day. I still ended up fulfilling my goal, though—I wrote 1,000 words every day, without fail, until I reached my goal of 80,000 words. Even on days when I was exhausted from school, I still managed to sit down and write. Once I got started, I couldn’t break the routine; and the daily sessions of writing fiction were a welcome break from my schoolwork.
Knowing who you are goes a long way in finding ways to motivate yourself to write. I know, for example, that I am motivated by visually seeing my progress; so I like to track my progress through charts where I can write down what I accomplish every day. Making charts is a small thing, but I honestly think that the charts where I wrote down my word count every day were one of the main reasons why I was able to continue writing 1,000 words every day back in the winter. I hope that the goal-setting charts I am using now will make my current morning writing sessions successful, too.
I had a comment recently asking about what my writing schedule is, and I guess this is it. As of last week, I write and edit for half an hour in the morning and I also spend extra time at night writing blog posts. It’s a schedule that is still evolving, but one that is based on what I know works for me. In the end, it’s a schedule that allows me to wake up in the morning and spend time doing what I love while making progress towards my goals. What could be better than that?
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Wow, good for you! I’m not not a morning person, but there’s no way I could do that.
Thank you! I am honestly surprised at how much I’ve enjoyed it so far!!
I admire you for getting up early to write! I’m glad it works well for you 🙂
I like how you mentioned that you feel accomplished even way before your actual day starts. It’s a good way to keep your momentum all throughout as you perform your daily tasks.
I make time for writing during the night when I get home after work. I like being able to mull over my thoughts throughout the day and finding inspiration through different activities that goes on whether it may be in the office, or in my commute, or through whatever happens over the weekend, I like collecting them and making sense out of them. It’s something like a perfect way to end my day.
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Thanks Anna! I can definitely see how writing at night is nice for those reasons as well! I love the idea of, like you said, taking moments from the day and using them as inspiration for writing.
Good Post! motivational for writers
Thank you!
Your Welcome
Your commitment and your ability to follow your routine are some of your secrets to writing.
Good for you Sherina!
All the best
Thank you, Madeeha! 🙂
I think good motivation and routine is already half of the success. Sometimes it`s really difficult to find a spare time to write especially when we work full time and get back tired thinking only about going to sleep. Probably the most productive time is in the morning and completing something in the morning gives you not only a satisfaction but also another kick to do it again. Thanks for sharing! Maybe I should start waking up a bit earlier 😛
That’s so true! I definitely agree–I think I’m motivated to wake up and write each day because I remember how happy it made me the day before. 🙂
Your love for writing 😍😍. Thanks for sharing this.🌟
Thanks for reading! 🙂
These are absolutely brilliant tips; I’m the same in the respect that i fall into and little changes can easily make you 100 x more productive xx
I totally agree! I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the positive impact of this seemingly small routine 🙂
Thanks for this! I’ve been hesitant to try the wake up early method because I’m not a morning person but lately I’ve been getting up earlier and earlier so why not give it a shot? Glad to hear it’s working well for you.
It’s definitely worth a try! You may be surprised 🙂
Great post, and good for you!!
I’m definitely a morning person so I can see myself waking up early to write, I might just try this!!
If you already consider yourself a morning person, you’d probably enjoy it! 🙂
Probably!! 😊😊
Wow, that’s so amazing and impressive that you’re able to keep up with your writing like that. I find it really difficult to post consistently during the school year, as I spend a lot of time on my schoolwork and have time for little else (I am a double major, so life is a bit hectic haha). I really want to try and stay on top of my blog this semester since I’ve been pretty consistent this summer. I write around one post per week, and I’m hoping this trend can continue. Thanks for the inspiration to keep writing! Feel free to check out my blog where I post original recipes and tips for how to eat healthfully in college! https://theartsypalate.wordpress.com/2017/08/01/calories-count-but-dont-count-calories/
Thanks Dena! 🙂 I definitely agree it’s difficult to find time to blog (let alone write anything else) during the school year, but I’ve found that making time for it whenever possible makes me happier overall!
Hi Dena! I was a double major as well. I used to do my creative writing at the library while waiting for friends and between classes.
That’s a good idea! I think I’m going to try to schedule in a specific time during the week that I will write no matter what’s going on. Though this is certainly easier said than done…
As my kids are all teenagers now, and sleep their days away, I get up before them on the weekends and write till they get up – somewhere around 10.30 am……
It’s so nice to have that time carved out to write!
Your stories is just another great example of the power of a morning routine and the power of good habits. Good luck with all your endeavors! 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂
“Finding and write time”, as you so perfectly shaped it, is something essential to me. I usually am content with what I write and when I write it, but I gather everytime that something there is missing. The routine. You’ve helped me come to that conclusion for which I thank you. I wish you good luck with everything you’ve set for yourself as a goal. 🙂
Thank you! Good luck with your writing goals as well 🙂
Thanks for sharing your writing goals. I need to write more regularly, with no excuses!
Thanks for reading! 🙂
Great post! You’re awesome for staying so dedicated and setting goals like this. Best of luck!
Thank you! 🙂
I’ve been thinking about making some time in my morning to write, and it’s good to know someone else who isn’t a morning person was successful with this.
I was quite surprised at how much I enjoyed it! 🙂
As I am beginning to get back into my writing, I am going through routine establishment as well. Reading along, I found admiration in your routine! Thank you for sharing an effecient way to smoothly prioritize. 🙂 love and light my friend!
Best of luck with your routine! 🙂
I wish you the best to achieve your goals. As for getting up well good luck.
Thank you! 🙂
Your Welcome
I am definitely at my most creative in the mornings, but when my mornings fill up before I get the chance to write, I tend to try and write a bit during lunch. I very rarely write at night. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading! 🙂
When I finally got to “The End” point of a manuscript in the past, it was due to the fact that I set my alarm 30 minutes earlier and made that my writing time. This post is a reminder that I need to do it again. I’d probably be done with my current WIP already! 😉
Haha! It really is amazing how much you can accomplish with just 30 extra minutes.
writing is an energizer to start the day 🙂
I agree! 🙂
Thank you for the inspiration
Thank you for reading! 🙂
I too started writing 750 words every day last April, though I made time for it in the evening,since I’m done with almost all my work by then. But lately I’ve been thinking of shifting my writing time to morning because sometimes I have too much work and then it’s bedtime when I actually sit down to write. Most of the things I’ve written late at night are useless rants which I can make no use of. But until school ends (February), I’ll have to stick to my current routine (I can’t give up my eight hours of sleep lol). It’s great that you’re enjoying this morning routine; I hope it will be the same for me.
Also, thank you for sharing that quote, I’m going to put it up on my wall. 🙂
That’s awesome that you make the time to write every day! Best of luck with continuing your routine and I’m glad you like the quote! 🙂
So great that you’re carving out time for something so important Sherina! And I can related to your solo dance party. I refer to my own in the latest post in My Instruction Manual!
Thanks, Keith!!
This is a great lesson for us all (well, it is for me at least)! Thanks!
You’re very welcome! 🙂
Such a great motivational post. When I do wake up earlier in the morning, I try to add some writing in. Really makes me feel calm and satisfied. But at the same time, I do love my sleep haha. Maybe making it into a habit and a morning routine like you do will allow writing in the morning to become consistent. 🙂
I’ve really enjoyed the routine!! Thanks so much for reading 🙂
Well done on getting up early to write! I wish I had that kind of motivation, it’s to easy for me to stay in bed! But I do have to be up for 6.30am to get to work. X
Thank you! Oh dear–that’s early!!
I love your dedication! Sounds like a perfect routine and start to the day! I tend to get blinded by my tunnel vision, and am a once I start something I need to sit down and finish it all the way through, so can’t start anything before I head off to work in the morning, but the days I do get up early and just enjoy a good cup of coffee, some perky tunes and a good breakfast and/or a walk, my day is already set up to be an enjoyable one. Thanks for a great read!
Thank you! That sounds like a fun occasional routine! 🙂
That and giving my mutt a little extra love. It’s my favourite way to start the day 🙂
I like the title, I saw what you did there… I’m still quite random about when I sit down to actually write my blog, but you inspire me to find my write time.
I’m so glad! 🙂
I am a morning person but never thought of writing. Normally, I am reading books, articles and so on. Will try and write and see how it goes.
Hope it goes well!! 🙂
Thank you. I hope it does too 🙂
I love your morning routine as it closely resembles mine and I find it to be very productive! I always tried to squeeze writing in wherever I could but often times the day always disappeared on me before I ever got the chance to sit and write a single word. Having a routine is the number one thing any writer can do for themselves. I’ve had this routine now for almost a year and I’ve been more productive in this single year than I have in all they years I’ve been writing. Good luck to you!
I completely agree! That’s great that you’ve been so productive!
Greetings,
A splendid approach…. Keep it up. God bless.
Sincerely,
Redeeming Luv
Thank you! Much appreciated.