Track And Value Your Writing Time

Tick-tock goes the clock… and your writing time flies away.

But, as A-list health writer Carline Anglade-Cole told a room full of writers at AWAI’s Bootcamp the other year, you have to protect your peak writing hours. They’re your “bank” in the sense that out of this precious peak performance time, you can generate all the income you need to live and thrive as a professional writer.

So it’s no surprise that many of us have a variety of timers, work trackers, and planners.

Of course, owning these tools is one thing… actually using these tools is something else entirely.

This month, make the effort. Use every tool you have … and all the new ones you’re about to get from our guest expert, Christine Niles… to get a clear picture of your day, and work to pinpoint the real value of your writing time.

What you find may surprise you. Mindy McHorse, for example, used time analysis to discover she was dramatically more productive writing in the morning vs. writing at night.

I used time trackers and Christine Niles’ personal energy tracker to prove that writing in the wee hours of the night was actually best for me, and that afternoons shouldn’t be used for anything more mentally strenuous than napping and administrative tasks.

What lessons are in store for you? Do the work this month to find out.