Has the procrastination monster reared its ugly head? If you’re here, you probably have some writing that needs to get done. Maybe you just can’t pull together the motivation to do it, or you want to be more consistent with your writing.

Whether you’re writing a blog, some advertising or marketing content, or want to finally write that novel, read on for ten writing productivity tips that’ll help you get into the writing zone and get more done.

1. Set a timer

I’m a huge fan of setting timers, especially when feeling less than motivated. I set timers for everything from doing the dishes to writing my blog articles. Somehow a task becomes less intimidating and more manageable when I know I only have to work on it for a set amount of time.

It’s also easy and simple. You decide how long you want to spend on a certain task (writing in this case) and stop when the timer goes off. Sometimes you might want to keep going. That’s great. I often use timers to trick myself into getting started. Then, when I’m into the task, I can happily keep going.

How long I set my timer for depends on my energy levels and time available. For a typical writing session I’ll set my timer for 30-60 minutes. But if I’m feeling low-energy, I’ll just set it for just 10 minutes. You’ll be surprised what you can get done in 10 minutes!

You can use a timer to help you focus. I find that only having a certain amount of time helps me to get focused, meaning I spend less time faffing and more time writing. Other times, I like the challenge of trying to get something done in a set amount of time.

If you find that you spend too long on a task, for example getting sucked into an infinite research black hole, a timer is really handy to restrict the time you spend on a task and stop it overrunning the rest of your day.

A timer can also remind you to take breaks. Breaks are really important for our health, creativity and productivity. They let us take a step back and recharge.

But, if you are anything like me, you might forget to take them, especially when totally absorbed in a task. Setting a timer can act as a reminder to get up, move around, and take a break from the screen for a bit.

One great method I sometimes use is the Pomodoro technique in which you do a chunk of work, followed by a short break. After so many sessions you get a longer break. The default of the Pomodoro technique looks like this:

• 25 min work
• 5 min break
• Repeat two more times
• 25 min work
• 15 min break
• Start again from the beginning, depending how many pomodoros you want to do.

However, you can adjust the times to suit you. After some experimenting, I found that 25 minutes was a good time to get me into a task, but too short for writing as it broke my concentration. For writing, I prefer to work in 45-60 minute blocks. Do some experimenting and see what works for you.

2. Work somewhere different

Sometimes a change in scene can work wonders for your creativity. When I’m struggling with a project, I’ll pack up my laptop and go to the local café or library. If the weather is nice, I love to work outside, usually in the garden. There is just something so calming about being outdoors.

Getting out isn’t always possible, so other places I’ve been known to work (apart from my little office under the stairs) include the sofa, the dining table, the kitchen, or the conservatory. I’ve even worked in the hallway, where I set up a temporary table.

If you’re stuck in an office, I know it’s not always possible to take yourself off somewhere. However, maybe there are some options around your workplace. Could you use an empty meeting room, work from a bench outside (if the weather’s nice), a balcony, or a quiet meeting area?

3. Take a break and let your ideas brew

Breaks are important, not only for our health, but also for our creativity. While you’re away doing other things, your brain is working on stuff in the background. So when you come back to your work, you’ll find it easier to come up with ideas or move forward if you were stuck.

Make a cup of tea, go for a walk, do some laundry, or read a book. Or, if you can’t get away, switch to another project. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you do something different for a bit. Sometimes, we just need time away from something to come up with good ideas.

In general, I like to let my work sit overnight. For example, I’ll write a draft one day and edit it the next, when my brain has had some time to think on it. However, sometimes deadlines don’t allow this, so then I’ll try to leave at least an hour or two before going back to it. For example, I’ll write a draft in the morning and edit it after lunch.

Doing nothing is important too. According to an article by Psychology Today, making time for blank space (i.e. breaks where you’re not thinking) in your day helps your brain to work on ideas:

“…if you STOP thinking about a problem or particular topic you will then be able to solve it! This means you have to make time for blank spaces in your day. You need to have time in your day when you are doing “nothing” as far as your brain is concerned. Not talking, not reading, not writing. You can go for a walk, get exercise, listen to music, or stare into space. The more blank space the more work you will get done!”

4. Schedule time to write and stick to it

Setting aside a regular time to write helps you to build a writing habit and make progress on your projects.

As a full time writer, I write every day. While I find it easy enough to commit to my client projects, like many freelance writers, I found that I wasn’t spending enough time on my own writing projects (such as my blog). So, I decided to block out an hour every morning just to work on my own projects.

Depending on your goals and commitments, you may not need to write every day like me. Whether you set time aside daily, weekly, or monthly, get it in the diary and stick to it. Consistency is the key to building a good writing habit. By regularly showing up, you’ll get used to writing at that time, making it easier to get into the task.

5. Design your environment

Create an environment that supports your creativity. I find that I work better in a clutter and distraction free zone. Tidy up your desk and put away anything that might distract you, like your phone. Place stuff you need at hand (e.g. reference materials). And only keep the things on your workspace that make you feel creative, productive and happy.

“You probably won’t reach peak productivity lying on your bed, but you don’t have to work in a sterile environment either, so make your workspace hygge.” – Meik Wiking, My Hygge Home (p. 193)

I like to add a touch of hygge (the Danish art of cosiness) to my office. Try adding plants, a rug, or an inspiring painting on the wall.

Keep your work space clear by having a regular tidying routine. I find that my desk becomes a dumping ground for homework, art projects and toys, among other things; this is the downside of having my office in the living room! So, to combat this, I tidy up at the end of the workday, and then again after the little one has gone to bed, so there are no toys or art projects on my desk when I sit down to write first thing in the morning!

6. Set fake deadlines

There’s nothing to focus the mind like a looming deadline.

However, if your deadline is still a while away, you might find yourself putting it off because ‘there is still plenty of time’. Next thing you know, that deadline is hovering over you and you haven’t even started. How do I know this? I’m talking from personal experience!

Try setting fake deadlines. For example, if you have a week to write a blog post, challenge yourself to write it in two days.

Parkinson’s Law says that “Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” Having less time to complete a task helps to cut down on faffing and procrastinating.

You’ll also avoid the stress that comes with rushing to get it done close to the deadline if you left it too long to get started. In fact, you can feel smug when you’ve got it done early!

And, finally, setting a fake deadline gives you wriggle room if you do fall behind schedule.

7. Start a writing ritual

If, like me, you struggle to get started and find yourself procrastinating, a starting ritual might help. This is a series of things you do just before you start to write. Eventually, your brain associates these activities with writing and you’ll find it quicker to get into the zone.

What you choose to do in your starting ritual is up to you. It could be putting on a particular playlist, making a special cup of tea that you only drink while writing, or writing right after doing some stretches or yoga.

What will you include in your writing routine? I’d love for you to let me know in the comments below.

8. Keep a running list of ideas

Why do the best ideas come to us at the most random times?

Keeping a notebook handy at all times means you can quickly jot down ideas throughout your day, which you can revisit later, at a more practical time.

I actually have a few notebooks. A small one that fits in my handbag and I can carry around easily, one on my desk and one in my bedside table drawer. You could also use your phone. I love to use Google Keep for capturing ideas on the fly.

So, the next time you get an idea in the middle of the night, or in line at the supermarket, you can write it down. And when you need some inspiration or ideas, you can refer to your notebook(s).

9. Create an outline

An outline is the skeleton of your content, listing the key points you want to write about. Outlines make the writing process so much easier, yet it’s a step that’s often missed.

Writing an outline helps you to organise your thoughts and focus on what you want to write about. However, it doesn’t need to be perfect or set in stone, since it’ll likely change during the writing process, as you flesh out the details and develop your ideas.

Think of your outline as a starting point to help you get into the task and stay on topic. Additionally, you won’t be starting with the dreaded blank page as you’ll already have something to work with.

10. Avoid multi-tasking

While multi-tasking may seem like an efficient idea, did you know that it can lower productivity by up to 40%? That’s because we can’t focus on two or more tasks at a time. What we are really doing is switching our focus between tasks.

According to Cal Newport, author of Deep Work, “…switching your attention — even if only for a minute or two — can significantly impede your cognitive function for a long time to follow. More bluntly: context switches gunk up your brain.” – Source: Deep Habits: The Danger of Pseudo-Depth

Staying focused on your writing and eliminating distractions, such as email, texting and surfing the web will save you time and mental energy, and help you focus, which will make you more productive.

I also try to concentrate on one writing step at a time. For example, reading research materials, writing an outline or draft, revising for content, editing, or proofreading. By not jumping back and forth between tasks, I find that my process is much more efficient.

Bonus tip: Just start writing

Just sit down on your bahookie and start writing. It doesn’t matter if you have writers block or don’t know what to write. Getting started is the key. And as you write, ideas will come to you.

When I write my first draft, I just write whatever comes to mind and try not to go back and edit my sentences or spelling mistakes. (Easier said than done, I know!)

Your first draft doesn’t have to be perfect – that’s what editing is for. Also, it’s better to have something crappy on the page than nothing at all. After all, there’s a reason people call it the crappy first draft.

I also make notes as I’m going along, for example: “[research this and write something about it here]” or “[put an example here]”. This helps to stay in the writing flow if I’m having a bit of a block, and stops me from wandering off down a research rabbit hole.

I hope some of these tips help you in your goal to building a better writing habit, or to generally get more done. Not all the tips will work for everyone; these are just the things that have worked for me. Feel free to try out and adapt the tips that appeal and work for you, and ditch what doesn’t.

Are you going to try any of these tips? Or do you have any other productivity tips? I’d love to hear them. Let me know in the comments below.