How to Find Time to Write When You Don’t Have Time
This week we have a guy who desperately wants to escape his soulless career and become a writer, but he’s too busy to write. Should he quit his job to finally find time to work on paper? Or will he realize that he can find time for his passion if he wants to dig deeper?
Some people have problems that require the delicate advice of a qualified professional. Others just need a random guy on the internet to kick them in the teeth (i.e. honestly). I am the last one. Welcome back to Tough Love .
Note: I am by no means a therapist or medical professional. People ask for my advice, and I give them. End of transaction. If you have any problems, please submit a formal complaint here . Now that it doesn’t get in the way, let’s continue:
Dear Patrick,
I have been working as a lawyer for two years. I went to law school because I wanted to learn how to think, write and publish civil law / human rights material with a certain amount of credibility. Realizing my huge law school debt, I took a well-paid job at a law firm to ensure financial stability and independence. My parents won’t be able to support me if things go wrong.
But my job is soulless, and sometimes it’s difficult for me to get out of bed and come to work. I haven’t really written anything new (not work-related) since law school. I want to write more for myself, but in the end my brain is clouded and my willpower is completely depleted. I have nothing to give. I’m especially weak right away when I’m home from work because I’m in a bad mood and want instant gratification, so I usually give in to watching TV or other escapism until I have to go to bed and start again. the whole cycle next time. day. I tried my best to use the free time I have to write, but I can’t seem to get it. All of the productivity articles in the world about time management, etc. Didn’t work. I am at the point where I feel like the only way to move forward is to quit my job.
Moving to another job as a forensic professional is not really a solution because the job requirements are quite universal. The only difference is less pay for less difficult / boring work with other employers. I am worried that if I find another job, even illegal, I will hate it too and quit a job that was at least stable and well paid. If I stop working, I fear that the lack of a place to go to every day, a lack of deadlines or people to whom I am accountable will make me undisciplined, and then I will not actually write. Plus, I would have no money and would be too anxious to take care of myself financially to focus on writing.
Part of me thinks that I should stay here and maybe someday I will grow up to enjoy and appreciate my current job. Another part of me thinks that the longer I stay, the more I lose touch with what I always hoped to do and who I will become. I don’t want to be sad and sorry. What should I do?
Thank you wannabe writer
Hello wannabe writer :
I went through a similar process before becoming a professional writer. I wanted to be published, but I was already working on a demanding office job, waiting five hours every day. After work I went home and ate because I was completely exhausted. I never had time to sit down and click those keys, especially with a rested mind. I was against the ropes, convinced that I would be stuck where I was forever. You are now at a similar crossroads, WW. Right now, the question for you is not “How do I become a writer?” It’s simple – you write. You have to ask yourself the question, “Do I really want to be a writer?” This is a simple yes or no question that is harder to answer than you might think because there is no leeway.
When I was at my own crossroads, I learned the most valuable lesson in my career: you cannot find the time to do what you are passionate about, you are doing time. You sacrifice a hobby, change your sleep schedule, remove distractions, grab your ear and drag your lazy butt to a computer with Wi-Fi turned off.
Are you saying you haven’t written since law school because you are too busy and tired?
This is horse shit.
Almost every writer starts out by working in a different job , myself included. I got up early and wrote before work; I spent all my weekends writing (do you have a weekend?); I wrote at supper; I even secretly wrote on difficult days at the office. WW, you either don’t want to commit or you don’t want to be a writer, plain and simple. If you really think about it and decide you don’t want to be a writer, that’s okay. You are simply going through a quarter-life crisis when everything seems routine and uncertain – as if you are trapped on an unsatisfactory path leading to a life devoid of passion. It will pass; don’t leave work. Volunteer, join a local club, exercise more, or do whatever you can to change your daily routine. You will feel better.
However, if you really want to become a writer, you still shouldn’t quit your job (it’s definitely not the only way forward), but you need to prove to yourself that writing while you are working is possible (and it is definitely possible.). So, here’s your recipe – mentally take every time you think you are too busy or lazy:
- Start thinking of yourself as a writer. I don’t care if you think it sounds silly – do it. You will never convince yourself to write more unless you allow yourself to believe that you are capable of it. You are a writer.
- Remind yourself that what you write doesn’t have to be good; he just needs to exist. Don’t let fear or perfectionism hold you back. In any case, the recording is a 90% revision. Write down a few fucking words.
- Take a close look at your daily routine and try to find a time when you are free. This is clearly there, so don’t lie to yourself. For a start, even a block of ten minutes is enough. You might be wondering how much time you actually have each day.
- Make a writing schedule. This is important because you need to make it a habit to write. No habit, no writing, no change in your life. If you know it is impossible to write at night because you are too tired from work, go to bed earlier and then get up earlier to write in the morning before work. Maybe even ask your boss if you can work from home a couple days a week and squeeze into the writing part during office hours. If you want changes, make changes. Through trial and error, you will eventually figure out what works for you.
- Stick to your written schedule . Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Egan says : “Exercise is a good analogy to writing. If you are not used to exercising, you should avoid it forever. If you are used to it, it will be awkward and weird not to. No matter where you are in your writing career, the same is true for a writer. Even fifteen minutes a day will keep the habit. ” Exercise, WW.
- When it’s time to write and you don’t know what to write, do this exercise instead: Write your bio in the third person. It forces you to write something, and it forces you to look at your life more analytically (which can help you clear up career confusion).
Repeat dosage if necessary. If the symptoms persist, reassess whether you really want to be a writer. Remember that productivity and time management articles are not suitable for squats unless you choose to follow the advice provided. It’s time to act, WW. Go write. This is the only thing that separates copycats from real writers.
That’s all for this week, but I still have a lot of frank and honest advice. Tell me what is bothering you? Maybe I can help. I probably won’t make you feel warm and misty inside, but sometimes you need tough love. Ask a question in the comments below or email me at the address you see at the bottom of the page ( please include “TIP” in the subject line ). Or tweet me #ToughLove ! Also, DO NOT E-MAIL ME IF YOU DO NOT WANT YOUR INQUIRY FUNCTIONAL AND PLEASE KEEP IT SHORT . I don’t have time to answer everyone for fun. “Until next time, figure it out yourself.