Writers have a lot to do.
Maybe you’ve discovered that. Wherever you may be in your writing journey, you’ve probably encountered the many tasks a writer has to accomplish (especially during tax season, can I get a witness?): write, rewrite, edit, proofread, get critique, rewrite again, research, review, submit, record submissions, follow up submissions, book travel, register for conferences, pack for conferences, recover from conferences, and more. It can be overwhelming.
That’s why I have long followed a weekly productivity practice that helps me to stay sane. Okay, okay, “helps me to seem sane.” Happy now?
Every Sunday evening, I plan and schedule the coming week. And I ask myself three questions about upcoming events and tasks:
What can I automate?
What can I delegate?
What can I eradicate?
See how they rhyme? That just shows how inspired they are.
But seriously, folks, those three questions are an indispensable part of my writing life. In a fairly normal week, I might answer the first question by registering a recurring bill for autopay or, instead of writing a sticky note to remember something, tell Siri (because I’m one of those cool iPhone users) to “remind me to take out the trash every Monday at 7 p.m.” See how easy that was?
The next question, “What can I delegate?” focuses me on tasks I can assign to others: my assistant, a travel agent, an Instacart grocery service, etc.
And, finally, “What can I eradicate?” alerts me to the tasks I can simply eliminate (because that also rhymes) from my schedule or to-do list. Sure, I could write a fevered letter-to-the-editor of my local newspaper pointing out the misplaced apostrophe in their page one headline yesterday …. but it’s not necessary. And, yes, I put that free dinner to learn more about solar power in my calendar; but on further thought, I can unRSVP and eradicate that event from my schedule. What a relief!
At the end of each month, I also apply these questions to my plans for the next month. I still keep plenty busy, of course; but this little productivity routine helps me to focus on the most important tasks and events. Like writing this blog post … at least until AI can do it for me.
What I Am Looking for: Lynette Eason
I have to ask myself this night
just what can I leave
out of that I wish to write,
for it’s gotten very hard to breathe,
and though this is a ministry
(an odd one, to be sure),
and needs resolved consistency,
it’s getting harder to endure
the focus that’s required
to place in every fourteen lines
something hopeful and inspired,
to leave a smile in bitter times,
so the only question I need ask
is, ‘Lord, will You brace me to this task?’
Dear Andrew—
Like King Wenceslaus,
you leave a goodly trail,
You toss
bouquets of phrases
with intent—
And as the scent
Of joyful sacrifice is caught,
A higher, deeper life is sought
By readers who,
like me,
will tread
In footsteps warm
where you have lead.
Karen, thank you. The days get so hard, and there just don’t seem to be any pizza-and-beer breaks.
‘I have learned,’ he wryly said,
of the wisdom of the sages,
and now, with bowed exhausted head,
I bleed upon my pages
Always thought that a cliche,
presumption and a plea for pity,
but now I think I have to say
in this apologetic ditty
that writing from a riven heart
is unalterably true,
and in its pathos plays the part
of reaching out from me to you
to cut it all right to the bone
that you’ve never been alone.
Amen and amen. My small group continues to hold you up in prayer, dear brother in Christ!
Karen, I appreciate that more than I can say.
Dear Bob, brilliant filter questions! The rhyming is a terrific bonus. Thanks for sharing these!
Hi Bob, thank you for sharing these tips to help balance my day job with my writing endeavors. I can easily get lost in the weeds of insignificant tasks that drain my time and energy. Since I’m currently transitioning from one day job to another this is a timely reminder that I need to be diligent in looking for tasks to eradicate or weeds to kill. 😉 Thanks for sharing!
I love your questions … and your sense of humor. A good start to my day.
It is a battlefield. Thank you for your helpful list.
Excellent productivity questions, Mr. Hostetler! And with your special touch of humor, they become even more memorable. Thank you so much! 🙂
One of the best posts on productivity I’ve ever read. Real, yet practical too.
Thank you!
I set a reminder on my phone and had a short thrill murmuring “automate.” Thanks for the immediately helpful questions!