How to Develop a Daily Writing Habit Even if You’re Busy
Ask successful authors the secret to becoming a top writer.
90% will tell you to write daily. That’s true. You must practice to become a better writer.
However, it’s easier said than done. You will face several setbacks in your journey — talk of writer’s block, burnout, personal struggles, and many more.
How will you emerge victorious in that brutal war?
The truth is there’s no secret formula for creating content daily. You only need guidance from a writer who does it.
Fortunately, I’ve been creating content daily for the past five months. So I can teach you a lot about it. Below are the hacks I wish I had known earlier.
Take it real slow
Great things have humble beginnings. Even the best authors once struggled with creating content.
That means you can’t cheat the process. You must also start from somewhere.
So start small instead of trying to achieve huge goals overnight. Writing daily isn’t about finishing a 2000-word guide.
My writer mum says writing ten sentences every day is better than trying to do the most. It will help you develop a good writing habit, and that’s what matters.
Pro tip: Begin with doing 100 or 250 daily, then grow from there. You will build your writing momentum for bigger word counts.
Change your mindset today
Many writers condition themselves to create content during specific hours. They follow a morning or evening writing routine. Perhaps you fall in that category.
Don’t set a perfect time for writing. You will struggle to show up regularly. Here’s why:
You’ll never have full control over nature. Life will always happen. For example, if you’re a morning person, you will be tired of waking up to work some days.
But if you’re a versatile writer, you can hit your daily writing goals in the morning, noon, or evening. You will strengthen your writing habit.
Ignore the toxic thoughts
Showing up to write every day is not as easy as it seems. You will face many mental challenges that will slow you down. For example:
- Your mind will convince you that you’re tired
- You’ll feel like postponing writing
- Your demons will tell you that your writing is bad
- You will feel like quitting writing
Many writers experience such feelings. What matters is how you handle them. You can sink in your toxic thoughts or ignore them. Choose the latter.
Become helpful (Try this hack)
Let’s face it:
You won’t feel like doing your personal projects daily. Chances are you’ll have some bad days when you crave new excitement.
The good news is there are good ways to practice writing without doing your projects.
For instance, use your writing skills to help others online. Join a social media platform like Quora and answer questions in your area of expertise. You will subconsciously sharpen your writing skills while helping your peers.
The gratitude from the people you’ve assisted will motivate you to keep sharing. That’s one of the best ways to practice writing.
Master this powerful art
Writers who can work anywhere are unstoppable. They don’t wait to be in a specific place to write.
Instead, they enjoy creating content everywhere. For example, some writers do it when:
- Camping in the woods
- Dreaming in their sleep
- Traveling
- Roaming the beach
- Seated on the toilet seats, etc.
Do the same.
Walk with your writing tools. Jot down your thoughts when you get inspiration.
You will adapt to working anywhere. Writing will become a part of your life.
Journal at the right time
Journaling entails writing your thoughts in a more organized way. By doing it daily, you will learn to organize your ideas and build a good writing habit.
I recommend you journal before bedtime. Here’s what you can note down:
- The tasks you did during the day
- What went wrong
- What you could have done better
- The emotions you felt
Journaling daily will make you feel better about yourself. You’ll develop a deep love for writing, then transfer the energy into your creative projects.
Make writing fun
Writing is hard. However, you will start enjoying it if you make it fun. Here’s how I do it.
I break the monotony of using one medium for content creation. I never force myself to use my laptop when I don’t want to. Instead, I switch to my tablet, mobile phone, or notebook.
There are other good ways to motivate yourself to enjoy creating content. For instance, you can treat yourself after hitting daily milestones, change your work environment, etc.
Find your unique way of thanking yourself for making an effort to write.
Set a timely reminder
Have a busy schedule? If so, you’re likely to sideline writing and do it when you are free. That’s how you will kill your writing ambitions.
A simple reminder can help you commit to content creation, especially if you’re busy. Create a to-do writing list, then set a reminder that will keep you on your toes.
Tip: Let the notification float on your phone’s screen. You will see it every time you open your phone, then think about your daily writing goals.
Appreciate your progress
Writing is a marathon, not a sprint. You can’t build your writing skills and confidence in a day. It takes time.
That’s why you should document your journey.
Keep the articles you write daily. Re-read them when you’ve lost motivation to create. You will notice you’re making progress, even if it’s little.
You might even recall your darkest days and smile, e.g., when you couldn’t finish writing an article.
That’s enough motivation to keep writing to become the best version of yourself.
Enjoy success stories
Reading success stories is a productivity booster. It will motivate you to work on yourself.
For instance, some writers used to struggle to finish 100 words, but now they’re doing 5000+ words. Others like J. K. Rowling overcame the odds and now write best-selling books. Such successful writers must have taken some specific action.
Those are the stories you should be reading. They are relatable and inspiring. You will get the power to overcome your writing hurdles.
Pro tip: Note what the authors did to go from grass to grace. Be open to learning, and you’ll make your success story.
Don’t seek validation from anyone
Many aspiring writers prefer to show off their work to their friends and family. That’s a risky move. It can kill your writing ambitions.
Your close ones can mock you or laugh at your pieces. You will struggle to heal from that. You might even contemplate quitting writing forever.
Instead, seek validation from within. You will feel good about your progress and continue showing up even if you’ve not created your best work yet.
Bonus tip: hire an experienced writing coach to give you constructive criticism. You don’t need any mockery in your life.
Build your daily writing habit
Writing daily is a surefire way to join the league of the top writers. It’s hard but doable if you set your mind to it. If others can do it, why not you?
So go through my list again, pick the tips you like then take massive action.
You will find yourself creating content daily without struggling. That will mark the beginning of your fruitful relationship with this sacred art.
