"Here’s How I Made the Time to Write 2 Bestselling Books: 15 Unconventional Lessons about Life, Money, and Success"

"Here’s How I Made the Time to Write 2 Bestselling Books: 15 Unconventional Lessons about Life, Money, and Success"

Committing to a writing routine is a challenge. But if writing a book is important to you, you have to make time for it. If you’ve made attempts already, I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that writing is hard work. I’ve written two books and countless articles, and it wasn’t, and still isn’t, easy.

The only way you will commit to a writing routine is if writing a book fulfills one of your values. Our values are attributes of the person we want to be. By identifying our values, we can then determine the activities that help us fulfill them; those activities are known as traction. If you feel compelled to write a book, chances are it fulfills your value of wanting to be creative, driven, ambitious, or curious. And if writing fulfills one of your values but you don’t make time for it, you’ll likely feel discomfort.

Renowned author Maya Angelou said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” I would argue that “agony” is the discomfort a person feels if they want to write but never follow through. Your reason for writing a book has to be values-based because it is the foundation of your writing routine. There will likely be many doubt-filled moments along your writing journey that might convince you to quit. Having a clear values-based reason for why you’re doing it, such as wanting to nurture your creative side, will keep you on the path toward traction.

Building a writing routine, not a writing habit, is key. A habit is a behavior that requires no conscious thought, and that is certainly not writing. How much time do you want to give to living out your values? Make it specific. Whatever period of time you choose, block off that writing time in a timeboxed calendar to help you stay on schedule. By timeboxing, you can get real about how much time you have for your writing routine in relation to your other tasks. It forces you to turn your values into time and prioritize which values are most important because there’s only so much time available each day.

Timeboxing also frees you from basing your progress on word count or the quality of your writing. Some days, getting words onto paper or the computer screen feels like prying each word out with pliers. Using timeboxing, traction isn’t measured by output. All that matters is that you show up to do what you said you would when you said you would without distraction. Don’t worry about timeboxing every minute of your day for now. Just schedule your writing hours, and make sure you adhere to them.

Internal triggers are negative feelings that cue us from within and drive us to seek relief through distraction. They are why you find yourself picking up your smartphone to scroll through Instagram when you should be focusing on a boring or challenging task. It’s normal for authors to feel discomfort every day. But are you going to be a victim to the feeling? You have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Many people also get discouraged when they don’t hit a “flow,” an enlightened state of mind in which they feel unstoppable, focused, and highly effective. Waiting to conjure a state of flow just makes them more susceptible to distraction. Whenever I feel doubt, pity, stress, anxiety, or uncertainty, I repeat to myself, "This is what it feels like to get better." A powerful method is to explore the internal trigger with curiosity instead of contempt. Try surfing the urge: When an internal trigger pops up, notice the sensations and ride them like a wave. Neither pushing them away nor acting on them helps us cope until the feelings subside. This is similar to the 10-minute rule: Wait 10 minutes before giving in to a distraction, and you might find you no longer have that urge.

Reimagine the task of writing by looking for the fun. You might add play to your writing by adding constraints or variability; for example, challenge yourself to alternate short and long sentences or vary your sentence openings. Hacking back these external triggers so they don’t interrupt you during your timeboxed writing period is crucial.

Schedule syncing is when we collaborate with the people in our life to build a schedule and be transparent about how we spend our time. It enables us to fulfill our obligations to others and to ourselves. It also lets others know when we’re available and when we aren’t. A common misconception is that writing is a solitary act. In my experience, writing a book is more likely to happen when other people get involved. Many writers find that a writer’s group is essential. Writer’s groups offer support in myriad ways. They provide feedback on your writing and a sympathetic ear during the infuriating writing process. Most importantly, they hold you accountable, acting as a precommitment pact.

I myself made a price pact with a friend to write Indistractable (after many false starts, half-finished chapters, and incomplete outlines): I agreed to pay him $10,000 if I didn’t finish a first draft of the book by a set date. We got together daily to work next to each other in 45-minute sprints. Then we’d take a quick break and start again. Having him there, plus the threat of losing a huge sum of money, ensured I’d finish the manuscript and keep my money. You might also have success with making an identity pact—a precommitment to a self-image that helps us pursue what we really want.

Now, let's shift our focus to unconventional lessons about life, money, and success. When it comes to achieving success, it's important to ask 'why' five times. By asking 'why' repeatedly, you can uncover your real objective and find the most direct path to achieve it. Many people waste time and effort chasing after superficial goals without understanding the deeper reasons behind them.

Another crucial lesson is the importance of making friends and learning fast. Surrounding yourself with supportive and knowledgeable individuals can accelerate your growth and success. By building strong relationships and seeking advice from those who have already achieved what you desire, you can avoid making unnecessary mistakes and gain valuable insights.

Additionally, it's essential to make everyone want you on their team. Understanding what people want, whether they are colleagues, clients, or partners, allows you to communicate effectively and save them time. Instead of trying to sound smart, focus on speaking their language and providing solutions to their problems. This approach will make you a valuable asset and open doors for new opportunities.

Failures are inevitable on the path to success, but not all failures are useful. By asking around and gathering the best mistakes people have already made, you can avoid repeating them yourself. Learning from the experiences of others can save you time, money, and frustration.

Authenticity is often misunderstood. It's not about fully expressing every aspect of yourself at all times. Instead, show up as a professional and bring your best qualities to work. Leave your worst traits at home and focus on delivering exceptional results. By being persistent and continuously pursuing what you want, you increase your chances of success. Don't let obstacles or rejections deter you. The real differentiators are resilience and grit.

In life, there will always be trade-offs. You can have anything, but you cannot have everything. It's important to prioritize and make conscious choices about what truly matters to you. Being successful and having an awesome career should never be an excuse to treat people poorly. Kindness, consideration, and helpfulness go a long way in building meaningful relationships and creating a positive impact.

To conclude, if writing a book is a goal of yours, it's crucial to commit to a writing routine that aligns with your values. By timeboxing and managing internal and external triggers, you can create a conducive environment for writing. Additionally, seeking support from others and holding yourself accountable can greatly increase your chances of success. In life, understanding your true objectives, learning from others' mistakes, and prioritizing what matters most are key ingredients for achieving success. Remember to be kind, considerate, and persistent on your journey, and you'll be well on your way to living a fulfilling and successful life.