NicoleIt’s that time of year again—fall deadlines are looming, and the holidays are just around the corner. If you’re an academic or a writer, you may already feel the pressure building to finish that paper, article, or manuscript before Christmas. And yet, finding time to write feels harder than ever.
It’s easy to get caught in the belief that you need hours of uninterrupted time to make meaningful progress on your writing. (I used to think “I need a whole day” or “I need the whole weekend.”
But here’s the truth: you don’t need hours. What you need is a strategy to make the most of the time you do have—whether it’s 10 minutes, 20 minutes, or half an hour. As a writer’s coach who specialises in helping authors with day jobs and a busy life, I’ve learned: writing in short, focused bursts can dramatically change how much you accomplish – and relieve that end-of-year stress.
In this post, I’ll share a few key strategies you can implement today to start writing effectively in small windows of time. These are just a taste of the tools I’ll be teaching in my 7-Day Write Habit Booster—the perfect solution for busy writers.
1. Clarify Your Next Step
One of the biggest time-wasters is this: You sit down to write, but then you’re spending the first 10 or 15 minutes figuring out what you’re supposed to be doing. In the limited writing windows you have, that’s precious time lost. Worse still, the risk that you’ll go to emails or other distractions (that are more clear than your writing task) is high!
So, if you’re going to maximise short sprints, you need to know exactly what you’re working on before you start.
To fix this, break down your larger writing project into specific, actionable tasks. Instead of a vague goal like “work on my manuscript” or “finish my article,” you want to get as clear as possible. Ask yourself:
- What part of this project can I complete in 10 or 20 minutes?
- Can you outline the next paragraph?
- Write 200 words? Review one section of your draft?
Note how I distinguish between “outline”, “write” and “review” – those action verbs signal the exact task (and planning or outlining is part of writing!).
By breaking your project into bite-sized tasks at the start, you can dive straight into writing, knowing what to work on. You won’t waste time thinking about where to start—and you’ll make progress, no matter how short your sprint is.
Action Step: Before your next writing session, spend 5 minutes making a list of small tasks for your project. This way, you’ll always know your next move.
2. Write in Short, Focused Sprints
There’s a myth that writing requires long, uninterrupted stretches of time. Rowena Murray calls these “binges”, and we all think that’s the holy grail. But it isn’t.
The reality is that you can achieve a lot in short bursts if you approach it with intention. Writing sprints—short sessions of focused writing—are incredibly effective, even when you only have 10 or 15 minutes.
The key is to have a goal ready, set a timer, and commit to writing without distractions during that time. You’ll be amazed at how much you can get done in just 10 minutes when you focus solely on the task at hand. What’s more, knowing that you only have a limited time forces you to get words on the page, without overthinking or letting perfectionism slow you down.
These short sprints may not seem like much individually, but they add up fast. If you can fit two or three 10-minute sprints into your day, you’re suddenly looking at 30 minutes of focused writing—without needing to block off a huge chunk of time in your schedule.
Action Step: Try setting a timer for 10 minutes and challenge yourself to write without stopping. Repeat this two or three times throughout the day, and see how much progress you make. In my 7-Day Write Habit Booster I show you how to find the perfect tasks for 10-minute slots.
3. Create a Flow Ritual
When your time is limited, you need to maximise every minute. One way to do this is by creating a pre-writing ritual that helps you switch into “writing mode” quickly. This ritual acts as a cue to your brain, signalling that it’s time to focus.
Your flow ritual doesn’t have to be complicated—it could be something as simple as making a cup of coffee, putting on noise-cancelling headphones, or clearing your desk. The idea is to create a consistent set of actions that you do before every writing session. Over time, this ritual will help you mentally transition into a state of focus more quickly, so you waste less time “warming up.”
The beauty of this approach is that it works even if you only have a few minutes to write. By using a flow ritual, you condition your brain to get into the zone faster, meaning more of your time goes toward actual writing.
Action Step: Choose a simple flow ritual to practice before each writing session. Stick to it consistently, and watch how it helps you focus more quickly. In my 7-Day Write Habit Booster I show you how to find the perfect ritual based on what your body and mind needs (with examples).
4. Use the 10-Minute Rule
When life gets busy and time feels short, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you can’t write at all. But the truth is, you can make progress with as little as 10 minutes. That’s where the 10-Minute Rule comes in: commit to writing for just 10 minutes, even if you don’t feel like it.
The magic of this rule is that it lowers the mental barrier to starting. Ten minutes feels manageable—anyone can find 10 minutes in their day. More often than not, once you start, you’ll find yourself writing for longer. But even if you don’t, you’ve made progress. And those small steps add up over time.
Action Step: On busy days, apply the 10-Minute Rule. Commit to writing for just 10 minutes, and watch how it builds momentum over time. We will practice this rule in the 7-Day Write Habit Booster – there’s a special training for it, and a workbook to fill it in.
The Solution: The 7-Day Write Habit Booster
These are just a few of the powerful strategies I teach in my 7-Day Write Habit Booster, designed to help busy writers like you make real progress, even with little time. In just one week, you’ll learn how to use writing sprints, overcome perfectionism, and create a flow ritual that keeps you productive. Plus, you’re actually doing a writing sprint, live with me, and make massive progress on a piece of writing. It’s not one of those self-paces courses you sign up for and never do.
If you’re serious about finishing your project before Christmas, this program will give you the tools and support you need to make it happen.
Only 10 Early Bird spots available—save over 30% when you book before October 20th!
