Editor’s Choice — Top 10: How to Make This Day Your Perfect Workday

Reading these top 10 writers will help you become a better writer

A perfect workday starts with imperfections and embraces every little mistake along the way. The product of a perfect workday is not always an excellent piece of writing, but the day brings deep satisfaction.

How can we achieve a satisfying workday? It would be different for full-time and part-time writers. But the basic principles are similar.

I have copied and pasted an infographic below that provides a detailed description of what to do at different times. You can read it to understand the details.

Start with 7–9 hours of sleep. If you are relaxed, your mind feels fresh, and you can be more creative. Then go for physical activity or at least a 20-minute walk. Lack of sleep and exercise will make your daily targets hard to achieve.

If you spend two extra hours sleeping or exercising, the additional freshness of your mind more than makes up for your lost time.

Start your day with the most demanding task. Some tasks require intense focus and more creativity — like writing your first draft. You can edit later when your energy goes a bit down. You can check emails and social media accounts at the end of your workday when your ability to focus has diminished significantly.

Always keep a record of what you did during the day. If you wrote a lot, record the factors responsible for your enhanced focus and creativity. If you failed to produce a story, list down the possible reasons.

June 7. Bad. Wrote nothing today. Tomorrow no time. — Franz Kafka, Diaries

Always keep a diary, or a file on your mobile or computer, open for recording your new ideas, killer sentences, or examples that explain what you want to say.

A writer’s day is full of making difficult decisions. From deciding the headline to choosing research and references, from choosing the questions that spark interest to a logical ending — the writer makes many choices that determine how her story will perform.

Don’t get overwhelmed by what you have to do during the day.

I admit I am always overwhelmed by the number of decisions I have to make. I feel anxious when I am writing. I started this piece by saying we should accept the mistakes, imperfections, and blunders — we are going to commit to a day’s work — to let our day be a perfect workday.

Let’s read our the top 10 writers who are managing their workday brilliantly:

10. An Inspiring Journey of Human Connection, and Words

Melissa Bee believes a writer’s words frame her life. She is an excellent writer herself. Her highly engaging style stirs emotions. Read this inspiring story and also check the work of other great writers mentioned in this piece. Don’t miss this one.

In March this year, I decided to write outside of my journal, revealing my thoughts for all eyes. At the time, I was scared out of my mind. Fear, doubt, and negativity, surged through the neurons in my brain, threatening to keep my words hidden in between the pages of black and white notebooks, forever.

My stories could have stayed bound, but here’s the thing — I traveled down that road all my life. I knew what that path led to, and it would bring me back to emptiness every time. I couldn’t do it anymore. Facing my fears have got to be better than this lonely writers road, I thought.

9. How Dr.Martens Became Iconic

Maximilian Perkmann is a blogger, product manager, tech and financial enthusiast. He is a superb writer as well. Do check his other work after reading this ‘cult brand’ story.

Upon the arrival of my first pair of Dr Martens boots, I got inspired by the iconic item. They can be seen at movie premieres as well as at live concerts, Emma Watson wears them as well as Orlando Bloom: Doc Martens are among the most sought-after shoe brands in the world. Over time, they have sometimes been less trendy, sometimes more. But today, the cult brand has established itself as a fixed part of the fashion world and yet is far more than just a fashion phenomenon.

8. What Happens Now That the Electoral College Confirmed Biden’s Win Yet Again?

Jennifer Geer loves to write about wellness and running. She is an extraordinary writer. Her style is simple, direct, and engaging. Do check her other work as well.

For someone who doesn’t like losing, soon-to-be-former President Trump continues to put himself up for devastating loss after devastating loss.

As he predicted, one of his nonsense lawsuits, the one from the state of Texas, made it all the way to the Supreme Court. What he didn’t predict was the conservative court unanimously dismissed the case almost immediately.

And now it’s official. The electoral college has met and affirmed victory for Joe Biden. There were no faithless electors. No state legislatures replaced the winning party’s electors for Trump loyalists. The day passed with no surprises, as it does every four years in America.

7. Tell-tale Signs That Your Child is Being Bullied

Jade-Ceres Violet D. Munoz is a digital marketer, a startup co-founder, a Book Fairy, a mom, and a writer. She lives in New Zealand.

Her writing style is conversational and engaging. Don’t forget to check her other work.

I met up with my girl group from high school a few months ago (BC — before Covid-19). One of them invited a common friend — someone I wasn’t particularly close with growing up. In that coffee session with the girls, we did something we haven’t done in years. We talked about high school.

I loved and hated my high school experience. I met the most amazing women there. They are still my closest friends 26 years later. I don’t remember much about that time in my life because it has almost been 3 decades, but what I can’t forget is the feeling that I had every time I stepped into my old alma mater. I always felt so small.

6. How to Stop Dating and Start a Relationship

Laura Silverstein, LCSW is idealistic couples therapist yearning to help build connection. She is a fabulous writer as well. If you like this story, follow her and check her other work.

You don’t want to go on another first date in your life. You’re ready for long-term love and can’t figure out why date after date isn’t working out. You start to wonder if it ever will.

You’re not sure if you can handle stressing out about another mini-breakup with someone you don’t even like, or looking at no new notifications as you’re waiting for a response to your text.

5. Women, You Don’t Have to be Mothers

Jamie Bean is a writer, criminology major, and gin enthusiast. Her style is honest, curious, and engaging. Do check her past work.

Women’s rights in first-world nations have advanced significantly within the past few decades. We have voting rights, jobs, opinions, and partners who are our equals, not superiors.

Most of us have stopped accepting casual sexism in both the workplace and amongst friends and family. If your grandmother told you to learn to cook, or that your career goals were too lofty, or that your dress was too promiscuous, you’d roll your eyes and remind her what year it is.

4. Speaking Out As a Black Woman Brings Death Threats from Trump Supporters

Jeanette C. Espinoza is a mom of two amazing humans and the author of 3 books. She is an outstanding writer. Her style is formal, well-researched, and highly engaging. You should follow her if you want to learn to write well.

Donald Trump’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, participated in a bizarre press conference on December 2nd with Michigan’s House Oversight Committee to discuss claims of mass voter fraud for the 2020 presidential election.

Besides subsequently testing positive for COVID-19 which caused the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration to site the Michigan House of Representatives with COVID workplace violations, Giuliani and his motley crew of witnesses proceeded to spread wild falsehoods regarding the integrity of the ballot counting process.

3. How The Phrase “I Will Try” Keeps Us Away From Achieving Our Goals

Laine Kaleja is a mindset and life purpose coach. She likes to learn more about psychology and personal growth.

She is a superb writer. Her writing style is full of wisdom and it is very engaging. She tells you new things about topics that affect your life. Don’t forget to check her other work.

What we think, we say, and what we say we do. Our results come from our actions. Before we take action, we have a thought, or we say a word.

One of the wisest steps in our growth process is to pay attention to our words. What are the words we use when we talk about ourselves, our dreams, goals, other people, our circumstances, and our commitment?

2. All Eyes on Georgia; What Will Happen in the Senate Runoffs

Dr. Dion is an extraordinary writer. You must have read at least one of her stories. If you haven’t here is your chance to become her fan. She is always adorable. If you follow her, you’ll wait for her next story.

The eyes of the country — and likely the world — are on the January 5, 2021 US Senate runoff elections in Georgia. Beyond the rare occurrence of two Senate seats in the same state up for grabs at the same time, both going to a runoff election is even more unusual. Couple that with the fact that the outcome determines who controls the US Senate and the fate of Biden’s presidency, and the stakes could not be higher.

In one race, Rev. Raphael Warnock, Senior Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church is challenging appointed incumbent Sen. Kelly Loeffler. In the other, Journalist Jon Ossoff is challenging first-term incumbent David Perdue. Warnock and Ossoff are Democrats; Warnock is Black, Ossoff is White (and Jewish, which his opponent has attempted to make a central issue in the campaign). Loeffler and Perdue are both wealthy, White Republicans who trade heavily in the stock market (which their opponents have attempted to make a central issue in the campaign).

1. Use The 5/5/5 Rule To Unlock Your Focus And Build Up Discipline

Jim Woods has published over 1,000 articles across 50+ publications. He writes books and tries to help others write books.

He is an exceptional writer. His style is engaging from the start to the end. If you started reading this story, you’d probably not be able to click away until you finish it.

Do follow him and don’t forget to check his other work.

Feeling stuck? Maybe lacking focus? Need some more discipline in your life?

I can help you out with that. And it won’t take much time at all either.

Here’s how we can do it: perspective. Perspective is very powerful. It’s probably one of the most powerful things you can ever give yourself. It’s why you hire a coach or get a mentor to help you grow. They give you a perspective that you cannot find on your own. Honestly, it’s even why many people hire a counselor too. That and sometimes we don’t trust ourselves fully.

In one race, Rev. Raphael Warnock, Senior Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church is challenging appointed incumbent Sen. Kelly Loeffler. In the other, Journalist Jon Ossoff is challenging first-term incumbent David Perdue. Warnock and Ossoff are Democrats; Warnock is Black, Ossoff is White (and Jewish, which his opponent has attempted to make a central issue in the campaign). Loeffler and Perdue are both wealthy, White Republicans who trade heavily in the stock market (which their opponents have attempted to make a central issue in the campaign).

Final Thoughts

If your story was selected as one of the Top 10, please share another one of your stories in the comments with a brief introduction and a short review that can convince a reader to read your piece. (Please write the review in the third person and start it with your name.)

I must have missed something today. I cannot read every story on Illumination and Illumination-Curated. Dr Mehmet Yildiz, the Chief Editor and Founder of Illumination and Illumination-Curated, read, highlighted, and applauded every good story when he started his publications. He still reads almost all of the good ones. I try — and fail daily — to read all of the masterpieces.

Dr Mehmet Yildiz has kindly allowed our top 10 series a full shelf on the front page of Illumination-Curated and Illumination:

So, help me. Help me to find and rank the best work of the writers of Illumination and Illumination-Curated.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

To improve your odds of success as a writer, read these curation guidelines.

You can read my curated stories here.