How I Write 2 Articles Most Mornings Before Work (With Little Effort)
The secret to producing a lot of content
I don’t use ChatGPT.
I don’t have anything against it, it’s an incredible piece of tech but the truth is, I like the writing process. I like the struggle, I like scratching my head and thinking of new ways to say things.
I like the way I do things.
So now that’s over and done with, let’s get into how I produce 2,000 words each morning.
Non-negotiable outlines
I have 78 draft article outlines.
Whenever I get a thought, I’ll document it down in a draft. I’ll write headline ideas, and article ideas, everything goes in my drafts.
On a good day, I will have sifted through said 78 drafts and picked which 2 I’ll be writing about the morning after. But not every day is a good day. So often I find myself sifting through for 10 minutes before getting started (it’s something I’m working on).
Every article starts with an outline, I won’t write an article without one. Each article has a loose heading, with each section having a brain dump of ideas and a rough outline of what I’m trying to say.
It’s a starting point.
Constraints force productivity
I have 2 hours (sometimes 3) before work to get writing.
I know I’ve got to write an article before 8:30 am or I don’t get to write until after work. It kicks me into gear. Deadlines have always been great for my productivity.
I know it’s either I do it now, or I don’t do it.
If I don’t do it now, that’s another day I’m missing out on writing which is bad for 2 reasons:
- Because I need to write to keep myself level-headed.
- Because I’m letting myself down and I hate that feeling.
It means that little voice in my head that says ‘I can’t be bothered’ gets silenced quickly. And that’s exactly what I need to do.
Words on a page
The best way to get started on a cold, dark morning, is to lower the barrier to entry. Here’s how I think about it:
- I’m not trying to write my best work.
- I’m trying to put words on a page.
It takes me 20 minutes to get warmed up. The thoughts come out slow and muddled. That doesn’t matter though, I’m just trying to get words on a page. Words on a page.
I’m not worried about choosing the right word or making things perfect. Nope. It’s just words on a page.
Edit later
I used to write and then edit in the same sitting.
I can’t believe I used to do that but I did. I find it nearly impossible to edit something after I’ve written it because the writing needs time to breathe. I need time away from it.
Instead, I write on one day and edit on another.
This has done wonders for my productivity. I don’t worry about perfection because I know I’ll be editing the piece in the next day or so.
Silence
Right now I have 2 tabs up, that’s it.
I have noise-cancelling headphones on, my watch next to my desk and an empty cup of coffee to my right. That’s it.
I try and minimise distractions as much as possible so I can just write. If I can hear the noise of the house, if I have several tabs up, if I’ve got my phone pinging off (not that it does), I’ll be distracted.
Distraction kills my productivity.
Idea capture
I’m always thinking.
When I think about a cool idea or a new way to think about something I’ll document that in my drafts to write about later. It’s a great way to capture ideas before they fly away.
Imagine future you
You know, there is one thing that kicks me into gear above anything else.
It never used to bother me before but now it’s the thing that gets me moving when nothing else does. It’s the thought that I’m letting myself down.
I’ve said to myself I want to write on the internet. I’ve said it’s important. I’ve said that if I don’t I’ll feel rubbish about life.
So I have a duty, to myself, to write on the internet. If for nothing else then it genuinely improves my mood and makes me happier. It’s the thought that I’m letting myself that pushes me further.
Get the exact system I’ve used to go from zero to 9.5k on Medium whilst working full-time.