Summary

The article outlines a prolific writer's daily routine and strategies for generating ideas and producing content consistently, despite a busy schedule.

Abstract

The writer admits to a cluttered workspace that mirrors a mind focused on progress and creativity. The article emphasizes the importance of lowering the bar for ideas to encourage consistent writing and publishing. Ideas are sourced from everyday experiences and structured thinking techniques, such as Inversion Thinking, StoryFirst Thinking, and the 7:2:1 method. The writing process is described as iterative, starting with a messy first draft and gradually refined, with the writer acknowledging a dislike for editing. The routine involves early mornings, coffee, dog walks, and around 2-3 hours of writing daily, with flexibility for other projects. The writer's philosophy is that writing is an extension of thinking, leading to high productivity. The article also promotes the Part-Time Creator Club as a resource for like-minded individuals.

Opinions

The author believes in the importance of a messy first draft as a means to get thoughts onto paper.
There is a focus on quantity and consistency over the pursuit of perfect ideas.
The author suggests that one can be a successful writer even if they dislike aspects of the writing process, like editing.
Ideation is key, and the author provides specific techniques and everyday activities as sources for inspiration.
The writer's routine is adaptable and integrated into their lifestyle, showing that productivity can be achieved amidst a busy schedule.
Joining a community like the Part-Time Creator Club can be beneficial for creators balancing their passion with a full-time job.

My Radical Writing Routine That Helps Me Write An Article a Day (Whilst Working 9–5)

It’s wild

Full disclosure, my desk is a mess.

I have books stacked high, an empty coffee mug and a half-drunk glass of water. A notebook lays at an angle next to a letter that is still (13 days later) unopened. An empty packet of medicine lays next to a whiteboard that has endless scribbles on it.

It all sort of represents my mind. This space is the physical representation of what’s going on upstairs. It’s sporadic, passionate and concerned with one thing: forward motion.

So if you’re trying to juggle writing with working, this is for you.

How I come up with ideas

The trouble is, most people think they need ‘knock your socks off’ ideas. They’ve put the bar so high they never press publish because they’re striving for too much.

Instead, I say lower the bar. The first objective is to get into the habit of pressing publish. To get a feel for writing. You do that by having idea systems.

Ideas come from a million places:

Dog walks
Books I’m reading
YouTube videos I’m listening too

But also, there are ways to ideate to create new ideas from existing thoughts. I do this all the time when I’m getting stuck.

Inversion Thinking
StoryFirst Thinking
7:2:1 method

I write extensively about ideation and have an ideation module on my course that might help you if you’re getting stuck.

How I write

I show up, I tap away at whatever is in my mind, I spill everything onto the page and then I come and clean it up later. The first draft is a total mess.

Honestly, it’s barely readable.

The second draft is slightly better. I should spend more time on editing but honestly, I sort of hate it. And that’s okay. You don’t need to be good at everything.

You can hate editing and still be a writer. Trust me.

I write messy, from the heart and clean up most of the mess after. It works for me.

How long it takes

I wake up at 6 am. I write. I drink coffee. I pet my dogs.

I walk my dogs at about 7:30 a.m., I’m at work at 8:30 a.m. Then after work, I’ll write for a little bit depending on how I’m feeling. It means most days I write for 2–3 hours a day.

On the weekends it’s roughly the same. Then everything gets shifted around if I’m buidling a product or service. I’ve just started a new sprint (3 months) working on building my next product, so things are a little different currently.

So needless to say, I’ve got a lot on.

The way I write so much

You know this isn’t for everyone and that’s okay but I write so much because it helps me think. Really, writing is an extension of my thought process.

If you didn’t get the sarcasm in the subtitle I apologise.

The truth is my writing routine is not radical, wild or exciting. It’s simple.

Think, write, think.

And because I happen to be thinking all the time, I write a good amount of words. It seems to work for me.

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