Work On Your Writing Before Finding the “Right” Tools

The right tool won’t make any difference if you don’t have anything to put in them

You’ve seen the ads for the latest and greatest writing tools, especially with AI.

• Write faster!
• Publish more!
• Be more efficient!

Then there are tools like Notion, Obsidian, Roam — they all make similar promises of finally getting “organized.”

But before you jump headfirst into using one of those tools, you need to get something else in order first.

Your personal writing practice.

Tools are not magic.

While tools and automation can certainly help, they aren’t magic.

No rabbits come tumbling out of the hat once you start a new document in a brand-new tool.

Even the AI outputs are hard to manage.

If your foundational habits and practices are not solidified, these tools won’t do anything except make your problems worse.

If you want to be a world-class chef, do you start by purchasing the most advanced kitchen gadgets? Or do you begin by mastering the basic techniques of cooking?

Like a chef learning to chop vegetables efficiently, a writer needs to master their personal practices before automating everything.

You have to know what you’re doing with what you have before you find the “perfect” tool.

What makes for good personal writing practices?

So, what does it look like to “master personal practices”?

Knowing you’re never going to be perfect, consider these:

1. Cultivate regular writing rituals

Set aside specific times during the day dedicated solely to writing and your daily idea list.

Try early mornings, late evenings, or any time you find your mind at its sharpest.

If I don’t have a lot of meetings for my regular job, I usually create headlines, list out 10 ideas for the day, and work on any drafts for personal writing before I dive into my full-time marketing work.

I’m also more of a night owl, so I'll write then as well after the family has gone to bed.

2. Create a distraction-free environment

One unlock is to designate a spot where you know you’ll work.

This could be a spare bedroom, a certain nook in the living room, or a completely different place — like your work office, coffee shop or co-working space.

Those places aren’t necessarily special — but it’s a trigger in my ind that this time is for work.

It’s important to have a writing environment that naturally minimizes distractions.

The environment may also mean a time of day. During COVID lockdowns, this was near-impossible to do with kids and my wife around. I had to shift my preference for reading and writing to later at night when it was quiet.

Now about your phone? If you’re at home, you may want to leave it another room. Other options include airplane mode or throwing it in a drawer or a box that you won’t open for several hours. Your willpower will be put to the test.

Currently, I’m working in a coworking space near my apartment complex. They don’t allow meetings in there, so it’s completely quiet and soundproof.

3. Manage your mindset

Find that place where you’re always going to work.

Make your to-do list.

Take breaks if you’re frustrated.

Give your mind a break (and away from the screen) by reading a physical book or simply taking a short walk.

4. Practice, practice, and then yes, practice again

Just as a musician practices their scales, a writer should practice their craft.

This could mean daily journaling, taking on small writing prompts, or rewriting existing pieces.

I’ve created several posts with writing prompts that may help you.

Once these practices are firmly in place, then — and only then — should you consider the multitude of writing tools available.

Your first priority should be to cultivate solid writing habits and practices.

Once these are in place, you’ll find that not only do you write faster and more efficiently, but the quality of your work will also dramatically improve.

It’s the foundation that will influence your writing the most. You won’t get much done without it.

Now, it’s time for the tools.

I’m not going to offer any particular recommendations in this post. Just start with what you have. Pen and loose paper does the job. Or buy a legal pad. Google Docs is fine. Apple Notes is underrated.

Get real writing done, and set up your routines before fussing over your tech stack.

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