*Writers — Time is Precious

Summary

The website content emphasizes the importance of maintaining a time log for writers to gain insight into their time management and achieve a balanced life.

Abstract

The article titled "Writers — Time is Precious" suggests that writers can benefit significantly from keeping a time log to track how they spend their time. It argues that ignoring the value of time leads to a lack of self-awareness and responsibility, especially in the writing profession. The time log is recommended as a tool to reflect on daily activities, identify time-wasters, and ensure that writing and personal care are prioritized. By dedicating a week to log time spent on various tasks, writers can evaluate if they are overloading their schedules, neglecting family, or sacrificing sleep. The article also encourages writers to assess their work-life balance, including time spent on their 9-5 job, writing-related activities, and personal relaxation. Ultimately, the goal is to help writers lead a more balanced and fulfilling life, with the guidance of their faith and the wisdom to plan and rest adequately.

Opinions

Keeping a time log is crucial for writers to understand how they allocate their time and to ensure they are not trying to fit too much into their day.
Writers should prioritize their family and personal needs, not just their writing and professional obligations.
Unnecessary phone or texting time can significantly eat into productive writing hours.
Online games and shopping can be major distractions that need to be monitored and controlled.
Allocating time for planning and relaxation is essential for a writer's productivity and mental health.
A weekly review of time management can reveal insights into work habits and areas for improvement.
The article suggests that spiritual guidance can help in achieving a balanced life.
The importance of a full night's sleep is highlighted as a key factor in maintaining productivity and well-being.
The article promotes the idea of subscribing for more insights and offers a book for anxious women as a resource for managing a busy life.

That’s precisely the point!

When we deny ourselves the time it takes to really LOOK and SEE how our time is spent, we shirk our responsibility to ourselves, especially as a WRITER.

When we find ourselves picking up speed, juggling multiple tasks and the stress begins to build, that’s a perfect opportunity to take a longer look at what is happening in our lives.

The TIME LOG is an excellent way to discover how we use our time. Whether we keep a Time Log on paper or online, it is important to do every once in a while.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

Am I trying to fit 36 hours' worth of work into 24 hours?

Does my family get the best hours of my day or only the leftovers?

Do I have time to take care of household necessities or am I too busy in other areas?

Is unnecessary time on the phone or texting (personal or business use) chewing up precious minutes?

Do I begin playing online games or shopping just to take a break and find HOURS have flown by and I never did ANY writing?

Are there spaces in my day that allow me time to think ahead and to plan for the next day, the next week? Planning Time is important, especially for writers!

Do I allow any time for myself each day to relax and unwind?

Do I have at least one day per week I can use to rest, relax and be rejuvenated?

Am I allowing myself enough time to get a full night’s sleep so I awake refreshed?

How many hours did I spend at my 9–5 job this week? Make sure to include the time you spent with work you took home at night and on weekends, including phone calls. Don’t forget your commuting time!

Also, include your writing time — rough drafts, polishing articles, adding tags, finding an image, and thinking about the title and subtitle. You may be surprised at how much time you spend on ‘writing activities’.

Make sure you take note of writing-related activities on Medium such as answering notifications, keeping your list of followers up to date, and reading, clapping, and commenting on new followers’ writings.

Writers — Time is Precious

A Time Log may help you capture time.

That’s precisely the point!

A time log can be of great value!

For each of the 24 hours, jot down a quick note.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

How does your time log look?

“This is what the Lord says — your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17

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