Finding Time for Writing by Janice Rostron, Author of Time Is Power: Create Space for What Matters Most

Finding the space for quiet, focused writing time can seem all but impossible in our modern lives. The world around us is busier and noisier than it ever has been before. On top of the everyday demands of our careers, homes, partners, children, family members, friends, and hobbies, we are bombarded information overload and never-ending distractions. We often feel like we don’t have any control over our time, and it seems to get away from us every day.

Although time is elusive and intangible, it is also finite which makes it our most powerful asset. We need to take back the power we have over our time and prioritize what’s important. Start by writing down everything that you “have” to do in the coming days or weeks, including appointments on your calendar and tasks on your to-do list. I can guarantee you that you cannot possible do all of those things in any given day, nor should you even try. You can’t do it all!

Then, look at each activity and determine what type of priority it is, by using what I call Boulders, Barriers, and Building Blocks.

• If an activity is essential to the health and well-being of you and your family, it is a Boulder activity. Boulders are the big, important things in life and should be treated as such. It should be top priority on any given day, and it should take a lot of effort to cancel or reschedule it. 
• If an activity is for self-care, it is a Barrier activity. These should be scheduled at the beginning and end of each workday. Not only will this ensure that you take some time for yourself, but it will create a nice barrier between your work life and your home life. 
• If an activity will improve the health and well-being of you and your family, it is a Building Block activity. These activities, although important, should be given a lower priority to the Boulder and Barrier activities of your life.

Now, let’s see where writing fits into your priorities. Writing will have a different level of importance for every writer. We are all in different stages of our lives and our writing should reflect that. If writing puts food on your table and keeps a roof over your head, it is a Boulder activity. If writing is a form of self-care for you, it is a Barrier activity. If writing is a side project or a hobby, it should be treated as a Building Block activity.

Once your priorities are clear, commit everything to your calendar, in order (Boulders, then Barriers, then Building Blocks). You are more likely to accomplish something if you write it down and commit it to a specific day and time.  Make every entry into your calendar as detailed as possible. Since writing is our focus today, I will use that activity to illustrate each point.

• Use a verb in the title and specify exactly what needs to be done.
  Entering “Write” on your calendar is not helpful and the activity will most likely not get done. Instead, enter “Write article for Women Writers, Women(‘s) Books.” This is an explicit action and is more likely to be completed. 
• Enter the location of the activity.
  This could be an off-site address or simply the exact location in your home that you prefer writing. Your writing space deserves to be identified like any other important appointment.
• Set the beginning and end time of the activity.
  Be honest and realistic about how much time each activity will take. As you get started with this new system, schedule a slightly longer time block in your calendar for that activity. This will allow a little buffer time, and you won’t feel so rushed (or stressed!). Use a stopwatch see how long you are spending on your writing, or a timer to limit your time if you tend to get lost in the pages and lose track of time.
• Set all recurring activities to repeat.
  Routines are important to productivity. Writing, like any other creative endeavor, should be done regularly. Recurring events can be set pretty easily in your digital calendar or written repeatedly in your paper calendar. 
• Take advantage of the Notes section of your calendar.
  This section is an underutilized but extremely important part of your productivity system. Anything you need to know about that activity—supplies or materials you may need, page number where you left off, idea you wanted to pursue further, character you want to develop—should be included in this section. 

Finally, keep those appointments you make with yourself. It is very easy for us to push aside solo activities such as writing because there is no one waiting for us or holding us accountable. Remember that your time is your power, so stop wasting it on other people’s priorities! 

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TIME IS POWER: CREATE SPACE FOR WHAT MATTERS MOST

“Time is money.” –Benjamin Franklin

“No! Time is POWER!” –Janice Rostron

Are you constantly overcommitting, perplexed by piles of papers, and irritated by emails? Is your to-do list endless, overwhelming, and never getting done? Does time seem to get away from you every … single … day?

Time is your most powerful asset, but it is a finite resource. Janice Rostron created Time Is Power to help you take back the power you have over your time so you can spend it on what matters most. She combats the idea that productivity is about getting as much done as possible in the shortest amount of time. Instead, she defines productivity as getting the right things done, at the right time, with the right amount of energy.

Time Is Power is designed to make obligation and information overload more manageable. It is a step-by-step journey to a more productive life by showing you how to prioritize what’s important, simplify your systems, and delegate what you can.

For the past decade, Janice has helped her clients live less cluttered, more productive lives. She is a lifelong learner and has earned certificates in Chronic Disorganization, Workplace Productivity, and Team Productivity. Embracing her Master of Education (MEd) and years of teaching experience, she incorporates education into every aspect of her work as a professional organizer and productivity consultant.

You can’t do it all, but you can accomplish a lot when you focus on what matters most.

BUY HERE

Janice Rostron is a Professional Organizer and the owner/operator of Just Focus and Reorganize, LLC (JFR). She has been organizing the spaces around her for as far back as she can remember—just ask her family, friends, former roommates, and colleagues!

Janice’s experience and wide range of interests have given her the ability to create and maintain a balanced lifestyle. She believes that simplicity is the key to success.

Janice started playing guitar as a shy, introverted 12-year-old. In her late twenties, she tackled her stage fright and joined a band. She has played shows throughout California and has recorded two full-length albums and one EP (during which time she earned the moniker “Janice F’n Reid” a.k.a. “JFR”).

Janice received a BA in Legal Studies (with a minor in Music) from UC Berkeley and has since joined the Cal Alumni Association. GO BEARS! She then earned an MEd and a Multiple Subject teaching credential from UCLA. She worked as a public elementary school teacher for eight years before deciding to pursue a career in Professional Organizing.

Janice is an active member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO). She has earned NAPO Specialist Certificates in Workplace Productivity and Team Productivity. She served as the Los Angeles chapter’s Treasurer for the 2016–2017 term. She was the leader of NAPO’s Environmentally-Conscious Organizers special interest group for the 2020–2023 terms.

Janice is also a subscriber to the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) and has earned a Level II Chronic Disorganization Specialist Certificate.

Janice loves working one-on-one with her clients and enjoys speaking to groups about organization and productivity.

In 2022, Janice moved to Denver to grow the business … and purchase her first home.

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: How To and Tips