Balancing Full Time Work and Part Time Writing Career - 2. Create a Flexible Writing Schedule
Blog Post: How to Create a Flexible Writing Schedule That Works for You
As a writer juggling a full-time job and a part-time writing career, one of the most difficult challenges you’ll face is managing your time. It’s not just about finding the hours in the day to write; it’s about creating a schedule that fits into your unique life, allowing you to be productive without feeling overwhelmed. For many writers, flexibility is the key to making their writing dreams a reality while still meeting work and personal obligations. But how do you create a flexible writing schedule that doesn’t leave you feeling stressed or burnt out?
In this blog post, we’re going to dive deep into how to design a flexible writing schedule that works with your lifestyle. We’ll explore how to assess your time, create a plan that fits, and stay consistent—without sacrificing your health, happiness, or productivity. Whether you're squeezing in writing sessions during lunch breaks, early mornings, or weekends, creating a schedule that allows you to write consistently while balancing your other responsibilities is possible. Let’s take a closer look at how you can do it.
Why Flexibility Matters for Writers with a Full-Time Job
Flexibility is essential for writers who aren’t writing full-time. While some people have the luxury of dedicating all their time to writing, most of us need to balance our creative work with other obligations. You might have a 9-to-5 job, family responsibilities, social engagements, or other commitments that demand your attention. Flexibility allows you to adapt to life’s unpredictability and still make time for writing, without it feeling like a chore or an additional burden.
Here’s why flexibility is so important:
It accounts for life’s unpredictability: You never know when work might run late, a family event pops up, or you feel particularly exhausted. Flexibility helps you adjust without losing momentum.
It reduces stress: A rigid schedule can make you feel trapped. If you don’t hit your writing targets exactly as planned, you may feel defeated. A flexible schedule gives you room to breathe, helping you stay motivated even when life gets in the way.
It maintains consistency: Instead of forcing yourself to write at a specific time every day (which might not be realistic), a flexible schedule allows you to find pockets of time to write, making consistency achievable.
With a flexible writing schedule, you’re setting yourself up for success by acknowledging the demands of life while still making progress on your writing goals.
1. Assess Your Time and Energy
The first step in creating a flexible writing schedule is to understand your own time and energy patterns. By assessing how much time you can realistically commit to writing, you’ll set yourself up for success.
Track Your Current Schedule
Start by tracking how you spend your time for a week. This will give you an accurate picture of where your time goes and where you might have some flexibility. You’ll want to track:
Your work hours
Any regular personal commitments (family, social events, errands)
The time you spend unwinding or on hobbies
Time spent on meals, self-care, and sleep
Once you have this data, you can start looking for gaps or periods where you could fit in writing. Don’t just focus on the hours—pay attention to the energy levels you have during different times of the day.
Identify Your Peak Energy Times
Everyone has certain times of day when they’re more productive. Some people are “morning writers,” while others might find they have more creative energy at night. Understanding when you’re most focused will help you schedule writing during your optimal energy times. Here’s how to assess your energy:
Morning: If you’re an early riser, you may have a clear, quiet mind right after you wake up. Morning writing could be perfect if you’re not distracted by the day's tasks.
Afternoon: If you’re someone who needs a few hours to shake off the sleepiness, afternoon writing sessions might work better. Lunchtime could be an ideal opportunity to get some words down.
Evening/Night: For night owls, late evening writing can provide uninterrupted time to dive into creative work once other distractions have settled down.
By recognizing your natural rhythms, you can schedule writing when you know you’ll be the most productive, making the most of the time you have.
2. Create Time Blocks for Writing
A powerful tool for creating a flexible yet structured writing schedule is time blocking. Time blocking involves designating chunks of time for specific tasks or goals. By using this method, you ensure that writing has a designated spot in your day, without overwhelming your schedule.
How to Time Block for Writing
Start Small: If you have a busy schedule, start with just 30-minute blocks of time. These can be used for focused writing sessions, whether it’s for drafting, editing, or brainstorming. Over time, you can extend these blocks as you find more available time.
Use Breaks Wisely: Look at your workday for natural breaks. Are there moments when you can step away from your desk to write? You might have a 10-15 minute window between meetings or during lunch that you can use for writing. These small blocks of time can add up over the course of a week.
Prioritize Writing: When time blocking, prioritize your writing by scheduling it before or after essential daily tasks. This ensures that writing remains a priority and doesn’t get crowded out by other responsibilities.
Add Buffer Time
When creating a writing schedule, be sure to add buffer time to account for life’s unpredictability. For example, you could block out writing time, but allow a buffer of 15–30 minutes in case work runs late or something else comes up. Having this flexibility ensures that your writing sessions don’t feel rushed or too rigid.
3. Embrace Short and Focused Writing Sessions
Not every writing session has to be a marathon. Some days you may only have 20–30 minutes to write, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make progress. In fact, short, focused writing sessions are often more productive than long, drawn-out ones.
The Pomodoro Technique
One method that can help you stay focused during short writing sessions is the Pomodoro Technique. This involves working in short intervals—typically 25 minutes—followed by a 5-minute break. After four intervals, you take a longer break (15–30 minutes). This technique helps maintain concentration and prevents mental fatigue.
Here’s how to use the Pomodoro Technique for your writing:
Set a timer for 25 minutes and write.
Take a 5-minute break (stretch, drink water, step outside).
Repeat this cycle until you’ve completed four sessions, then take a longer break.
You’d be surprised how much you can accomplish in just a few short, focused writing sprints, and this technique is perfect for writers who don’t have large blocks of time.
Use the "Micro-Writing" Method
Another approach is “micro-writing,” where you aim for small, but achievable writing goals. If 25-minute blocks work for you, aim to write a set number of words (e.g., 250-500 words) in each session. This keeps your focus on productivity without making the task feel overwhelming.
4. Be Ready to Adjust When Needed
Flexibility isn’t just about having a variety of time slots for writing—it’s also about being able to adapt when something unexpected comes up. If you miss a writing session, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, adjust your schedule and find another time to write.
Plan for Setbacks
Life can be unpredictable. Sometimes you’ll find yourself swamped with work, or you may have to skip a writing session due to family commitments. This is why flexibility is important—if you have the ability to shift writing sessions, it won’t throw you off track. For instance:
Missed Session: If you miss your morning writing time, try writing during your lunch break.
Adjust Your Goal: If you’re running behind on a writing goal, adjust it. Maybe aim to write 200 words instead of 500, and then make up the difference the next day.
Build in Downtime
Lastly, don’t forget to build downtime into your schedule. Writing is a creative process, and your mind needs rest to keep ideas flowing. Balance your writing sessions with time to recharge. Taking breaks allows you to come back to your writing with fresh ideas and renewed energy.
5. Track Your Progress and Celebrate Successes
Even with a flexible schedule, tracking your progress is important for maintaining motivation and measuring success. Use a planner, calendar, or writing app to record your word count, writing time, and goals. This helps you stay accountable to your writing ambitions while still keeping the schedule fluid.
Celebrate Small Wins
Take time to celebrate the progress you make, no matter how small. Writing is a long-term journey, and breaking up your larger goals into manageable chunks allows you to celebrate more frequently. Whether it’s completing a chapter, hitting your weekly word count goal, or simply sticking to your schedule for a month, small celebrations will keep you motivated and remind you that consistency pays off.
Conclusion: Flexibility Leads to Long-Term Success
Creating a flexible writing schedule is key to maintaining a productive and fulfilling writing practice while balancing your full-time job. By assessing your time, prioritizing writing, embracing short sessions, and being ready to adjust as needed, you can write consistently without feeling overwhelmed.
Remember, writing doesn’t have to happen in large blocks of time. With a flexible approach, you can make steady progress, find creative moments throughout your day, and develop a routine that works with your life, not against it.
The journey to becoming a successful writer is built on consistency, adaptability, and small wins. So, create a schedule that fits your unique needs, and allow yourself the flexibility to grow as a writer. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish, even with limited time.
Happy writing!