Time Management Tools & Motivational Methods
Just as everyone is likely to face different struggles in overcoming feelings of perfectionism or self-doubt while writing, each person will also find different time management systems most effective. Different tactics may be more effective in different circumstances, so if one trick has worked well in the past, definitely try that again, but also consider experimenting with new strategies. Sometimes changing circumstances mean that we respond to new motivations or must manage our time differently than in the past.
Create Incremental Deadlines
Revisiting the sections of your writing project that you mapped out earlier and creating specific incremental deadlines for each section and step of the project can help if you are motivated by deadlines. Try to make these internal deadlines realistic, not only aspirational, and then put them in your calendar. If you are worried about losing track of the details, a project management platform like Trello (Katz 2019) or Notion (Baribeau 2022) can help coordinate each step of your work in granular detail.
Schedule Research and Writing Time
If you have trouble making time for your research and writing, consider scheduling time to work on the project. Set up meetings or block out time in your work or personal calendar, so that you have a realistic amount of time set aside on a regular basis. The amount of time you set aside will depend on your personal preferences. Some may prefer shorter 10- to 15-minute blocks daily, while others may need an hour or more scheduled less frequently to allow for deep focus on writing. It is also helpful to consider what time of day you do your best work and commit to dedicating the time you have scheduled on your calendar for writing and research. If others try to schedule over your research or writing time, push back to protect that space. If writing and research is a requirement of your job, it is especially important to protect the time you need to complete your work in this area.
Set The Scene
It is also important to consider how you can ensure that the time you have carefully set aside is as productive as possible. You may find it helpful to set a timer or employ a timed system like Pomodoro. Setting timers helps you focus and ensures that you don’t become so consumed in your writing that you forget to stop (Westbrook 2019). It may be necessary to work in a room with the door closed, turn off email or the internet connection on your computer entirely, work somewhere other than your normal office, or reduce interruptions in other ways to ensure that you remain focused during scheduled writing periods. If you need some background noise to focus, but are worried about being interrupted by coworkers or family, consider working in a coffee shop or library or turning on ambient sounds or quiet music in the background. Sometimes finding the right location for writing is as important to ensuring productivity as actually finding the time to write. Remember the personal work habits you identified in Lesson 3.5 as you plan your writing time in ways that are effective for you.
Join or Create a Writing Group
If you find it too easy to ignore scheduled writing sessions or calendar deadlines without an external accountability mechanism, then it may be helpful to join a formal or informal writing group that creates a structure of regular check-ins. Many campuses offer academic writing groups for faculty and students, which provide accountability and space for regular writing. If you want to start your own writing group, try to schedule a regular time where participants can articulate a writing goal, create free time to write, then come together to report on progress and troubleshoot issues together. Writing groups provide a valuable opportunity to report on writing progress and share struggles with others who can offer suggestions or encouragement. They are also a good way to expand or increase contact with your research support ecosystem. When considering a writing group you should be aware of your own personality and weigh the risk that a writing group could encourage you to procrastinate by talking to others instead of actually writing.
Strategize with Co-Authors
If you are writing with co-authors, external accountability is built-in, but a group of co-authors may have different writing processes that mean you still need to establish additional motivational methods that meet your individual needs. If you appreciate the external accountability of a writing group, for example, but are working with co-authors who find frequent check-ins distracting or disruptive, you may wish to create or join a group of interested friends or colleagues to share your writing beyond your co-authors. Similarly, a group of co-authors may implement a shared project management app or calendar to keep everyone on track, but if the group decides not to pursue this approach, you may still choose to set one up for yourself. Understanding your own needs and respect for your co-authors’ separate choices will be key in ensuring that everyone in the group successfully completes the project.
Topic 3 References
Baribeau, Hilary. 2022. “Managing a Digital Workspace: An Exploration of Notion.” The Librarian Parlor. February 8, 2022. https://libparlor.com/2022/02/08/managing-a-digital-workspace-an-exploration-of-notion/.
Katz, Stacy. “Organizing the Research Process Using Trello.” The Librarian Parlor. July 16, 2019. https://libparlor.com/2019/07/16/organizing-the-research-process-using-trello/.
Westbrook, Georgia. “Doing Research by the Hour.” The Librarian Parlor. May 7, 2019. https://libparlor.com/2019/05/07/doing-research-by-the-hour/.
Time Management Tools & Motivational Methods
Just as everyone is likely to face different struggles in overcoming feelings of perfectionism or self-doubt while writing, each person will also find different time management systems most effective. Different tactics may be more effective in different circumstances, so if one trick has worked well in the past, definitely try that again, but also consider experimenting with new strategies. Sometimes changing circumstances mean that we respond to new motivations or must manage our time differently than in the past.
Create Incremental Deadlines
Revisiting the sections of your writing project that you mapped out earlier and creating specific incremental deadlines for each section and step of the project can help if you are motivated by deadlines. Try to make these internal deadlines realistic, not only aspirational, and then put them in your calendar. If you are worried about losing track of the details, a project management platform like Trello (Katz 2019) or Notion (Baribeau 2022) can help coordinate each step of your work in granular detail.
Schedule Research and Writing Time
If you have trouble making time for your research and writing, consider scheduling time to work on the project. Set up meetings or block out time in your work or personal calendar, so that you have a realistic amount of time set aside on a regular basis. The amount of time you set aside will depend on your personal preferences. Some may prefer shorter 10- to 15-minute blocks daily, while others may need an hour or more scheduled less frequently to allow for deep focus on writing. It is also helpful to consider what time of day you do your best work and commit to dedicating the time you have scheduled on your calendar for writing and research. If others try to schedule over your research or writing time, push back to protect that space. If writing and research is a requirement of your job, it is especially important to protect the time you need to complete your work in this area.
Set The Scene
It is also important to consider how you can ensure that the time you have carefully set aside is as productive as possible. You may find it helpful to set a timer or employ a timed system like Pomodoro. Setting timers helps you focus and ensures that you don’t become so consumed in your writing that you forget to stop (Westbrook 2019). It may be necessary to work in a room with the door closed, turn off email or the internet connection on your computer entirely, work somewhere other than your normal office, or reduce interruptions in other ways to ensure that you remain focused during scheduled writing periods. If you need some background noise to focus, but are worried about being interrupted by coworkers or family, consider working in a coffee shop or library or turning on ambient sounds or quiet music in the background. Sometimes finding the right location for writing is as important to ensuring productivity as actually finding the time to write. Remember the personal work habits you identified in Lesson 3.5 as you plan your writing time in ways that are effective for you.
Join or Create a Writing Group
If you find it too easy to ignore scheduled writing sessions or calendar deadlines without an external accountability mechanism, then it may be helpful to join a formal or informal writing group that creates a structure of regular check-ins. Many campuses offer academic writing groups for faculty and students, which provide accountability and space for regular writing. If you want to start your own writing group, try to schedule a regular time where participants can articulate a writing goal, create free time to write, then come together to report on progress and troubleshoot issues together. Writing groups provide a valuable opportunity to report on writing progress and share struggles with others who can offer suggestions or encouragement. They are also a good way to expand or increase contact with your research support ecosystem. When considering a writing group you should be aware of your own personality and weigh the risk that a writing group could encourage you to procrastinate by talking to others instead of actually writing.
Strategize with Co-Authors
If you are writing with co-authors, external accountability is built-in, but a group of co-authors may have different writing processes that mean you still need to establish additional motivational methods that meet your individual needs. If you appreciate the external accountability of a writing group, for example, but are working with co-authors who find frequent check-ins distracting or disruptive, you may wish to create or join a group of interested friends or colleagues to share your writing beyond your co-authors. Similarly, a group of co-authors may implement a shared project management app or calendar to keep everyone on track, but if the group decides not to pursue this approach, you may still choose to set one up for yourself. Understanding your own needs and respect for your co-authors’ separate choices will be key in ensuring that everyone in the group successfully completes the project.
Topic 3 References
Baribeau, Hilary. 2022. “Managing a Digital Workspace: An Exploration of Notion.” The Librarian Parlor. February 8, 2022. https://libparlor.com/2022/02/08/managing-a-digital-workspace-an-exploration-of-notion/.
Katz, Stacy. “Organizing the Research Process Using Trello.” The Librarian Parlor. July 16, 2019. https://libparlor.com/2019/07/16/organizing-the-research-process-using-trello/.
Westbrook, Georgia. “Doing Research by the Hour.” The Librarian Parlor. May 7, 2019. https://libparlor.com/2019/05/07/doing-research-by-the-hour/.