A writer shared a link a few weeks ago to an article titled “How to Have a More Productive Year,” and when I clicked through, it was this:
When I saw it was our buddy Cal Newport at it again, I clicked right out.
I love productivity advice as much as anyone, but I am done taking tips from a dude who I’d bet, based on his disdain for “shallow work,” hasn’t seen the inside of a grocery store in years and couldn’t ID his kids’ pediatrician in a lineup. (This New York Times review of his new book notes that “In his acknowledgments, he thanks his wife for ‘putting up with all the sacrifices involved in having a partner with a troubling addiction to writing books,’” which sounds to me a lot like code for, sure, I couldn’t name our kids’ teachers if you paid me, but I sure have sold a lot of books.)
I read Deep Work in the summer of 2017, when my kids were really small, and though there’s a lot in that book that was meaningful to me, big portions of it also felt really out of step with the realities of my life. One of Newport’s approaches to deep work is the “journalistic” approach, where you just get your work done in any corners of time you have—and his example of that was working on the book while he and his wife went with their kids to his in-laws’ house, and he’d tuck himself away in a corner to write. In other words, the strategy is . . . let your wife wrangle your small kids while you get to do the deep work. There’s another moment in the book that really stuck with me: a grad student who was having trouble making progress on his dissertation, so he started getting up early in the morning to get a couple hours of deep work in before 7am. You know what my kids did in those years when I tried to get up before dawn to work? They woke right up, too. And that grad student, Newport shared, had a toddler, so you can guess who was caring for the kid in those early morning hours when he got to type away at his dissertation in a state of focused bliss.
The big picture here is that so much of the productivity advice that gets handed out online assumes that it’s only a lack of discipline getting in the way of being your most productive self. But I think, for a lot of us, the material realities of our lives—kids, jobs, bosses, a commute, the need to, you know, buy toilet paper and remember your kid’s cello on music days and plan out summer camp, the kind of essential but shallow work that keeps families running—make following that advice really hard.
And honestly, I’m not that interested in productivity, in and of itself, as a goal. When I hear anyone giving advice about productivity, I always hear Jenny Odell’s voice asking “Productivity that produces what?” What I care about is sustaining a writing life in a way that connects me to the people and places around me, that helps me communicate about the things that matter to me and the people I love.
So here’s what I want to know: what writing productivity advice has actually worked for you? What makes a difference in your life when it comes to actually getting your writing done?
I have two strategies I’ve returned to, time and again:
make it small and make a plan
Here’s what I mean by that: if I’m overwhelmed by a project (write an essay, respond to copyedits, send a pitch) it’s almost always because the task is too big. “Write essay” is actually like 15 different steps, so in order to feel like I’m making any progress, I need to break it down into manageable chunks—a task I can actually get done in the time available, whether it’s 10 minutes or 2 hours. (You really can’t make your steps too small: I just wrapped up copyedits for The Good Mother Myth, and when I got that file, I was so overwhelmed that I let it sit for a week before finally writing “open the file” on my to-do list, and that was enough to get me started.) And once I have those steps, I use the strategy of pre-deciding, which I wrote about earlier this month, to commit to a plan before my writing time. Before I go to bed, I make a note on a post-it about what I’m going to work on the next day, so that when I have time to write, I’m not spending any of that time deciding what I’m going to do.
What works for you? What productivity advice has actually helped you in your writing life?
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I love your take on Cal Newport and others who live in a world when time/space magically appears (because others are actually doing a whole host of things to support them); and I love your pre-deciding strategy! For me, there are many ideas in Oliver Burkeman's 4,000 Weeks that I keep returning to, including the reminder (that mindfulness teachers also stress) to detach from outcomes as much as possible and focus on what daily work can be done (because outcomes are out of your control anyway). What little bit I can get done right now can be fulfilling in and of itself. I have very little control even over my daily work, much less any outcome, because I am always interrupted and my plans are rarely without detour. But if I can start in anyway, and acknowledge that, yes, I will be interrupted and will very likely NOT finish x, y, or z today, I will also complete something, and enjoy those precious moments of "productivity" or creativity right now.
My challenge is not kids but managing chronic illness, which has different but not unrelated implications for productivity (a word I really don’t like).
I don’t know how useful this is for anyone else but for me I noticed that the best writing experiences generally depended on mood, and so anything I could do to get myself into a playful mood would then translate into easier, faster, more enjoyable writing. The thing that gets me there is usually journaling about dumb stuff at the cafe, but dancing does it too.
That may not be useful for the people whose challenge is busy family life, but I mention it anyway because it does translate into better writing for me, and a better experience of writing. (And less time writing, which I need because I don’t have capacity for long stretches.)
I have ADHD, so the only way I’ve found to get something done is to set a timer for a certain amount of time (usually two hours) and give myself mental permission to DO THE THING. My issue is both the “getting started” and the idea that any task will take “four hours.”
Once the alarm goes, I can keep working or stop. Usually I keep working, because there’s no guarantee my brain will cooperate after a break.
Oh I had a very similar reaction to Deep Work which I read when I had very young kids.
I think the best piece of advice I go back to is that getting a little bit done can add up to a lot over time -- if you write 200 words a day you can draft a book in a year. Most days even 200 words is too much for me! But it helps me to remember that just working on what little thing I can can add up to a lot over time. There are times in my life when I just won't be able to write very much but getting a little bit done is still something.
Years ago I read David Allen’s Getting Things Done, and it changed my life. The most important thing I learned was how to create doable to-do lists. It’s about understanding the difference between a project (create world peace) and a next action (invite next door neighbors to dinner to get to know them better). Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I dump my brain and make lists on paper of everything I need to, want to, and must do. Then I figure out which level each item is really at. That makes it possible for me to figure out what’s next. I also like his review process.
And at his suggestion, I bought a label maker. To me that alone was worth the price of the book. I label folders, notebooks, drawers, containers. I put a label on my car’s dashboard to remind me of how much gas I really have left when the little yellow warning light goes on. I label charger cords so I know what device to match them with and which power cord to pull out from the power strip. Saves so much time and anguish!
Oh my gosh finally somebody else who feels the same way about that Cal Newport book. That books makes me furious. Also did he have one example of a woman in that book? It was all famous men examples. Also that book could be a magazine article or one line: if you can don’t interrupt yourself. Thank you!!
Yes, breaking it down has really been the most helpful to me, particularly as a person who has a lot of interruptions throughout the day. "Open File" is a great to do item for me, if I've got 15 minutes, I can do that! I also like the advice from The Artist's Way, "Treating myself as a precious object will make me strong." What I take that advice to mean is that, if I set a goal to Open the File, and I Open the File, I don't berate myself for the fact that it's taken me a week or that that's ALL I could bring myself to do morning, or whatever. I congratulate myself. I did what I said I was gonna do! I feel like that gives me more momentum.
These comments are AMAZING! I’m writing down everyone’s tips in my journal right now. Thanks so much for opening this space, Nancy!
It’s 1:00 P.M. here, and I’m in bed next to my napping 8 month old. We are never, ever apart. I sleep with her, breastfeed her around the clock, and feel irrational guilt over leaving her with dad for any alone time. My practice for creative fulfillment when so much depends on me: do everything that would disappoint my mother in law. I don’t get dressed or brush my teeth until 4:00 P.M. most days. I don’t change my baby out of her pajamas for three days at a time. I don’t cook. I don’t clean. I lay in bed next to my sleeping baby and write. When she’s awake, I cushion all the sharp furniture, sit beside her on the floor as she explores the room, and write some more. I assume this will get much harder with more babies in the mix, but I hope to carry this carelessness with me forever.
The thing that helped me finish my book was never having a "zero" day. As long as I have done one thing (that can be one sentence written, one paragraph revised, even one minute in the document trying to figure something out), I did not have a zero day. In other words, set the bar extremely low so you can meet it. I often did much more, of course, but the knowledge that I could meet the bar and had the record of having met it for a long streak motivated me in a non-harsh-disciplinarian way.
I found Writing Wild by Tina Welling helpful. She encourages writers to look to nature for inspiration and to start so small, like write a list of things this pinecone reminds you of or write a list of observations about this flower. It’s a technique you can use anywhere. Even your journal! I find it very freeing to not worry about writing full sentences or paragraphs in the early stages or when I get stuck! And sometimes something truly interesting and organic shines through.
Ahh the synchronicities! While I haven’t read Cal’s book, I was thinking of doing so and possibly including it as one of the comps for my first book proposal. I’m really glad you wrote this and that I read it, because now I will not be doing that!! Yikes, no thank you Cal. My book is about unplugging and practicing daily self-care during tiny windows of time in our days. ☺️
Also related: while my husband is an AMAZING partner and does a ton for our family and household…my current wish is to listen to a podcast about how partners can “share the invisible load.” I told my bestie yesterday I feel like I’m doing well splitting up the household tasks…but I’m still the one doing the splitting. More progress is needed!! I’m going to ask him to listen to the podcast with me, and then to have a conversation about it.
Anyway, so wild to have these two things happen this week and then read this piece.
On a more related note, yes: your thoughts on creating smaller tasks to accomplish larger writing goals are spot on. I did my first round of editing my book proposal this week (thank goodness for reliable childcare), and as a relative newbie to the process (and to dedicated writing in general), I learned a LOT about what my limits are with editing. Like whoa. 😵💫
I do my best work using the Pomodoro method (25 min on, 5 min off, eventually with longer breaks), and I’m discovering how much this book process is taking out of me (especially while waking 3 times/night with kiddos). I was in a “zone” for days which affected my normal work output, both with clients and around the house. Luckily I’d kind of anticipated it, but it’s a work in progress!
Thanks again!!
PS my life currently runs on post it notes (and my paper calendar)
I have not read "Deep Work," but I want to take issue with what you (or Cal) is characterizing as "shallow work." Another commenter calls it minutiae. I realize there are many tedious tasks in everyone's life, but those tedious tasks ARE essential and have a deep dimension to them, if only in their repetition and in connecting us to all other human beings (except those with servants and/or exploited family members!). If you do some "shallow" writing (editing, moving things around, doodling new ideas, opening the file), you are still building the edifice. You are still expressing yourself on the page (or in the file). Your brain will work on writing issues while you do the dishes or fold the laundry if you let it and don't stress that you're not getting enough time on your higher calling. (Artist's Way recommends household tasks as a way to get unstuck from writer's block.) Our work is valuable. Our time is valuable. Or, as one commenter put it, "precious." I realize I'm not giving a tip here. I am more recommending a shift in perspective. We don't have to envy those imperious fools whose work rides on the backs of others who get no credit . Furthermore, if we have the means, we can ask for and pay for extra help if that creates the balance we need. Also, we can let lots of "household duties" slide and create our own priorities/standards in our day-to-day. Above all, we do not need to denigrate the moment-by-moment critical work that we all (men and women and non-binary) must do and can rightfully take pride in.
Writing during commercial breaks of all the trash TV I watch at night. I get to relax part of my brain, know breaks are about 3-4 minutes long (so it’s not an overwhelming chunk) and end up doing more than I think.
I love Cal Newport AND I always felt his advice was for a person with a partner who could take on the minutiae of daily life that happens when you have children (especially little children). So I always take his work with a grain of salt.
One of the things that works great for me is working in “sprints” - usually 20-25 hyper focused minutes followed by a 5-10 minute break. If I’m in the middle of a sprint when the timer goes (I always set a timer), and I’m flowing well I will press “repeat” for another 20-25. If I struggle to get to the end of the first timer I take a break, and a few breaths, do something else for a few minutes and then try again. For me it alleviates this pressure to do it all at once and it allows me to stay on one thing at a time. If something else comes up during the sprint can make a note to do it/ check it/ look at it online during my break.
Wow, thank you for sharing this post! In 2018, I found a different approach to writing time: writing in short snippets of time, even 5 to 10 minutes, in order to write more often. Since then, I find that motivation to write is strong. It's more about wanting to finish editing my book so soon (I thought last year!) and working on moving through it faster.
My favourite thing is to be with our family. I usually work on my book in the evening, but if I'm attending an online webinar about writing/publishing or working on my newsletter or tired enough to just relax, then it sometimes means I don't work on my book for several days until the next evening session. Tonight, for example, I felt tired (I think from swimming this morning) so I wrote a motivational note to myself in colourful marker and put that in front of my computer, and that helped! I also took a short relaxing break first, knowing I was so determined to write tonight that the break wouldn't get in the way.
Great tip! "Before I go to bed, I make a note on a post-it about what I’m going to work on the next day, so that when I have time to write, I’m not spending any of that time deciding what I’m going to do." I totally relate to the, "Huh, which of the several writing projects I want to do should I work on now?" And that's even though I have a list! I think, inspired by your idea, that I should make a list of my listed projects in terms of priorities, and put a time estimate next to some of the steps. I generally make a note of what to do next for my novel when I work on it, but not the other factors I described here. Great idea! Thanks!
I love your take on Cal Newport and others who live in a world when time/space magically appears (because others are actually doing a whole host of things to support them); and I love your pre-deciding strategy! For me, there are many ideas in Oliver Burkeman's 4,000 Weeks that I keep returning to, including the reminder (that mindfulness teachers also stress) to detach from outcomes as much as possible and focus on what daily work can be done (because outcomes are out of your control anyway). What little bit I can get done right now can be fulfilling in and of itself. I have very little control even over my daily work, much less any outcome, because I am always interrupted and my plans are rarely without detour. But if I can start in anyway, and acknowledge that, yes, I will be interrupted and will very likely NOT finish x, y, or z today, I will also complete something, and enjoy those precious moments of "productivity" or creativity right now.
My challenge is not kids but managing chronic illness, which has different but not unrelated implications for productivity (a word I really don’t like).
I don’t know how useful this is for anyone else but for me I noticed that the best writing experiences generally depended on mood, and so anything I could do to get myself into a playful mood would then translate into easier, faster, more enjoyable writing. The thing that gets me there is usually journaling about dumb stuff at the cafe, but dancing does it too.
That may not be useful for the people whose challenge is busy family life, but I mention it anyway because it does translate into better writing for me, and a better experience of writing. (And less time writing, which I need because I don’t have capacity for long stretches.)
I have ADHD, so the only way I’ve found to get something done is to set a timer for a certain amount of time (usually two hours) and give myself mental permission to DO THE THING. My issue is both the “getting started” and the idea that any task will take “four hours.”
Once the alarm goes, I can keep working or stop. Usually I keep working, because there’s no guarantee my brain will cooperate after a break.
Oh I had a very similar reaction to Deep Work which I read when I had very young kids.
I think the best piece of advice I go back to is that getting a little bit done can add up to a lot over time -- if you write 200 words a day you can draft a book in a year. Most days even 200 words is too much for me! But it helps me to remember that just working on what little thing I can can add up to a lot over time. There are times in my life when I just won't be able to write very much but getting a little bit done is still something.
Years ago I read David Allen’s Getting Things Done, and it changed my life. The most important thing I learned was how to create doable to-do lists. It’s about understanding the difference between a project (create world peace) and a next action (invite next door neighbors to dinner to get to know them better). Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I dump my brain and make lists on paper of everything I need to, want to, and must do. Then I figure out which level each item is really at. That makes it possible for me to figure out what’s next. I also like his review process.
And at his suggestion, I bought a label maker. To me that alone was worth the price of the book. I label folders, notebooks, drawers, containers. I put a label on my car’s dashboard to remind me of how much gas I really have left when the little yellow warning light goes on. I label charger cords so I know what device to match them with and which power cord to pull out from the power strip. Saves so much time and anguish!
Oh my gosh finally somebody else who feels the same way about that Cal Newport book. That books makes me furious. Also did he have one example of a woman in that book? It was all famous men examples. Also that book could be a magazine article or one line: if you can don’t interrupt yourself. Thank you!!
Yes, breaking it down has really been the most helpful to me, particularly as a person who has a lot of interruptions throughout the day. "Open File" is a great to do item for me, if I've got 15 minutes, I can do that! I also like the advice from The Artist's Way, "Treating myself as a precious object will make me strong." What I take that advice to mean is that, if I set a goal to Open the File, and I Open the File, I don't berate myself for the fact that it's taken me a week or that that's ALL I could bring myself to do morning, or whatever. I congratulate myself. I did what I said I was gonna do! I feel like that gives me more momentum.
These comments are AMAZING! I’m writing down everyone’s tips in my journal right now. Thanks so much for opening this space, Nancy!
It’s 1:00 P.M. here, and I’m in bed next to my napping 8 month old. We are never, ever apart. I sleep with her, breastfeed her around the clock, and feel irrational guilt over leaving her with dad for any alone time. My practice for creative fulfillment when so much depends on me: do everything that would disappoint my mother in law. I don’t get dressed or brush my teeth until 4:00 P.M. most days. I don’t change my baby out of her pajamas for three days at a time. I don’t cook. I don’t clean. I lay in bed next to my sleeping baby and write. When she’s awake, I cushion all the sharp furniture, sit beside her on the floor as she explores the room, and write some more. I assume this will get much harder with more babies in the mix, but I hope to carry this carelessness with me forever.
The thing that helped me finish my book was never having a "zero" day. As long as I have done one thing (that can be one sentence written, one paragraph revised, even one minute in the document trying to figure something out), I did not have a zero day. In other words, set the bar extremely low so you can meet it. I often did much more, of course, but the knowledge that I could meet the bar and had the record of having met it for a long streak motivated me in a non-harsh-disciplinarian way.
I found Writing Wild by Tina Welling helpful. She encourages writers to look to nature for inspiration and to start so small, like write a list of things this pinecone reminds you of or write a list of observations about this flower. It’s a technique you can use anywhere. Even your journal! I find it very freeing to not worry about writing full sentences or paragraphs in the early stages or when I get stuck! And sometimes something truly interesting and organic shines through.
Ahh the synchronicities! While I haven’t read Cal’s book, I was thinking of doing so and possibly including it as one of the comps for my first book proposal. I’m really glad you wrote this and that I read it, because now I will not be doing that!! Yikes, no thank you Cal. My book is about unplugging and practicing daily self-care during tiny windows of time in our days. ☺️
Also related: while my husband is an AMAZING partner and does a ton for our family and household…my current wish is to listen to a podcast about how partners can “share the invisible load.” I told my bestie yesterday I feel like I’m doing well splitting up the household tasks…but I’m still the one doing the splitting. More progress is needed!! I’m going to ask him to listen to the podcast with me, and then to have a conversation about it.
Anyway, so wild to have these two things happen this week and then read this piece.
On a more related note, yes: your thoughts on creating smaller tasks to accomplish larger writing goals are spot on. I did my first round of editing my book proposal this week (thank goodness for reliable childcare), and as a relative newbie to the process (and to dedicated writing in general), I learned a LOT about what my limits are with editing. Like whoa. 😵💫
I do my best work using the Pomodoro method (25 min on, 5 min off, eventually with longer breaks), and I’m discovering how much this book process is taking out of me (especially while waking 3 times/night with kiddos). I was in a “zone” for days which affected my normal work output, both with clients and around the house. Luckily I’d kind of anticipated it, but it’s a work in progress!
Thanks again!!
PS my life currently runs on post it notes (and my paper calendar)
I have not read "Deep Work," but I want to take issue with what you (or Cal) is characterizing as "shallow work." Another commenter calls it minutiae. I realize there are many tedious tasks in everyone's life, but those tedious tasks ARE essential and have a deep dimension to them, if only in their repetition and in connecting us to all other human beings (except those with servants and/or exploited family members!). If you do some "shallow" writing (editing, moving things around, doodling new ideas, opening the file), you are still building the edifice. You are still expressing yourself on the page (or in the file). Your brain will work on writing issues while you do the dishes or fold the laundry if you let it and don't stress that you're not getting enough time on your higher calling. (Artist's Way recommends household tasks as a way to get unstuck from writer's block.) Our work is valuable. Our time is valuable. Or, as one commenter put it, "precious." I realize I'm not giving a tip here. I am more recommending a shift in perspective. We don't have to envy those imperious fools whose work rides on the backs of others who get no credit . Furthermore, if we have the means, we can ask for and pay for extra help if that creates the balance we need. Also, we can let lots of "household duties" slide and create our own priorities/standards in our day-to-day. Above all, we do not need to denigrate the moment-by-moment critical work that we all (men and women and non-binary) must do and can rightfully take pride in.
Writing during commercial breaks of all the trash TV I watch at night. I get to relax part of my brain, know breaks are about 3-4 minutes long (so it’s not an overwhelming chunk) and end up doing more than I think.
I love Cal Newport AND I always felt his advice was for a person with a partner who could take on the minutiae of daily life that happens when you have children (especially little children). So I always take his work with a grain of salt.
One of the things that works great for me is working in “sprints” - usually 20-25 hyper focused minutes followed by a 5-10 minute break. If I’m in the middle of a sprint when the timer goes (I always set a timer), and I’m flowing well I will press “repeat” for another 20-25. If I struggle to get to the end of the first timer I take a break, and a few breaths, do something else for a few minutes and then try again. For me it alleviates this pressure to do it all at once and it allows me to stay on one thing at a time. If something else comes up during the sprint can make a note to do it/ check it/ look at it online during my break.
Omfg THISSSSSS
Wow, thank you for sharing this post! In 2018, I found a different approach to writing time: writing in short snippets of time, even 5 to 10 minutes, in order to write more often. Since then, I find that motivation to write is strong. It's more about wanting to finish editing my book so soon (I thought last year!) and working on moving through it faster.
My favourite thing is to be with our family. I usually work on my book in the evening, but if I'm attending an online webinar about writing/publishing or working on my newsletter or tired enough to just relax, then it sometimes means I don't work on my book for several days until the next evening session. Tonight, for example, I felt tired (I think from swimming this morning) so I wrote a motivational note to myself in colourful marker and put that in front of my computer, and that helped! I also took a short relaxing break first, knowing I was so determined to write tonight that the break wouldn't get in the way.
Great tip! "Before I go to bed, I make a note on a post-it about what I’m going to work on the next day, so that when I have time to write, I’m not spending any of that time deciding what I’m going to do." I totally relate to the, "Huh, which of the several writing projects I want to do should I work on now?" And that's even though I have a list! I think, inspired by your idea, that I should make a list of my listed projects in terms of priorities, and put a time estimate next to some of the steps. I generally make a note of what to do next for my novel when I work on it, but not the other factors I described here. Great idea! Thanks!
Thank you for sharing all this!
Good advice on the sticky note! And also, thank you for being honest about productivity when it comes to writing.
Yes all this. I started writing snippets while my granddaughter naps and found out a sound machine and a dark room are ideal for writing!