Finding Time

My husband was recently talking to someone about me, and I was in the vicinity.

No, I wasn’t eavesdropping!  It’s not considered eavesdropping if you’re in the same room talking to other guest, is it?

He talked about what a “planner” I was.  And it is true.

I love to plan and to organize.  Just ask my kids or close friends. Want a list?  Alena has one.

• One for groceries
• One for cleaning the house, daily, weekly and quarterly.
• One for closet organization.
• A chore list by child, by day, by week.

You name it, bet I’ve got it!

Consequently when I want to set aside writing time I plan all morning or all afternoon.   But often, life would intrude and I’d end up frustrated.

So here are some ideas for finding time while minimizing distractions for writing.

Finding time to write, so far has been challenging.  Here are some of the tactics I’ve employed:

1. Wake up earlier, or go to bed later.
2. Write in an actual appointment on your schedule.   This way when someone asks, you already have something written in and your writing doesn’t automatically go by the wayside.
3. Write while your kids are practicing or waiting for them to finish.

Now, since writing time is a treasure, I want to be ready when I can write.

Yes, all of these things have happened to me.

1. Preparation.  If you can only get thirty minutes a day to write, make them count.
   1. Review your notes when you can, when you sit down to write, it’s fresh.
   2. Make sure your laptop is charged and ready to go, especially if writing while your kids are at practice or waiting for an appointment.
2. Minimize distractions.
   1. Turn cell phone to silent.
   2. Turn off social media.
   3. Turn off the internet.
   4. Children.  My children are older, so I offer great incentives to give me the time I need (otherwise known as bribes J). If that didn’t work, well I’m almost ashamed to say it, but I promise them any unnecessary interruptions would result in their cell phones staying in my possession for a day.

As I try to garner more time to write, I’ve learned to be flexible until I can write full time.  Any step is a step in the right direction…forward.

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Our MBT Hostess, Alena Tauriainen, a natural born organizer, manages her family business in West Texas. She balances work, four zany kids and the family dog. When she’s not being a bookkeeper, a zookeeper or a chauffeur, you can usually find her atwww.mbtponderers.blogspot.com. She enjoys writing contemporary romance so readers can sit back, relax and escape to a happily ever after. Contact her at: retreats@mybooktherapy.com.