How to start a sustainable writing routine: 3-step checklist
Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash
Let me guess—you love to write.
But there’s a tiny hiccup: you’re always struggling to find the time and energy to start a writing routine.
Professionally. Creatively. Even writing down a few, fun sentences can seem like a stretch.
I’ve been there too.
I’m a freelance writer who writes nonfiction books for schools. But for a long time, I struggled to get motivated to write. And it’s my day job!
I could never get into that elusive creative “flow state.” This meant I procrastinated on all my freelance deadlines—and never made time for personal creative projects.
The solution I found? I learned how to start—and maintain—a writing routine.
Routines are the backbone of my freelance business. Having set structures in my day is how I meet both my personal and professional writing goals.
I created this 3-step checklist to help me set up a writing routine that works with my freelance schedule. And I’m hoping it’ll help you, too!
Here are my three steps to a sustainable writing schedule—one that helps me make time for my writing every week, without fail.
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This article covers my 3-step checklist to start a sustainable writing routine. Grab my free workbook designed to help you put this checklist into action. You’ll also get my monthly Sunday Spark newsletter with tips for meeting your writing goals and how to feel creatively energized. ✨
Step 1: Know your why
Why do you want to start a writing routine? The "why" behind our habits can be a powerful motivator, especially on the days when we're struggling.
Michelle Segar’s book, No Sweat, is all about creating an exercise habit that’ll last a lifetime.
One of Segar’s main ideas is that we need a “primary Why” for starting any new behaviour.
Many people start exercising with the goal of "being healthy" as their "Why." But Segar argues that we need a “Why” that’s connected more to the now, a benefit that’s immediate and gratifying today.
Why do you want to write on a regular basis?
The human brain digs short-term rewards. The long-term game is hard to feel invested in.
What is your “primary Why” for writing on a weekly basis?
Do you feel more energized when you make time to write?
Do you feel excited when you have space to create?
Do you feel less stressed when you get ahead of all your freelance deadlines?
Do you feel fulfilled when you make progress toward writing a full-length book?
For me, my “primary Why” is that I feel more content and fulfilled when I create more than I consume.
I read a lot. I also watch a lot of YouTube videos. (I’m not on social media, but that’s another story.)
But when I make time to write on a regular basis, everything in my life works better. I feel more inspired, creative, productive—and energized.
Whenever I’m feeling unmotivated, I bring my “primary Why” to the top of my brain. And this keeps me going.
3 key questions to ask yourself
Here are three key questions for you to chew on when creating a writing schedule that’ll stick:
What is one of your writing goals?
Why is this writing goal important to you?
What will writing on a regular basis bring to your life right now?
When it feels hard to stay motivated, bring your “why” to the forefront of your brain. It’ll help you keep moving forward.
Step 2: Commit to a time and place to write
It’s tough to click your heels together and conquer up a new habit into your life. There are many variables at play that keep us from starting something new.
Here’s an interesting factoid: A 2002 research study showed 43 percent of our everyday actions are habitual.
So much of our lives play out the same way, every day.
But the cool part about our lives being made of habitual actions? You can link a new habit—like a consistent writing time—to an old habit.
Step 2 in creating a sustainable writing schedule is to pick a specific time and place for uninterrupted writing time.
Here are two habit formulas you can use when making this commitment.
Habit Formula #1: Intention Implementation
The first habit formula is called setting your “intention implementation.” This is just a fancy way of saying to write down when and where you’ll start a new habit.
The basic formula is:
I will [behavior] at [time] in [location].
(Hat tip: This formula is from James Clear’s Atomic Habits.)
Research shows that setting an “intention implementation” is a substantial help to people starting a new habit.
This habit formula takes the guesswork out of when and where you’ll start a new behaviour. Instead, it gives you a strategic focus.
Examples of “Intention Implementation” formulas
Recently, I wanted to start the habit of journalling at night before I went to sleep. Here was my habit formula:
I will [write one sentence in my journal] at [10pm when I go to bed] in [my bedroom].
For a new writer, another example of this habit formula could be:
I will [write 200 words] at [12 noon during my lunch break] in [my office].
Habit Formula #2: Habit Stacking
The second habit formula is called habit stacking. This is when you link a new habit to an old habit:
After I [current habit], I will [new habit].
(Hat tip: This formula is from BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habits.)
Experts call this “habit-stacking.” It’s helpful and an easy way to introduce a new habit to your life.
Examples of “Habit Stacking” formulas
For me, last year I got into the habit of meditating every morning. I “linked” it to my habit of always making my bed.
My formula went:
After I [make my bed], I will [meditate for five minutes].
Maybe you’re a writer who always drinks a cup of coffee in the morning. Your “habit-stacking formula” could turn into:
After I [drink my coffee], I will [write for two minutes].
3 key questions to ask yourself
Now that you’re familiar with habit formulas, it’s time to learn when you could best set this up.
Here are three questions for you as a writer:
At what time of day do you get into the “writing flow” most easily?
When do you have time to write without interruption?
In what spaces do you most enjoy writing?
Consider your answers to the above questions. Using your responses, follow one of the above habit formulas to set a time and place for your new writing habit.
Step 3: Set a tiny goal
We often underestimate the power of “small steps”—and how far they’ll take us.
In Sean D. Young’s book, Stick with It, he emphasizes that taking small steps helps us stay focused and motivated in the present.
Lofty goals set far into the future are tough to stick with. But making a small, new choice made every day feels rewarding—and is sustainable.
Some days you’ll feel like a writing rockstar. Other days it’ll be a challenge to string two sentences together. This is true for all writers.
Set a tiny goal for each writing session.
Here are some example tiny goals:
Write for 5 minutes.
Write 50 words.
Write 200 words.
🚨 Make your writing goal always achievable.
A sustainable writing schedule means you show up for your writing consistently. And it’s easier to show up when you have a small goal in mind.
By the way—if you end up writing more or for longer? Cool! But your tiny goal is always your starting point.
The key is to show up—consistently.
When setting up a writing schedule, it’s important to just “show up.” Creating changes in our routines and schedules is hard.
And it takes time.
So, give yourself permission to start small.
Start with tiny goals. And you’ll find, adding up a year’s worth of tiny steps will get you much farther on your writing journey than you ever thought possible.
Excited to start your own writing routine?
Sign up below to get my FREE 3-step checklist with worksheets to put these ideas into action.
You’ll also get my monthly Sunday Spark newsletter with tips for meeting your writing goals and how to feel creatively energized. ✨
Oh hey there, I’m Monika!
(she/her) I’m a big fan of compassionate creativity, intentional living, and freshly-popped popcorn. I hope this article has helped you set up your own personalized, sustainable writing schedule.
If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email. I love to hear from fellow writers!
