Last week I came across a really interesting article from the Harvard Business Review on my Twitter feed called How will you measure your life?. Every year, the author, Harvard Professor Clay M. Christensen, shares his advice to his Harvard Business School graduate class. He tells them about one of the best decisions he made at their age – to carve out one hour every day to reflect on his future.
This really struck a chord with me. Dedicating one hour every day to focus just on you. There’s a revolutionary idea. Most of us could provide every excuse in the book for why that was impossible. We are all just too busy. There’s not enough time in the day. So many things need our attention. Christensen confesses it was a challenge because of the pressure from a brutal workload (he was a Rhodes scholar at the time) but he did it. He firmly believes then, and now, that the “decisions about how you allocate your personal time, energy and talent ultimately shape your life’s strategy.“ He gives the example of the new batch of disenchanted colleagues he encounters regularly at his Harvard Business School reunions to illustrate what happens when you don’t have a strategy and just let life happen.
If you’re someone who really yearns to write (admit it, that probably includes all of us) I’m sure it bothers you that you just can’t seem to find the time. But what if you said, I’m going to make the time for it. I’m going to carve out just one hour during my 24-hour day to focus on my writing. I’m going to spend from 10-11 p.m. writing instead of watching Homeland, or the end of the hockey game, or checking work email. The kids are in bed and the dishes are done, I could write.
If you have admitted you could invest the time, here are a few tips to set the stage for some really good productive writing and creative output.
A Room of One’s Own – Go to a place with a door that you can close, preferably one with a lock. Set up your desk in a comfortable place surrounded by things that inspire you. Turn your desk into a vision board with serene beach scenes, pictures of your favourite writers, inspirational quotes – anything that is going to motivate you. Bring some tea, coffee, chocolate, or maybe something stronger (let’s make this really fun) to boost the endorphins and inspiration.
Do not disturb – Notify all occupants of your home (human and four-legged) that this is your time and no one is to disturb you unless of course there is a fire or a zombie apocalypse (because you don’t want to miss that writing opportunity). Winston Churchill used to take a nap in the middle of the afternoon during World War II with instructions not be disturbed. If he could do it…
Namaste – Work in complete quiet in front of your computer, just you and your computer screen or notebook. You may want to put on your iPod headphones but don’t turn on the music. Just sit there in quiet and remember what it sounds like. It’s a foreign concept to all of us but in time you will start to love it again. It’s almost spiritual. If you’re finding it hard to work in complete silence, maybe spend the hour contemplating what the constant urge to check your Smartphone is doing to your poor mind. If you want to learn something you have to focus and commit to practicing it over and over again. We are all doing a million things during the day, diffusing our energy all over the place. Our minds need at least one hour of complete focus
Start Typing – anything – I never stare at a blank screen. I always just start typing something, whatever is in my head that wants to come out. It may not make any sense at first but I find as I continue to type and free associate, certain words or sentences jump out from the page. They may form the basis of something great.
Shhh…Don’t tell anyone what you’re writing – As Hemingway put it, “Writing is a private, lonely occupation with no need for witnesses until the final work is done.” Whatever you are writing, resist the urge to share it with loved ones until it’s almost at final draft.
Read quality material – When you’re not writing, fill your head with good writing. You don’t have to read the New Yorker on the subway every single morning but choose to fill your head with the work of experts in the craft.
I am willing to wager this may become the best part of your day. You may start to look forward to this time when your mind is free and takes you to places that will push you, inspire you and energize you. That one hour may change your life — just like Professor Christensen.
This really struck a chord with me. Dedicating one hour every day to focus just on you. There’s a revolutionary idea. Most of us could provide every excuse in the book for why that was impossible. We are all just too busy. There’s not enough time in the day. So many things need our attention. Christensen confesses it was a challenge because of the pressure from a brutal workload (he was a Rhodes scholar at the time) but he did it. He firmly believes then, and now, that the “decisions about how you allocate your personal time, energy and talent ultimately shape your life’s strategy.“ He gives the example of the new batch of disenchanted colleagues he encounters regularly at his Harvard Business School reunions to illustrate what happens when you don’t have a strategy and just let life happen.
If you’re someone who really yearns to write (admit it, that probably includes all of us) I’m sure it bothers you that you just can’t seem to find the time. But what if you said, I’m going to make the time for it. I’m going to carve out just one hour during my 24-hour day to focus on my writing. I’m going to spend from 10-11 p.m. writing instead of watching Homeland, or the end of the hockey game, or checking work email. The kids are in bed and the dishes are done, I could write.
If you have admitted you could invest the time, here are a few tips to set the stage for some really good productive writing and creative output.
A Room of One’s Own – Go to a place with a door that you can close, preferably one with a lock. Set up your desk in a comfortable place surrounded by things that inspire you. Turn your desk into a vision board with serene beach scenes, pictures of your favourite writers, inspirational quotes – anything that is going to motivate you. Bring some tea, coffee, chocolate, or maybe something stronger (let’s make this really fun) to boost the endorphins and inspiration.
Do not disturb – Notify all occupants of your home (human and four-legged) that this is your time and no one is to disturb you unless of course there is a fire or a zombie apocalypse (because you don’t want to miss that writing opportunity). Winston Churchill used to take a nap in the middle of the afternoon during World War II with instructions not be disturbed. If he could do it…
Namaste – Work in complete quiet in front of your computer, just you and your computer screen or notebook. You may want to put on your iPod headphones but don’t turn on the music. Just sit there in quiet and remember what it sounds like. It’s a foreign concept to all of us but in time you will start to love it again. It’s almost spiritual. If you’re finding it hard to work in complete silence, maybe spend the hour contemplating what the constant urge to check your Smartphone is doing to your poor mind. If you want to learn something you have to focus and commit to practicing it over and over again. We are all doing a million things during the day, diffusing our energy all over the place. Our minds need at least one hour of complete focus
Start Typing – anything – I never stare at a blank screen. I always just start typing something, whatever is in my head that wants to come out. It may not make any sense at first but I find as I continue to type and free associate, certain words or sentences jump out from the page. They may form the basis of something great.
Shhh…Don’t tell anyone what you’re writing – As Hemingway put it, “Writing is a private, lonely occupation with no need for witnesses until the final work is done.” Whatever you are writing, resist the urge to share it with loved ones until it’s almost at final draft.
Read quality material – When you’re not writing, fill your head with good writing. You don’t have to read the New Yorker on the subway every single morning but choose to fill your head with the work of experts in the craft.
I am willing to wager this may become the best part of your day. You may start to look forward to this time when your mind is free and takes you to places that will push you, inspire you and energize you. That one hour may change your life — just like Professor Christensen.
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