Blogger: Mary Keeley
We all have moments (okay days, months, seasons, YEARS) when we feel so overwhelmed by demands, responsibilities, troubles, and other preoccupations that we often feel as though it’s necessary to add “breathe” to the to-do list just so it gets done. Starting off as we did yesterday, remember that God is the author of your life—and your writing. Prioritize a timeout—even when it seems counterproductive . . . ESPECIALLY when it seems counterproductive—just to be quiet with him for a few minutes. A frazzled brain can’t function or think effectively.
Then follow these tips to keep up with the publishing world:
1. Instead of following ten blogs, choose two or three you think have an eye for the pulse of this industry. You may get more out of a few than a little out of scanning many.
2. I know several writers (and agents) who set a timer to stick with allotted social-networking time each day. A wise discipline.
3. Most of us have a long list of books we want to read . . . just as soon as we can finish the three we’re reading now. Commit to one or two chapters a day, or possibly choose a reading time that’s set aside for catching up on industry news. Keep a book in the car in case you forget your eReader when you run errands. You can get a chapter or two in while waiting for a freight train. (However, don’t do what I did once when I wanted to finish reading a chapter before going into the grocery store. An hour passed before I remembered the groceries. Should have had my timer with me.)
4. Read an article in an industry magazine one day per week, visit ECPA’s website the second day, CBA’s site the third day, and so on. Learn about online writing loops (such as ACFW’s for you fiction writers). Join in, and subscribe to the “digest” feed so you receive numerous comments in one e-mail a couple of times a day instead of one by one all day long.
Out of necessity, you most likely have developed some time-efficient habits that will help all of us. What enables you to keep up with the industry without chewing up entire hours at a time?
Kate
Oh Mary, I chuckled when you mentioned reading in the parking lot. Must have been a good book!
I find myself starting one project, like putting away groceries, and end up cleaning the fridge and rearranging the pantry. My social networking follows a similar pattern…commenting on one blog, following a link referred to, and “Liking” the person on Facebook…I definitely need a timer!
Great ideas to ponder over the weekend.
Mary Keeley
Let us know the adjustments you make, Kate!
Cindy R. Wilson
Mary, this is a good post and a great reminder on where and what we’re spending our time on. Every several weeks or months (whenever it’s needed), I try to re-evaluate priorities like this so I make sure I’m not spending more time but instead spending the same time more wisely. It’s hard, though, sometimes, I can definitely get carried away with e-mail and blogs.
Mary Keeley
Cindy, can’t we all be carried away. Discipling time involving social media is especially hard. Thanks for sharing your habit of re-evaluating priorities. That’s key.
Cheryl Malandrinos
When you posted this did you realize I’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately? 🙂 I did something this week: I removed myself from a bunch of Facebook groups, unsubscribed from a few mailing lists, and cleaned up my RSS Feeds. I had so much coming into my Inbox every day that tackling email took way too long.
I read every night as part of my bedtime ritual, so I know I’ll get some reading done. Trade articles are the things I don’t tend to get to. I used to keep a folder in my car. Maybe I’ll go back to that.
Thanks for the suggestions. They are very helpful.
Mary Keeley
You’ve already started simplifying, Cheryl. Tell us the difference it’s made for you. Great idea to keep trade articles in the car. Good way to use small amounts of time.
Cheryl Malandrinos
It’s made a much bigger difference than I thought it would. It’s so easy to let responding to email run away with you. I’ve reduced my incoming email by 80 to 100 messages a day. Yes, I could just delete them when they come in, but that takes time too and it’s tempting to click and see what an email is all about.
Lindsay Harrel
I love your suggestions, Mary. I’ve definitely found the first one to be helpful. There are SO MANY industry blogs out there, but if I can narrow in on a few, I’ll probably capture most of the major news. If we do this, we not only keep up with the latest news, but we slowly build a knowledge of the industry as a whole without giving large chunks of time to do so.
Mary Keeley
I agree, Lindsay. And there will be more time for writing.
Amanda Dykes
Wonderful words on the importance of prioritizing; thank you, Mary. My current trick is this: I visit two industry blogs each day (this being one of the dailies; I love this community… thank you all!), and then I pay attention to valuable tweets from industry professionals. When they link to articles that look worthwhile, I use the “ctrl+click” method to open it in a new tab, lining up all the reading I hope to get to later (usually 2-4 articles/posts). Then, I re-visit them as time allows later in the day. Keeps me from getting side-tracked and swallowed by the blog vortex.
Mary Keeley
Amanda, that’s a great method! I’m going to try it. So glad you enjoy our community. Thanks for sharing.
Lee Abbott
My computer was in the shop for a week, and I had to borrow my hubby’s laptop. The good news: I had to prioritize my computer time, and I learned that there was a lot of fat in my social media interaction. I’m working on a slimmer, trimmer lifestyle. Setting a timer will be my next approach. Thanks, Mary, for the affirmation that less can be more.
Mary Keeley
Slimmer, trimmer lifestyle . . . I’m going to remember that, Lee. I think it will become my personal reminder for maintaining balance.
Sarah Forgrave
Ah Mary, I needed that reminder to BREATHE. Thank you! 🙂
As you know, my time is very limited these days. I really like what you recommended in your first point. I try to limit the number of industry blogs I visit, but I still find myself scrolling through many on my blogroll that I never open. I could probably save ten minutes alone by just eliminating them from the list.
Mary Keeley
Good point, Sarah. When life is filled with so many other demands and you covet every minute you can squeeze in for writing, less but focused time spent on blog reading really can be more.
Tanya Cunningham
I love the common sense of it all. Thanks for such practical
tips!
Mary Keeley
Yes, out of necessity comes common sense.
Laura Christianson
Mary – Since social media marketing is my full time business, using a timer is essential. My favorite free online countdown timer is http://www.online-stopwatch.com/custom-stopwatch/.
You can make it play a variety of obnoxious sounds when time’s up, but I like the “applause” sound best… it’s an audience giving you an ovation for a job well done.
Mary Keeley
Thanks for sharing the link, Laura. “Applause” sound–fun! I think I’d respond more positively to that than an alarm clock sound.
Peter DeHaan
Great ideas!
I start reading blogs at 5 pm and stop when dinner is ready.
I’ve already eliminated some blogs from my reading list — and just so everyone knows, this is one I kept!
Mary Keeley
Peter, you’re fortunate to have a natural timer. Are you ever tempted to go back to blogs after dinner? Appreciate hearing this is one of the blogs you kept!
Martha Ramirez
Good tips! Thanks!
Mary Keeley
You’re welcome, Martha. Hope they help you.
Nathan Lowell
I follow close to 150 blogs and other news sources (including this blog) via RSS.
It takes only minutes a day, lets me prioritize which items I want to read, which I want to skim, and which — when time is tight — I just dump.
If you’re still visiting blogs and not using a tool like Google Reader or any of the other fine RSS tools, you’re wasting huge amounts of time.
JMO. YMMV.
Heather Marsten
Real helpful advice – I had been getting bogged down on the reading about writing and not doing the writing I need to.
Mary Keeley
Ah, great idea, Nathan. Using your method, we can choose what we want to read from the larger pool. Thanks for sharing.