Refresh your routine: Schedule writing time this fall

Are you squeezing the last drops of summer out of August? Or are you back to school already? For most academics, the fall term is either upon you or right around the corner. A new term usually means a shift in the weekly routine. Let’s take advantage of that shift to boost your research and writing process this fall.

Most academic writers are more productive and less stressed when they schedule research/writing time into their weekly routine. You’ve probably heard this advice before, and for good reason. It works. If you are teaching, you don’t let “showing up to class” fall to the bottom of your priority list. You show up because it’s scheduled, and people are depending on you to be there.

You can create the same accountability for your research time. Put it on your calendar. Keep that time sacred. Don’t let unrelated meetings or tasks (ahem, grading) creep into it. I realize we are all human, and weird things happen, and sometimes you won’t honor your research time. But make sure you have a really good reason to cancel—the thing that makes you cancel your writing time should be the same level of emergency that would make you cancel class.

When I help clients set up their weekly writing routines, they frequently ask me two questions:

• How many hours a week should I schedule?

• When should I schedule them?

Schedule however many hours you need to reach your writing goals. The only way to dial this in is to experiment and adjust. First, define your goals. Schedule your hours. Do the work for a week, and see if you met your goals. Adjust as needed until you hit your sweet spot.

The best time to schedule your research time is the most convenient and productive time for you. Pay attention to your natural energy cycles. When are you at your most creative? Notice the rhythm of your day given your other obligations. Do you drop kids off at school early and get to your office before many other people are there? That quiet window might be ideal. Buzzing with ideas after a workout? Maybe that’s a productive time slot for you.

For many (maybe most!) people, sticking to your writing routine is hard without external accountability. If you miss class, there will be social consequences. Building external accountability into your routine by sharing it with others can make a big difference. You might find a writing buddy, a writing group, or a coach. You can work side by side or report in on a regular basis.

What’s your research routine going to look like this fall? Share in the comments!