In my last post, I talked about how you can move your writing forward by expanding your perception of ‘writing time’ to Product Time, which includes not only drafting, revising and editing, but all the other things a writer needs to do to complete a writing project.
The very best part of Product Time is that you commit for just 15 minutes a day. Or if 15 minutes seems like too big a commitment, commit for 10 minutes or even 5 minutes. You commit to an amount of time that seems small enough that you can do it and will do it no matter what else has gone on that day.
Remember, what you do in those 15 minutes is wide open as long as you’re doing something to advance your writing. There have been days when I had a heavy teaching and coaching schedule, completed a project by a deadline, had to clean up after a sick dog, go out to a social event and felt wiped out by 11:00 pm when I realized I hadn’t done my Product Time yet. Those are the days when I’ve done internet research – it’s amazing what you can learn about mules or distilleries (both of which appear in my novel) in 15 minutes – or daydreamed plot possibilities.
If I had to write for more than 15 minutes on those days, I’d like to think I’d do it, but I know it’s more likely I’d just give up and promise myself I’d get to my novel ‘soon.’ Before I discovered the magic of a 15 minute commitment, I’d tell myself I couldn’t write when I was so busy, that I would do it tomorrow when I had more time. But I never seemed to have any more time the next day. Sound familiar?
But since I started committing to just 15 minutes, I can do it. Day after day, week after week, year after year. I commit to 15 minutes of Product Time five days a week and I recommend students and clients commit to Product Time somewhere between three and six times a week.
The 15 minutes are magic because they aren’t intimidating. It’s not a big deal. And because it’s not a big deal, you can do it. Just 15 minutes, heck that’s not even worth triggering the RAS and the limbic system about. Before you know it, you’re so used to this 15 minute thing, you’re often slipping your writing in under the resistance radar. That’s why 15 minutes make such a huge difference.
Showing up for just 15 minutes a day gives you momentum. Your writing is in your mind and even when you’re not consciously thinking about it, your unconscious is working on it. It’s easier to start writing each day because it’s fresh. The longer you stay away from your writing, the harder it is to come back.
You get into a habit of showing up for your writing and habits hang on long after ‘self-discipline’ and ‘willpower’ have faded. You’ll get so much more writing done in 15 minutes a day, three to six times a week than you ever will waiting for the day when you have “all the time you need” because that day will never come.
Remember, the key is that the time commitment is so small, you can do it no matter what. If 15 minutes is a big deal, make it 10. If 10 minutes is still a little scary, make it 5. Eventually, you’ll want to stretch those 5 minutes into 10, maybe 15. But you never commit to more than 15 minutes.
If you want to keep writing after the 15 minutes, go for it. But the commitment is never more than 15 Magic Minutes.
Let me know how the magic works for you.
[...] I respectfully disagree with Mr. Glass only about the suggestion to finish a story a week – that kind of pressure can be the source of resistance, even full-fledged writer’s block. You do need to write often and a lot, but I still think the best way to do that is with the 15 Magic Minutes. [...]
[...] often proclaimed the power of short, regular writing sessions (see previous posts on 15 Magic Minutes, 10 Reasons to Show Up,or Initial [...]
[...] time you invest in physical activity will improve the quality of – and put the magic in – your 15 Magic Minutes of writing. Advertisement Eco World Content From Across The Internet. Featured on EcoPressed [...]
[...] commitment to show up for 15 Magic Minutes of Product Time five times a week is one of those habits that trigger unconscious assumptions and [...]
[...] 15-minute upper limit on the commitment means you won’t be tempted to postpone writing for other demands [...]
[...] you simply show up. Honor your commitments to put in your 15 Magic Minutes of Product Time whether you feel resistant or [...]
[...] do you jump into the wind? You write today. You show up for your 15 Magic Minutes of Product Time. Maybe you draft something you’ve been thinking about. Maybe you freewrite to [...]
[...] sense possible to include anything that is related to a writing project (aka Product Time or 15 Magic Minutes). It might be drafting or revising, but it might also be freewriting in response to an exercise in [...]
Hello, Rosanne!
I’m a 38 years old Brazilian writer, and I have a blog called “Dicas de Roteiro” (‘Screenwriting Tips’) where I write my own posts and translate interest ones written in English, since many Brazilian students can’t read in English. I’m here to say that your blog changed my life! Your posts about fighting our inner resistance are the best! I discovered that this 15 Magic Minutes work for everything, not only writing! For exercising, cleaning up the mess of my desk, studying and even wash the dishes at night when I’m too tired! It destroys all my resistance. It’s really magical! =D
Thank you so much for your generosity, for sharing your knowledge with the rest of the world. God bless you and pay you double!
Valéria Olivetti
Thank you, Valéria. Yes, it’s the simple ideas like 15 Magic Minutes that can transform our thinking, but really you’re the one who’s changing your life. Good for you!
I’m just tickled to hear that my blog has made it to Brazil. Thanks for translating my blog for your students.
[...] of the advantages of the 15 Magic Minutes is that because you know you’re going to write for just a short time, you don’t feel as big a [...]
[...] is part of why committing to writing for just 15 magic minutes is so effective – because it’s only for 15 minutes, you can envision letting go of all the other [...]
[...] doesn’t include fighting or running away. Not sure what the something might be? May I suggest 15 magic minutes of Product Time or a Loft class or a fiction [...]
[...] you only have to show up for 10 or 15 Magic Minutes to get all the benefits of showing [...]
[...] eliminate all expectations, set one simple guideline that all you have to do is show up for your 15 Magic Minutes and start. Just start. Start drafting or freewriting, start revising, start researching, start [...]
I just commit to 5 minutes a day. I guess 15 sounded like too much for me. But it’s very easy to see 5 minutes extend to 15 and 15 extend to 30 and beyond. It just keeps me moving forward and from feeling guilty.
Hi Erick,
If 5 minutes is the magic number for you, fantastic! The power is in selecting a number that seems easy. When 5 minutes gets you started, you can keep going for as long as you want. But to clarify: the commitment should never be more than 15 minutes.
I’m glad to hear Product Time is still working for you!