# Transforming Tiny Habits into a Writing Career with a Full-Time Job
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Chapter 1: The Journey from Employee to Creator
Three years ago, I left my government job to pursue a career as a full-time creator. This shift would not have been feasible without laying the groundwork for my writing career while still employed. Balancing both was no easy feat, with endless meetings, work functions, and daily responsibilities consuming most of my time. Despite these challenges, I managed to write 30 articles a month, thanks to five tiny habits I will share here.
Before diving into those habits, I want to highlight the impact of writing 90 Medium articles over 90 days from June to August 2020. This experience not only earned me over 100 new followers daily and generated more than $500 per month but also provided invaluable feedback from readers around the globe. Ultimately, this writing marathon served as a springboard for my writing career, leading me to gain over 174K followers and develop multiple income streams. Now, let's explore how you can achieve similar success and write every day without fail.
Daily Ideation: The Key to Creative Flow
One major hurdle for writers is consistently generating fresh ideas, especially when juggling a full-time job, which often drains your creative energy. I realized that waiting for inspiration was counterproductive. Instead, I cultivated the habit of idea journaling, which helped me escape the frustration of staring at a blank page. Here’s how to develop this habit:
- Find a comfortable spot, grab a journal and a pen.
- Write down 10 spontaneous ideas that come to mind.
- Choose 2 ideas and create outlines with relevant headings.
- Repeat this daily to build a reservoir of ideas for future articles.
Keep in mind that not every idea will become an article, but they will serve as a helpful starting point.
Let Weekends Guide Your Writing
Balancing creative aspirations with a full-time job can be exhausting, particularly when it comes to staying organized. To maintain daily writing without losing momentum, I turned to content planning. Here’s how to stay productive:
- Identify topics for the upcoming week.
- Set deadlines for writing, editing, and publishing.
- Monitor your progress to stay accountable and adjust as necessary.
- Allocate time to promote your work on social media for broader reach.
Establish a Fixed Writing Schedule
Integrating writing into your daily routine is crucial for consistency, even after a long workday. For me, this meant committing to a writing slot from 9 PM to 11 PM—my only available time after work. Here’s how to make writing a non-negotiable part of your day:
- Dedicate a specific time solely for writing.
- Keep your writing sessions distraction-free.
- Train your mind to show up for writing, regardless of your energy levels.
While it may feel daunting at first, adhering to this discipline will yield worthwhile results.
Avoid Waiting for Inspiration
With a day job, you can’t afford to wait for the perfect moment to write. You have limited time each day to achieve your writing goals. Here’s how to maximize your writing hours for better productivity:
- Use your idea journal and outlines to kickstart your writing.
- Focus on completing your daily writing targets rather than striving for perfection.
- Avoid editing during the first draft phase.
A crucial mindset shift is to recognize that you will find your flow after the first 200 words. Write those initial words mechanically, and soon you’ll find yourself in a productive rhythm.
Be Mindful of Your Publishing Schedule
During my three-month writing challenge, I didn’t publish articles immediately after writing them. To sustain my efforts, I created a repository of ready-to-publish content. Here’s my workflow:
- Complete a 1,000-word article in 2 hours and let it rest overnight.
- Edit and proofread the following day before starting a new article.
- Conduct a final proofreading session after two days, then publish.
Always remember: perfection is an illusion. Your primary goal should be to publish.
Conclusion: Transforming Habits into Success
I began my online writing journey while managing teaching and PhD research. If I could write daily amid such demands, so can you. By adopting these five habits, you’ll move closer to achieving your creative aspirations:
- Maintain an idea journal and outline ideas to overcome writer’s block.
- Utilize weekends for planning content by selecting topics, setting deadlines, and tracking your progress.
- Dedicate a fixed writing time each day free from distractions.
- Create systems to meet your writing goals, even on off days.
- Emphasize publishing over perfection by adhering to a schedule.
Though it may seem overwhelming, these moments of dedication will enhance your creativity, sharpen your skills, and help shape your dreams.
“Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” – Andy Warhol
If you're looking to kickstart a successful freelance writing career but don’t know where to begin, check out Freelance Superheroes—a comprehensive guide to starting from scratch and landing high-paying clients.
More insights on daily writing and building a content-driven business can be found here:
Being the Client I Wish I’d Found in My Freelance Writing Days
Lessons in entrepreneurship from my freelancing career.
What I’m Doing to Make More Money as a Freelance Writer in 2024
Upskilling as the world around me evolves is key to staying afloat.
Entrepreneurs, Here’s the Pre-Launch Reality Check You Need
Lessons I wish I had known before starting my business.
Chapter 2: Valuable Insights from YouTube
Writing is a journey that often requires guidance and inspiration. Here are two YouTube videos that delve into effective habits and routines for writers:
The Routine That Helped Me Write 30 Articles A Month (With A Day Job) - This video explores a structured approach to writing that balances job responsibilities and creative output.
8 Tiny Habits That Actually Improved My Life - This video discusses small habits that can lead to significant improvements in productivity and overall well-being, essential for any aspiring writer.