5 ways to build a daily writing habit

September 29, 2022

In Today’s edition:

  • 5 ways to build a daily writing habit

  • ​Brand30 August 2022 enrollment is now open (early bird pricing ends May 31)

  • Get 5 weeks of Taplio for just $1

5 ways to build a daily writing habit

1. Set your constraints.

  1. Time: Find a time to write every morning or evening at the same time

  2. Place: Find a spot in your home or in a coffee shop that equals writing only

  3. Length: Set a word-count you want to achieve everyday

  4. Platform: Choose 1 place where you do all of your writing (these days I’m using Taplio to store & schedule all of my writing).

The right environment = the right headspace.

2. Keep a swipe file

A swipe file is a place where you keep ALL of your ideas.

If you are like me and everyone else, you tell yourself you will remember later. And you never actually remember and kick yourself.

I keep it simple. My swipe file is in the notes app of my iPhone / Macbook. Other potential options include:

  • Notion

  • Google docs or sheets

  • Post-it notes

  • Your journal

It really doesn’t matter what you use. Just stick to 1 thing so your ideas are consolidated in one place.

2. Eliminate distractions

You’d be surprised what 30-90 minutes of deep work can do.

  • Put your phone in another room

  • Cut your wifi while you work

  • Close the door to your room

  • Don’t do ANYTHING besides sit down and write

Easier said than done of course.

4. Get a calendar and mark an “X” for every day you write

Jerry Seinfeld used this technique to become one of the world’s best writers and comedians.

He would write every morning and put a big red X for every day of writing.

This is a classic (and simple) way of rewarding yourself.

Your goal is to not “break the chain”. In other words, get an “X” on the calendar every day!

5. Create an idea generation system for yourself

Here’s the TL;DR on one of the systems we use in Brand30:

  • Step 1: Ask yourself: "What are all of the problems I've solved and topics I've learned about over the last 2 years?"

  • Step 2: Write them out in a list on pen & paper or your notes app

  • Step 3: Now write for your two years ago self.

We tend to think we need to be an expert when writing online.

Not true.

There is always a market for people 2 steps behind you.