The Exact Steps I Took To Develop a Daily Writing Habit & Become a Better Writer

Yeah yeah yeah, I know... there are already about 416,000 articles about this very topic.

So what the hell makes mine different and worth reading?

If you've read at least this far, then here are three big things.

1. I'm a nurse by training and had to learn how to write impactfully and effectively...
2. I had zero writing experience when I decided to take it up as a side hustle...
3. Now I make a solid 5-figures each month doing something I love but knew nothing about not too long ago...

So you see, I'm not an Amazon bestselling author; rather, I'm probably more like you than we both know.

I worked as an emergency room nurse during the pandemic with pretty long hours. But I knew deep down I wanted to write. I knew even deeper down that I needed to rely on tactics and strategies to do so.

Not hopes, prayers, and wishes.

So here we are, post-pandemic, and these are the things I did to develop that writing muscle and put myself on the road to 5 (soon 6) figures a month in ghostwriting income.

Make time to write

It can be hard to find time to write when you have a full-time job and other commitments. But it's essential to make time for writing if you want to develop a writing habit.

One way to make time for writing is to wake up early and write before work. This can be an excellent way to get started on your writing goals for the day.

Another way to make time for writing is to set aside some time each evening after work. This can be an excellent time to unwind from your day and get some writing done.

Whatever you do, make sure you find some time each day to write. Even if it's just for 30 minutes, making time to write each day will help you develop a daily writing habit.

TL;DR

• Set aside some time each evening after work

• Find some time each day to write

Start walking every day

The best way to find time to write is to make time for writing.

And the best way to make time for writing is to start walking every day.

Walking has been shown to have many health benefits, including improved mental health. And one of the ways that walking helps improve mental health is by increasing creativity.

When you walk, your body releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. Walking also increases blood flow to the brain, which can help to improve cognitive function.

So if you want to be more creative and find time to write, start walking each day. Even a short walk around the block can help to increase your creativity and give you some time to think about your writing goals.

TL;DR

• Improved mental health from endorphins

• Increased cognitive function from blood flow to the brain

• Easier time making time to write with less stress

Create your idea capture system

When developing a writing habit, it's crucial to have a system to capture your ideas.

This will help you stay organized and make the most of your writing time.

One way to capture your ideas is to use a notebook. This can be an excellent way to keep all of your ideas in one place. You can also use a notebook to brainstorm and plan your writing.

Another way to capture your ideas is to use a mind map. This can be an excellent way to visually see all of your ideas and how they fit together. You can also use a mind map to brainstorm and plan your writing.

Whatever you do, make sure you have a system to capture your ideas. This will help you stay organized and make the most of your writing time.

TL;DR

• Use a notebook or mind map to capture your ideas

• This will help you stay organized and make the most of your writing time

End your day with an evening brain dump

An evening brain dump can help you clear your mind and relax before bed

When you do a brain dump, you write down all of the thoughts and ideas swirling around in your head. This can help get rid of mental clutter and make it easier to relax before bed.

An evening brain dump can also help you capture your ideas and make sure you don't forget them. This can be a good way to ensure you don't forget your best ideas and have something to work on the next day.

To do an evening brain dump, simply get a piece of paper and write down everything on your mind. Don't worry about being perfect or clever. Just let the words flow and write down whatever comes to mind.

After you're done, put the piece of paper away and relax for the rest of the evening. You'll feel more relaxed and have a list of ideas to work on tomorrow.

TL;DR

• An evening brain dump can help you clear your mind and relax before bed

• It can also help you capture your ideas and make sure you don't forget them

Start small and build-up

When it comes to developing a daily writing habit, it's important to start small and build up.

Don't try to write for hours each day. Start with something more manageable, like 10 minutes. Once you've developed the habit of writing for 10 minutes each day, you can start to increase the amount of time you write.

But even if you only write for 10 minutes each day, you'll still be progressing on your writing goals. And over time, those 10 minutes will turn into hours.

So if you want to develop a daily writing habit, start small and build up. Don't try to write for hours each day. Start with something more manageable, like 10 minutes.

TL;DR

• Bullets before bombs (small then big)

• Don't try to write for hours each day. Start with something more manageable, like 10 minutes

Track your daily streak

Keeping track of your daily writing progress can be a great way to stay motivated and on track.

It's easier to keep going when you can see that you're making progress.

The best way to track your progress is to use a "streak chart." A streak chart is a simple way to track how many days you've completed a certain task in a row.

When you use a streak chart, you can see at a glance how well you're doing. This can help to motivate you to keep going and achieve your writing goals.

To create a streak chart, simply make a table with the following headings: "Date," "Task" and "Number of Days." Under the "Date" heading, list the date of each day. Under the "Task" heading, list the task you completed that day (e.g., "wrote for 10 minutes," "brainstormed," etc.). Under the "Number of Days" heading, list the number of days you completed the task in a row.

When you've completed the task for a day, simply add a new row to the table. After a few days, you'll have a streak chart that shows your progress.

TL;DR

• Tracking your daily writing progress can help you stay motivated and on track

• The best way to track your progress is to use a tool called a "streak chart"

• A streak chart is simply a table with the following headings: "Date," "Task" and "Number of Days"

The final word

Developing a daily writing habit can be challenging, but it's definitely worth the effort.

When you develop the habit of writing regularly, you'll see progress in your writing skills and be able to produce better work. So if you want to become a better writer, start by developing a daily writing habit.

Just like that, you have everything you need to build a daily writing habit.

And the TL;DR of this piece?

• An evening brain dump can help you clear your mind and relax before bed. It can also help you capture your ideas and ensure you don't forget them

• Start small and build up. Don't try to write for hours each day. Start with something more manageable, like 10 minutes. Once you've developed the habit of writing for 10 minutes each day, you can start to increase the amount of time you write

• Tracking your daily writing progress can help you stay motivated and on track. The best way to track your progress is to use a tool called a "streak chart"

By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to developing a strong daily writing habit.

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