One of the things I realized as of starting my new job is that I will have to get much more efficient about writing blog posts. I have a very simple to-do list system. I use a very basic application called Anxiety and I break up my list into 3 categories
High Priority: These are the tasks that are on my must-complete list every day. I don’t look at anything else until everything here has been completed.
Mid Priority: These things get back burned quite a bit, but for the most part they are very tiny fixes. I used to have a low priority list, but was just excessive.
Blog Topics: One of my favorite uses of Anxiety is to use it for jotting down blog post ideas. As you see, at any given time I have 25+ ideas for topics.
What is the Stopwatch Method?
It’s exactly what it sounds like. The above screen shot is from an application called Appimac Timer I discovered when I was looking for something that would allow me to track the time that I was putting into every post I was writing. At the time of writing this, it was the first day of using the stopwatch method. I’ve probably written 5-6 blog posts. Each took roughly 20 minutes.
Implementing the Stopwatch Method
Time Limits: One of the things I learned in my first interview with Josh Hanagarne was the fact that he doesn’t spend more than 20 minutes on a blog post. He forces himself to stay within that time limit. I had forgotten about this concept until the other day when I was editing an interview with Matt Cheuvront at Life Without Pants. If you set a time limit you’ll be amazed at how fast you’ll start writing and how quickly things will flow. Find a simple stopwatch application like the one above. Set time limits and start writing.
Distraction Free Writing Tools: The next key to making this work is the use of a distraction free writing tool. Most A-list bloggers will tell you that they use distraction free writing tools. I currently use MacJournal, but there are several others as well. WriteRoom is another popular tool that serves the same purpose.
If you are disciplined about using the Stopwatch Method, I think you’ll find a significant increase in your productivity and writing a blog post in 20 minutes won’t seem as daunting as it sounds.
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{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
I HAVE to start doing this. We talked about it during my interview and I admire the heck out of Josh (and now you) for making it happen. It seems absolutely impossible to me from the outside looking in, but it’s only because I’m one of those people who write, then revise, then revise again. I was talking to another friend/blogger the other day who mentioned how she makes a habit of this “kamikaze” blogging – essentially writing EXACTLY what she was thinking – and then hitting publish without editing or thinking much about it.
Needless to say – the over-thinker in me was impressed – this is really the direction I want to take my writing in. Much of what I write can and should be written in far less time.
Thanks for this post!
I usually like to spend a few days writing a post. On average I have around 5 or so posts that I work on at once. Each post usually involves brainstorming and research before constructing the post.
I still do write the odd quick post here and there but I prefer a more relaxed and spread out approach
I will try this! I think giving yourself a time limit is a good idea… Sometimes for me it’s the wandering off and procrastinating or worrying that something isn’t good enough that makes me take longer.
That’s an exellent idea and I’ve thought about that in the past but never given it a second thought. Right now I can take more time about blogging but in the future that might not be the case so when that does come about I will certainly be giving that a go!
I do try and write within 700 words though but that doesn’t always work because i just like to babble!
I have been using a program called Write or Die from http://writeordie.drwicked.com/ after seeing a friend with a similar mac version. It is what it is, but definitely adds the element of time to writing. I use it for writing blog posts and it has help to shorten the length of time it used to take me to write them.
The Real Josh´s last blog ..Ideas on how to double your income in under 6 months
@Matt: Glad to see you here. I can’t say that I’m a kamikaze blogger. But I can hammer out my posts pretty quickly. I’ll edit when I’m dropping it into worpdress. I think it comes down to implementing it and testing. I use the same process for commenting on blogs as well.
@Anthony: I think it comes down to whatever works best for each person. I tend to batch write all my posts when I have multiple ideas. So sometimes I might sit down on a sunday and hammer them all out.
@Amit: I think you’ll find as your blog grows and there are other things you have to work on (i.e marketing, product stuff, etc) it’s likely that time management will play a huge role in how things get done.
@Josh: I’ve heard of that tool. Sounds like a great option. I like Appimac timer because I can use it for multiple things.
Wow this is definitely a great post! Time limits are great although I usually spend hours and not minutes writing blog posts, but maybe that’s just me
Oscar – freestyle mind´s last blog ..Interview with Jonny of The Life Thing
@Oscar: You should know the method could be implemented into all of the tasks that you do on a daily basis.
Good post, I thought I read somewhere about writing in five minutes, but I like this one better. I really need to get better at getting my thoughts out at once.
Mike Key – Entrepreneurial Ninja´s last blog ..Learning To Get Outside Your Comfort Zone
@Mike: Yeah it’s amazing. If you get disciplined about doing this, you’ll be amazed how your content production efficiency increases.
I wish I could do that. I guess I’m in a different niche than you guys. Sometimes it takes me a couple of hours just to test code snippets to ensure they’re correct.
Dave Doolin´s last blog ..DIY WordPress: Thesis Theme Custom Splash Page
Great post – am starting to practice this with my posts now!
Srinivas,
Thanks for these helpful advices about how to increase our productivity.
I wouldn’t apply this approach to blogging anyway, because for me blogging is a joy…
I have the same approach with blogging that I have regarding reading: I would never take one course on speed reading…
Yes, I will take my time for pleasures such as blogging, reading, eating, etc. Specially etc…
Boris´s last blog ..I disagree with… Steve Pavlina
Hey Srini!
Nice to see that your blog is growing and that you are gaining plenty of readers
Setting a time limit may indeed help you write faster but I prefer to take my time. I have learnt that the most popular posts are around 1200-1500 words and sometimes these kind of posts take more than 2 hours to write, edit and perfect.
Have an awesome weekend!!
Diggy – Upgradereality.com´s last blog ..What Message Will You Leave Behind
@Dave: I definitely think nature of the subject is something you have to keep in mind with this approach.
@Boris: I love writing as well. But, I’m also interested in producing content efficiently because I’m working on multiple projects and efficiency is essential to getting it all my content out there.
@Diggy: I think the most important thing is to figure out what works best for you. I occasionally write longer posts and I don’t think those take 20 minutes. Glad to see you here at Skool of Life
What is your new job?
Srinivas – thanks. I have been reading your blog for the last week and very much enjoying it, the tips, your guest bloggers, all excellent. Two questions for you on this post:
1) Using the stopwatch method are you happy with the quality of the content? I ask because I see the value in limiting time but I sort of agree with those that would rather post infrequently but really say something they way they want (Steve Pavlina is like this, so is Jason Cohen at A Smart Bear).
2) Regarding your prioritization process, I do something similar. Do you have a sense for how many “high priority” items you really can get through in a day? In other words, if you have two that are high for example but the first is all consuming (and you know this) do you still rank as high priority? Further what happens to mid priority items? Do you blow them off or just keep on the list until you can get to them.
Thanks, and keep up the great work here.
Marc Winitz´s last blog ..Welcome to My Digital Dojo
@Marc: With regards to quality of content, yes I’m definitely happy with it. I don’t write anything when I don’t have an idea. But forcing a time limits allows to to be efficient with everything I do. Sure I could dissect every article and I can edit it a thousand times, but I find this to be effective. I tend to write articles in batches so that’s part of what helps.
In terms of my to-do list I try to only put on high priority item things, items that I know I can cross off. Hope that helps
. Thanks for checking out my blog.
@Dan: I’m working in social media for an online travel company called Cheapair.com
Wow! 20 minute blog posts are very fast.
I spend an hour or two just researching for my interviews. My blog posts can take many hours. Maybe that is why I focus on interviews.
I love the how this would focus your attention. Maybe I need get a little more disciplined.
John Bardos – JetSetCitizen´s last blog ..Interview with Rising Star, Adam Baker of ManVsDebt
@John: I think it largely is about focus. People get distracted really easily from what they are working on, especially me
. I find that enforcing time limits really allows me to plug away. If I feel the quality of my post suffers, obviously I don’t just push publish, but I’m usually batch writing so I try to stay within that 20 minute time frame.
I have actually been experimenting with time keeping on blog posts recently and i’ve found, like you have, that setting a limit can really help to get more done.
My most recent post is almost 3000 words long and it only took me a little over 30 minutes to write.
If you follow the link on my name above you’ll find the post I tried to write in 5 minutes or less and how I did it.
I might have to try a distraction free writing app to improve my speed even more!
Ian´s last blog ..A Blogger’s Guide to Commenting
@Ian: I think that this method has been tremendously effective for me. I would say if you get your hands on distraction free writing tools, you’re going to be even more golden. I have ADHD, and with the world of social media it’s a double edged sword since it can be a blessing and a curse. But distraction free writing has been huge for me.
I feel your pain.
I think my main barrier to using these tools is getting used to the visual aspect of not having any other icons, buttons, links, tabs or anything else on the screen.
It’s something I think I’ll have to thrust myself into completely if I want to write more quickly and increase overall quality.
Ian´s last blog ..A Blogger’s Guide to Commenting
Aloha!
This article is incredible! I am very new to the social media world and blogging, and it always takes me FOREVER to even write a letter because I don’t jot down ideas prior to writing it and I feel like I have to tell EVERYTHING I am thinking. I really appreciated what you said about “planting seeds” because really that is how we can create a sense of community. I love to hear what others have to say and what they say may be the very thing that you need to help enlarge your understanding on an idea. Also an excellent use of your time. Great leverage!
Always looking for great tips on writing better blog posts.
Thanks
Irene
Irene´s last blog ..15 Sign Off Phrases
Donno man. The quickest is 30 min for me, but generally it’s 1-1.5 hours. I like to edit, re-write put in relevant links etc.
I’m the guy who re-checks his exam twice before handing it in always. It helped me get a high GPA in college, which helped me get a job. I figure best to spend the extra 30 min re-reading etc to give it your best, especially if you have a large audience.
Financial Samurai´s last blog ..Millionaires Need Love Too Ya Know
I love this use of the 80/20 and the Parkinson’s principles.
Stanley Lee´s last blog ..Wasteful Consequences of Information Overload
Gosh I use the stop watch to monitor myself on email but then it runs out and I add 5 minutes and then another 5 minutes and then realize I have missed the whole POINT !!! I am about to work on a guest post and will try this method, thank you!
Farnoosh´s last blog ..The Soundtrack of Your Life- Living with Music
Farnoosh,
Thanks for stopping by
. This method has been tremendously effective for me. At this point, I’m very quick about getting things done so that I can get out of the house and go surf as soon as possible. I think keeping distractions out of the picture is also essential.