If you work in any area where you must turn your thoughts into words, then writing is unavoidable. Whether it’s an email, memo, legal brief, social media post, blog post, article, or sales page, writing is a necessary part of life.
And, sorry, but ChatGPT can’t do it all for you.
From the start of my career — and even before — writing has been an essential task that I’ve been forced to master. In college and law school, I gravitated to classes that required essays and papers for the final grade. As a lawyer, I regularly had to compose letters and legal briefs.
For the past several years, I’ve published a daily blog, writing over a million words a year.
That’s a lot of thoughts and ideas put into words on paper (or a screen).
Here’s a secret: Although I often feel a compulsion to write, I don’t really love to write.
In fact, I’m not sure anyone truly enjoys the process.
Turning a jumble of thoughts into words is hard work — a “heavy lift” that requires training and practice, just like any other skill.
It’s no surprise, then, that my approach to writing mirrors my approach to working out.
I took a system I used for success in one realm and applied it to another realm.
Here is a guide to make writing a little more easeful and perhaps even fun.
7 Steps to Make Writing Easier — and Maybe Even Fun
(1) Assess the Load
I’ve found I have my best workouts when I walk into the gym knowing what my programming is for that day.
When we know what we’ll be doing, we can prepare better for it, both physically and mentally. You may need certain equipment or prefer specific sneakers depending on the workout. Some programming might take longer than other workouts.
The same applies for writing.
Look at what you need to write and assess the load. A formal memo to your boss or client, a term paper or dissertation, and an email are all different types of cognitive load. Some pieces may require more research or data.
A term paper, long essay, or sales page will likely take longer to write than a social media post or a brief email.
(2) Create a Strategy
Before I show up to the gym, I consider my strategy. For example, before deadlifts, I think through my weight progressions. When I’m facing a high volume “chipper” workout, I plan my strategy for how I’ll break up the sets and when I’ll rest.
While I may adjust the plan in real time based on how my lifts are going and how I feel during the workout, my plan gives me a starting point.
The same applies to writing.
Once you’ve assessed your load, create a strategy for how you want to approach it.
For a shorter piece, like a brief email, blog, or social media post, determine what you need to say and how long it will take to write.
For a bigger piece like a legal brief, sales page, or long-form article, treat it like a “chipper” workout: create an outline of the piece, then break it up into manageable sections.
I think of these sections as “work packets.” Together they make up the whole, but each one individually feels like a completed piece of work. This gives your brain a finish line for your writing session, which helps you manage the load.
(3) Plan Your Timing
Most CrossFit workouts have some type of time cap attached to them, whether it’s a time limit on a “for time” workout or the constraints of an AMRAP that prescribes the time domain.
You can apply the same constraint to your writing.
A clear assessment of how much time you need will help you time-block your writing and stay on schedule.
Once you’ve assessed your load and created your strategy for how to break it up, determine how much time you need to complete each “work packet” or section of what you need to write.
Be realistic in this assessment; if anything, it’s better to over-estimate how much time you’ll need.
Make sure to account for the time you’ll need to ramp-up or get into flow; there’s nothing more frustrating than hitting time and getting interrupted just when you’re getting into your groove.
Also plan how much time you’ll rest between your working sets.
(4) Plan Your Environment
When I’m planning my workout, I don’t just plan the what and when; I also know where I’m doing it. I do most of my workouts in the gym. It’s the most effective place to do that activity and it has the equipment I need.
If I’m wanted to swim, I’d go to a pool. If you’re playing tennis, you’re going to a tennis court.
Environment sets the tone for your activity. Determine what location has the best energy for what you need to write.
I may write in the gym, a coffee shop, or library depending on what I’m writing.
(5) Have a Playlist
What would a workout be without music?
Writing is no different.
Music triggers dopamine, which helps us stay focused and in flow. Energizing music can keep you in the groove, drown out the inner critic, and occupy the part of the brain that is prone to distraction.
Just like different types of workouts require different types of music — you wouldn’t expect to hear heavy metal in a restorative yoga class — different types of writing might call for different playlists.
Sometimes you might need music with lyrics that you can rock out to; other times you might need purely instrumental music.
(6) Prime Yourself
A pre-workout warm-up primes the body and the nervous system for the work its about to do. Some part of the warm-up should get your central nervous system online, while other parts prime the movement patterns you’re going to perform.
The same concept applies for any other task, including writing. Obviously, you need to prime your mind to get the brain functions working and hone your focus, but don’t overlook the body.
Whether you write while sitting or standing, you’re using your body in a specific way. Your legs are holding you up. Your core must engage. You’re using your fingers and hands. Your head is a heavy weight putting a load on your neck, especially if you’re head is tilted down or forward.
Before you start writing, prime your body and mind by moving your body. This may be a full workout, or a walk around the block, but you don’t have to work up a sweat or even leave your office.
You can do jumping jacks, air squats, pushups, a quick yoga flow, or some resistance band exercises.
Five to ten minutes of intentional movement will increase the blood flow to your brain, turning on your cognitive function. It will also boost your dopamine, which will help you focus.
If you do nothing else, do this.
(7) Use a Timer
Before you start your work session, set a timer.
There’s nothing like a timer to kick your butt into gear. I have noticed that when I do a workout on a timer I tend to push myself a little harder than when I do the same workout without a timer.
The ADHD brain thrives on urgency — it helps boost adrenaline and dopamine. Use that to your advantage.
In fact, you might find it helpful to use an interval workout timer, which will keep track of both your work and rest periods. This will help you stay on track during your rest periods.
If you know it’s going to take 45 minutes to write a section, set that as your active time with 5–10 minutes rest between. Treat it like a competition or a workout: race to complete your work packet in that time frame
If you don’t have a timer, use an alternative way to track your time.
A note of caution: find the line where you feel enough urgency to hone your focus but not so much that you veer into crisis mode. A little “fight/flight” energy can help; but too much can cross over into “freeze.”
When the timer goes off, put your pen down or step away from the keyboard. Honor the period by giving your brain a break from cognitive activity. Get up and move your body again.
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