If you’re like me, you probably don’t have hours and hours of free time to devote to writing. Maybe you wish you had it, but like me,  you don’t have enough of it. Life happens, and that’s completely normal. But if you want to write (and finish your novel) despite your already packed schedule, what you really need is 20 minutes a day.

20 minutes. Every day.

This may seem like an mission imposible, and you may wonder what you can do in 20 minutes? Well, actually, you can do a lot. With a little planning and discipline, those 20 minutes can become invaluable time to express your creativity.

Here are some tips on where to find and how to use those 20 minutes daily to write and achieve your writing goals.

> Plan ahead

Review your daily schedule and identify places to squeeze in 20 minutes to write. It can be in the evening when everyone in the house goes to sleep or in the morning before everyone wakes up. It can be during a lunch break or on public transport. I’m sure there are 20 free minutes in the day where you can write instead of, say, scrolling by mobile;)

By setting a specific time of day to write, you increase the likelihood that you will stick to it.

> Writing = priority

One ​​of the reasons many people fail to find time to write is that they don’t see it as a priority. If writing is important to you, treat it like any other thing that is important to you. Put it at the top of your priority list and commit to 20 minutes of writing daily. Just as you commit to a friend to go for a walk or as you commit to a work meeting.

> Remove distractions

To make the most of those 20 minutes, it is important to remove all possible distractions. Put away the mobile phone, turn off the TV, close unnecessary windows on the computer, and ask the household not to disturb you during those 20 minutes. By creating a calm and focused environment, you can fully devote yourself to writing and be productive.

> Timer

You need a timer, not the one on your cell phone, because looking at the cell phone could distract you or, worse, lead you in an unwanted direction. Get a timer/clock/stopwatch and let the countdown begin, and then the writing sprint begins.

> Make writing a habit

Consistency is key. When you write every day, even just for 20 minutes, it becomes a habit. After a few weeks or months, those 20 minutes will become an integral part of your day, and you will see significant progress in your writing.

Of course, sometimes you will write longer than 20 minutes 🙂

> Be realistic in your expectations and goal-setting

To begin with, let your goal be to secure these 20 minutes a day for writing and to write those 20 minutes. It doesn’t matter how much you write in those 20 minutes. Sometimes you will write more, sometimes less. Sometimes, 20 minutes of writing will turn into an hour of writing, and that’s great. But don’t set yourself the goal at the start that you will write for two hours every day, or that you will write 3000 words every day, or that you will write 3000 words in 20 minutes. Such goals can be unrealistic, and then discouraging and difficult to achieve.

Setting a realistic goal, such as writing for 20 minutes a day, allows you to feel successful when you meet your goal, which can motivate you to keep going.

> A small notebook or, a mobile phone, or both

Inspiration can “hit” you anytime and anywhere. Always have a small notebook with you to write down your thoughts and ideas. Or write them down on your mobile phone. Or have both, like me, so you write down whatever you get your hands on first;) If you have a few minutes to spare while waiting in line or traveling on public transport, you can also use that time to write. Later, you can develop the written ideas in more detail.

I have 20 minutes, but I don’t know what to write about?!

Great! You arranged your schedule, found 20 minutes in the day to write, but now you are sitting in front of a blank paper or screen and have no idea what to write? Write about anything! It doesn’t even have to be related to your novel. Write whatever comes to your mind. Sometimes you will have an idea, sometimes not.

If you write every day, you will reduce the feeling of pressure on your creativity and that you have to write something fantastic every time. When writing becomes a habit, lack of inspiration will not stop you. In fact, you may start writing without any specific idea, but then your creativity will be released, the words will flow, and you will write much more than you thought or planned.

And if you get really stuck, you can always look for inspiration in Mini writing exercises to unleash your writing potential.

Finally, and most importantly, enjoy writing. Enjoy the process. Don’t look at writing as something you must do but as something you want, as time for yourself. When you’re doing what you love and enjoy, finding those 20 minutes a day for writing and creative expression is easier.