Here are 25 ways that anyone, but especially writers, can save time and get more done.

1. 25 Tips
for Saving Time &
Getting More Done.
John D. Barry
The Writer’s Edition

2. An hour spent
planning can save
you four hours
of work.
#1

3. Outlines will
change your life.
They give you
clear direction.
#2

4. Make notes to come
back to things later.
Have a simple system for doing so.
I use yellow highlighting in Word and ALL CAPS.
#3

5. Write your first draft
like you don’t care
what anyone else
thinks. Get it on paper
and revise later.
#4

6. Keep an envelope or
notebook for random
notes for later,
as ideas come to you
during the day.
#5

7. Prioritize the work
you have ahead of
you, and decide what
you’re going to do
when.
#6

8. Set a schedule for
yourself and commit
to it like your life
depends on it.
Literally, put it
on a calendar.
#7

9. Find ways to hit
reset, so you can be
more productive while
you’re working.
#8

10. Don’t let the white blank page win. Just start writing. If you
delete it later, that’s okay. It’s better than nothing. #9

11. Just buy your own copy
so you can do so.
#10
Write in books.

12. Keep a physical notebook
in addition to digital
notes, so that you can
scribble fast and resist
writing too much.
#11

13. Don’t do all the
research first.
You will kill original thoughts in the process.
Write now, and research later.
Meaning: Only work with primary texts in the beginning—
secondary literature later.
#12

14. Have a place for
everything on your
desk, so your visual space
is clear.
#13

15. Try a rhythm like
outlining in the morning
and writing in the
evenings. Make your
project part of your
life cycle.
#14

16. Set a word count and
scope goal for each day
you write, and then get
to work to hit it.
#15

17. Don’t hold out for
the epiphany.
Just keep going and it
will come.
#16

18. If there is a “quote” that
motivates you, or
stimulates your thoughts
regularly, put it on your
wall, above where
you write.
Ditto for art.
#17

19. Don’t allow for yourself
to just take a break.
Instead, set a time for
when you will do so.
#18

20. Take a vacation day every
once in a while
to just get things done.
#19

21. Don’t react to what you
think people will say; write
first and see how
they respond
before adjusting.
#20

22. Read your work aloud to
someone else regularly. It
will help you see
the gaps.
#21

23. Speak aloud while you
write. It often helps.
Try standing
sometimes too.
#22

24. Always edit your work on
paper, not on screen.
This forces you
to think differently.
And proofread later.
#23

25. Save a back-
up, please—this is just
practical.
#24

26. Make sure you’re in it
for the right reasons or
you will
never finish.
#25

27. Go get more done. Do something incredible.
These 25 tips were written by
John D. Barry
About.me/JohnDBarry