What a "real" day looks like

So lately I've been switching up my routine to include full writing days. If you didn't know it, I'm writing a novel... Or two… and also working to build a community on Substack.

And well… Yesterday was meant to be a full writing day and I was so excited to wake up and write. But then I sat down and stared blankly at my computer wondering where the hell do I start?!?!

I freaked out a bit and was like where's my boss? Where's my teacher? What do I have to do to actually be a writer?

And then I had a flashback to this same feeling… One I remember all too well… The same feeling as when we started Boring Studios. And all it is, is a lack of clarity and direction.

When you start a venture on your own; whether it be starting a business or starting out on a creative career path, you have no idea what to do. It's normal.

All you need is a plan, a routine and some structure. Maybe you were here for After Hours 005 where we spoke about routine or maybe you read Boring Issues where routine has been discussed many times over the years.

So let's simplify it. Instead of building a full routine, let's explore how to structure your day for efficiency.

And look… this After Hours is just as much for me as it is for you so let's get into it.

Structuring your work days for success

What kind of problem is this?

Structuring your day is a clarity, direction and momentum problem.

It's a Clarity problem because you could be structuring your day completely wrong and that's why you're getting nothing done. You just need to know how and figure out what works for you.

And then Direction + Momentum because, you need something to follow and without structure or a plan in your day... you're quite literally fucked.

Why do you need structure?

You might think structure in your day is going to ruin your creativity or make your life rigid. But in fact, it is the opposite.

Imagine just waking up and knowing exactly what's going on with your day. No need for decisions like what do I do? What's next?

It's just straight into your work without any brain scrambling, decisions or lost little lambs.

Honestly, it's freeing and gives your brain the space to breathe, create and do great work.

There's also no one size fits all... some people time-block and for me that doesn't work. And some people (like Eden) have their peak hours straight when they wake up... also not me.

So if my way doesn't work for you, that's fine too.
Just find what works for you but don't do nothing.

How to structure your day?

Step one: Plan before
Always plan the night/day/week before.

I like to plan my weeks so I usually do this on a Saturday or Sunday. But I also know things come up and maybe we only know day-to-day what needs to be done, so planning the day before is also fine.

Step two: Be realistic
Sometimes we put down a full 8-9 hours of work and I don't know about you, but my brain doesn't work for 9 hours a day. You're probably not doing your best work and just wasting time.

So, don't take social media or life admin or long breaks and get 5 hours of real work done a day. I put my phone in another room and eat before I sit down.

Do what you need to do to get your work done and then clock-off and enjoy your afternoons, mornings or early evenings instead.

Step three: Structure

Most important work first (usually mornings):

• This is one to three things maximum per day
• Your hardest, most important work which could include writing, creating, marketing, designing
• Not the tedious stuff but the hardest, biggest task -- and it's not always the longest task

Less brain power work (usually afternoons):

• Admin, emails, editing, calls etc.
• Batch these together each day; the boring or quick little tasks
• Don't switch the two, you'll kill your productivity.

Step four: Plan your day for tomorrow

• Write down any notes of what you need to do or where you need to pick back up
• Don't leave thoughts wandering, you won't switch off
• Protect your rest time just as much as work time, so you're ready to work when it is work time.

Bonus: time block. I don't do this but I have in the past and it's been productive. Now I do morning block and afternoon block.

Another version of structure that works for studying, research or writing. Maybe not so good for business/freelancing. Depending on you. Choose 3 hour block or six hour block.

• 1-2 hours: Revision or re-read from yesterday
• 1-2 hours: Volume work like writing
• 1-2 hours: Reviewing

In short; deep work or most important task of the day when you're feeling energised and less brain power work batched together when you're starting to decline on energy.

Realistically the structure that works is the one that you stick to.
But any kind of structure helps, just don't overcomplicate it.

Hope you got some clarity for how to structure your work. I did.

See you next week,
Penelope
Co-Founder of Boring Studios, Writing