How to Maintain Momentum after the Retreat
Congratulations on finishing WriteOut!. How you can you continue the habits that allowed you to get so much work done?
1. REPLICATE THE CONDITIONS THAT HELP YOU WORK
Light? Space? Temperature? Noise? Community? Food? Identify what made the retreat such a great place to write.
Then find or make a space and routine that mimics it as closely as possible. For reminders about what works, see Me Too!
2. REPRODUCE YOUR WRITING PLAN
If you can't return to WriteOut! before the next semester, make your own plan.
3. RESERVE TIME FOR WRITING
After you've figured out how much time you can devote to writing each week, block off the time in your calendar, and treat it as an appointment that can't be broken--just like you do with class, or a meeting with your advisor.
4. GET SOME SUPPORT
Research shows that you're more likely to write if you have some form of support and accountability. Consider starting or joining one of these writing groups to get the support you need.
5. REWARD YOURSELF
Need we say anything else? All work and no play doesn’t just make you dull,
it wears you out so you can’t keep working. For fun try PhD Comics.
6. REVISE YOUR PLAN
It's not a failure when your plan changes, it's just life. When things come up,
reset your deadlines and work times and keep moving.
Light? Space? Temperature? Noise? Community? Food? Identify what made the retreat such a great place to write.
Then find or make a space and routine that mimics it as closely as possible. For reminders about what works, see Me Too!
2. REPRODUCE YOUR WRITING PLAN
If you can't return to WriteOut! before the next semester, make your own plan.
3. RESERVE TIME FOR WRITING
After you've figured out how much time you can devote to writing each week, block off the time in your calendar, and treat it as an appointment that can't be broken--just like you do with class, or a meeting with your advisor.
4. GET SOME SUPPORT
Research shows that you're more likely to write if you have some form of support and accountability. Consider starting or joining one of these writing groups to get the support you need.
5. REWARD YOURSELF
Need we say anything else? All work and no play doesn’t just make you dull,
it wears you out so you can’t keep working. For fun try PhD Comics.
6. REVISE YOUR PLAN
It's not a failure when your plan changes, it's just life. When things come up,
reset your deadlines and work times and keep moving.