Comments on: On Efficiency, Or How To Get Everything Done As A Multi-Tasking Writer

By: How To Get Everything Done? « Nina Harrington: Harlequin Mills and Boon Romance Author

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:37:21 +0000

[...] at the Creative Penn, there is a great post on the diversity of tasks any author working in 2009 has to deal with- and I [...]

By: Steve Griffin

Steve Griffin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:54:48 +0000

We have a TV, but I do everything in my power to not look it in the eye…I purposely had no cable outlet ran to my home office when we built our house so I could just close the door and shut out the temptation of watching the tube. I agree with many of the other replies…tv is the worlds worst time-suck. Thanks for the post…enjoyed it.

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:58:29 +0000

I’m a scheduler. My blog is written between 7:30 and 8:00 am. I start work at 9 am. Break at noon. Write until 3. Work on marketing or other blog work until 5.

If I didn’t, I’d be a mess.

By: DAY 7 of TAP! « The Raven’s Eye

DAY 7 of TAP! « The Raven’s Eye — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:32:59 +0000

[...] http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2009/07/27/on-efficiency-or-how-to-get-everything-done-as-a-multi-tas... [...]

By: Natalie Allan

Natalie Allan — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 14:42:22 +0000

Really wish I could multi-task. I find it completely impossibly. I only have a one track mind. LOL!

I’m envious. But I’ll put some of your tips to good use. Thanks very much!

By: Sunday Wash-Up 2nd August « Shack's Comings and Goings

Sunday Wash-Up 2nd August « Shack's Comings and Goings — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 22:04:08 +0000

[...] On Efficiency, Or How To Get Everything Done As A Multi-Tasking Writer Joanna Penn explains how she fits an eighty hour week into a 40 hour slot, (my words not hers). Somehow she makes it seem so simple. [...]

By: Andy Shackcloth

Andy Shackcloth — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:50:21 +0000

Still having trouble accepting it.

You definitely put out 36 hours output from every 18 hour day.

Related to a time lord perhaps?

I relate heavily with the batch and schedule your work item. Setting goals and deadlines, is normally a strong enough action to protect against distraction and procrastination.

By: Pär

Pär — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:46:50 +0000

TV is the a total time suck; so much better to download content and choose when you want to watch. Makes one more discriminating, too.

Totally agree with your points.

By: Rebecca Laffar-Smith

Rebecca Laffar-Smith — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:38:00 +0000

Fantastic tips, Joanna!

I got rid of my T.V. over a year ago and have never looked back. Like you, I download anything I want to watch and love having the freedom to fit my viewing into MY schedule and not the broadcasters. But, there are other time wasters like television that I’ve not had quite so much success cutting out. Video games, for example, seem to keep pulling me back in. Must break free! But since computer is required for work, the games are just that bit too easy to reach without a great deal of will power. Not having a T.V. makes giving into that temptation impossible.

Outsourcing is one of my biggest raves lately. I’m a firm believer in doing only what you love or do well. Anything I don’t enjoy doing will take me a long time to do and I’ll feel miserable doing it. It is more cost effective to hire others to do those jobs and spend my time doing what I love. Time is a valuable commodity and so many people spend it doing things that aren’t cost effective. Outsourcing is a way out of that trap.

Thanks for sharing your tips! I love reading how other writers work around the increasing demands of business to get more out of every day.

By: Jeffrey Tang

Jeffrey Tang — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:37:42 +0000

I love tip number 4. I’ve always been a big believer in doing what you love – what good is money if you’re constantly miserable? Better to make a little less in salary and gain a lot more in happiness. Not to mention – when you do something you really enjoy, you’re probably going to be more productive and find more success anyway.

Also wanted to say that I definitely identify with the first paragraph in your post. When you’re in small business or out on your own, there’s always a lot of work to be done!