Getting back into the swing of things is making me more aware of how I use my time. For instance, it is a given that I will give 40 hours of my week over to my full time job. This is set in stone. With the exception of sick days, vacations or unforeseen circumstances, these 40 hours are accounted for. Simple.

So how can I get myself into a routine where I devote a set number of hours a week to my writing tasks? I say “routine” because I think that is the key. In order to be able to do anything on a regular basis, it needs to become second nature. For example, every Tuesday, I wake up at 6:30 because I have to be at work at 8. I don’t argue with myself or try to come up with excuses for not doing what needs to be done. I don’t even think about it at all. My brain registers that it’s a Tuesday so I get up and go to work.

Unfortunately, new habits are harder to acquire. Especially those that have deadlines attached to them. I have two choices: I can work at night for a few hours during the week or I could devote a large part of my weekend to my writing responsibilities. Either way, I have to find a method that I can stick to and be consistent with.

So let’s share…If you juggle a “real” job (and by “real” job I am in no way implying that writing is not a job, I just mean that you have another job that pays the bills at the present moment) how do you fit time into your week to write? Do you follow a self-imposed schedule? How many hours a week do you devote to your freelance and/or pet writing projects?