Key Insights Gained During Book Writing Process
In the world of writing and entrepreneurship, finding a balance between creative pursuits and business responsibilities can be a challenging task. Stephanie O'Brien, author of the latest humorous novel "Catgirl Roommate" about cats (or humans with cat-like characteristics), shares her insights on effective time management.
O'Brien re-edited her novel, improving several key scenes, adding an extra layer of depth to one character, and creating a better book overall. She managed to find time for final edits by multitasking during activities like flossing and brushing teeth.
For writers running multiple businesses, managing time effectively is crucial. O'Brien advises prioritizing tasks ruthlessly, using structured techniques like time blocking and the Eisenhower Matrix, delegating non-essential tasks, and setting focused daily themes aligned with their most important goals.
The Eisenhower Decision Matrix is a key tool in this approach, sorting tasks into urgent/important, important/not urgent, urgent/not important (to delegate), and neither (to drop). By focusing on high-impact activities aligned with business goals, writers can balance creative work with business responsibilities and reduce overload.
Delegating tasks that don’t require unique expertise to trusted team members frees time for writing and key business decisions. Time blocking helps schedule dedicated blocks for deep writing or business activities, minimizing multitasking and distractions.
Setting tight, artificial deadlines (time-boxing) boosts urgency and productivity, ensuring tasks don’t drag on unnecessarily. Applying daily themes—assigning specific types of work to certain days—reduces decision fatigue and creates rhythm.
Working backward from desired outcomes helps avoid busywork and focus on results. Incorporating buffer time ensures the schedule remains realistic and flexible. Regularly reviewing and reassessing goals and strategies (at least monthly) adapts the approach based on what’s most effective in balancing writing and business needs.
Developing a manageable task tracking system that integrates priorities and regular appointments keeps all tasks visible and on track. Combining structure (planning, prioritizing) with flexibility (delegation, buffer days) sustains both creative and operational success.
O'Brien learned a valuable lesson about the importance of backing up files after losing the first two rounds of editing due to failing to back up the files. When encountering setbacks, she encourages asking oneself, "What is the opportunity in this? Can I do it again, better than the first time?"
Remember, you are not obligated to add extra activities to an already full schedule. You have time for the things you set aside time for. Small bits of time can be utilized more effectively for desired activities. Prioritizing other activities over desired activities can be changed to make room for the desired activities.
Your time belongs to you, and you have control over how much time you sell or give away. If someone asks for more than you can handle, you have the option to postpone lower-priority activities. Obligations can be self-created, and people do not need things as quickly as you might think.
For those interested in connecting with O'Brien, her website, Facebook, and Twitter handles are provided. "Catgirl Roommate" is now available for readers who enjoy laughing and rolling their eyes at cat-related antics.
- Stephanie O'Brien, author of the humorous book "Catgirl Roommate," suggests writers running multiple businesses should prioritize tasks ruthlessly and delegate non-essential ones to free time for creative work and key business decisions.
- For fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts who also have a love for literature, "Catgirl Roommate" might just be the entertaining read they are looking for, available now.
- To maintain a balance between creative work and lifestyle, O'Brien advises using tools like the Eisenhower Decision Matrix, time blocking, and daily themes, while also remembering the importance of taking breaks and scheduling buffer days.
