Making time for your passion project.

From removing distractions to breaking down tasks into manageable parts, here's how to make time for what you love.

I am writing this in the hopes that it will help me organize my thoughts and carve out some time from my schedule to work on my passion project.

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to let your passion project fall by the wayside amid the demands of work, school, and family. As someone who's been working on editing a novel, I understand how challenging it can be to find consistent time to make progress. To help myself, I've created a list of guidelines that may also be helpful for anyone facing similar struggles.

Minimizing distractions.

Distractions are the biggest productivity killers, and I often find myself browsing the internet, watching TV, or checking social media instead of working on my passion project. To avoid these distractions, it's crucial to set aside a specific time for work and remove potential interruptions by putting your phone in another room or setting them to "Focus mode."

Establishing a daily routine.

Consistency is key when it comes to working on your passion project. Skipping a single day of work can derail the entire schedule, so committing to working on it every day is essential. Developing a daily routine will make it easier to stay on track and establish good habits, which eventually will become second nature.

Reframing the project as a privilege.

It's easy to get bogged down with the idea that working on your passion project is just another chore on your to-do list. To help overcome this, try changing your perspective and viewing it as a privilege rather than a task. By reframing your mindset, you can make the project feel more enjoyable, and it will be something to look forward to instead of dreading it.

Divide your project into smaller tasks.

Breaking down your passion project into smaller, manageable tasks is an effective way to stay motivated and focused. Rather than trying to tackle the project as a whole, try to divide it into smaller, more achievable steps. This approach allows you to track your progress and feel a sense of accomplishment every time you complete a task. By taking small steps, you can build momentum and make steady progress toward achieving your ultimate goal. Additionally, completing smaller tasks can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and discouraged by the amount of work that lies ahead.

Establishing a Routine that Suits You.

Each person has their own preferences and work styles. Finding what works best for you and your schedule is crucial to achieving success. Whether you prefer to work late at night or early in the morning, or you can only work at certain times due to other commitments, experiment and discover your optimal schedule. Once you've found it, stick to it.

Creating an Optimal Creative Space.

It's important to have a dedicated space where you feel comfortable and inspired to create. A space free of distractions and external disturbances is ideal, but not everyone has access to a studio or an office. Work with the resources you have and make the most of them. Before starting work, ensure that you've set the mood and created an atmosphere that's conducive to your creativity.

I’d love to hear your best practices for making time for your passion project!

Share them in the comments.

Thanks for reading!

-Nathan