Award-winning writer Bob Hostettler's Best Time Management Secrets & Strategies

Did you ever wonder how best-selling writers make time to get all their writing done? Today, award-winning writer Bob Hostettler shares his best time management secrets & strategies:

“My best technique or strategy is an old one, ancient even: Morning prayer. Praying before I start work organizes my day for me, sets (and sometimes utterly rearranges) my priorities, and saves me from the tendency I have to think and act as if I must accomplish everything alone.

"The other thing that came to mind immediately is this: I use reminders and alerts on my iPhone and computer, but they have not replaced an analog tool that has helped me make the most of my time and efforts: a "bring-up" file (sometimes called a "tickler file") comprised of 43 folders--twelve labeled with the names of the months and the rest numbered 1-31. Every morning I pull out that day's numbered folder, which will contain any paperwork remaining from the previous day (allowing me to start every day with a clean desk, by the way), hotel or airline reservations, birthday cards to send, bills to be paid, and so on. On the first of each month, then, the contents I've been filing away to remember during that month will be divided up into the 31 numbered folders, and the process begins again. It's easily the best mnemonic and time-management tool I've ever used. I rely on it.”

              
Bob Hostetler, award-winning writer, editor, pastor and speaker. His twenty-six books, which include The Bone Box and American Idols, have sold millions of copies. He has co-authored eleven books with Josh McDowell, including the best-selling Right from Wrong and the award-winning Don’t Check Your Brains at The Door. He has won two Gold Medallion awards, three Ohio Associated Press awards, and one Amy Foundation award.

www.bobhostetler.com

--This is an excerpt from my latest book Shock the Clock: Time Management for Writers and Other Creatives. The final chapter is entitled "Ask An Expert," and includes tips and secrets from successful authors, editors and agents, including Bob. 

How do you save time in your busy life? 

Are You a Clutterbug? Here's Help!

cartoon copyright Ron Levellie

Taking care of clutter is a huge time thief. If you’re a clutter-bug who needs help de-junking your environment so you can spend more time enjoying life, try these three steps:

1. Enlist help from a trusted but objective friend who isn’t as attached to your collection of hair bows from elementary school or scratched Elvis records. Spend a day together de-junking everything that fits into these categories:
• It is the wrong style or shape for your body (be realistic and brutal);
• it will cost more to fix it than it’s worth;
• it takes up more space and time than the joy it gives you.
2. Give, give, give to charities, homeless shelters, and thrift stores. Just don’t give it to relatives who are likely to give it back to you, or a second-hand store you frequently shop at.
3. Reward yourself after each room, drawer, or box you’ve cleaned out. But not with more stuff! Read a chapter from a novel, look at cute kitten videos on YouTube, or watch a movie. Then revel in how much time you are freeing to engage in activities you love!

Excerpted from my fourth book, Shock the Clock: Time Management for Writers and Other Creatives 

Award-winning writer Bob Hostettler's Best Time Management Strategies

“My best technique or strategy is an old one, ancient even: Morning prayer. Praying before I start work organizes my day for me, sets (and sometimes utterly rearranges) my priorities, and saves me from the tendency I have to think and act as if I must accomplish everything alone.

"The other thing that came to mind immediately is this: I use reminders and alerts on my iPhone and computer, but they have not replaced an analog tool that has helped me make the most of my time and efforts: a "bring-up" file (sometimes called a "tickler file") comprised of 43 folders--twelve labeled with the names of the months and the rest numbered 1-31. Every morning I pull out that day's numbered folder, which will contain any paperwork remaining from the previous day (allowing me to start every day with a clean desk, by the way), hotel or airline reservations, birthday cards to send, bills to be paid, and so on. On the first of each month, then, the contents I've been filing away to remember during that month will be divided up into the 31 numbered folders, and the process begins again. It's easily the best mnemonic and time-management tool I've ever used. I rely on it.”

              Bob Hostetler, award-winning writer, editor, pastor and speaker. His twenty-six books, which include The Bone Box and American Idols, have sold millions of copies. He has co-authored eleven books with Josh McDowell, including the best-selling Right from Wrong and the award-winning Don’t Check Your Brains at The Door. He has won two Gold Medallion awards, three Ohio Associated Press awards, and one Amy Foundation award.

www.bobhostetler.com

--This is an excerpt from my latest book Shock the Clock: Time Management for Writers and Other Creative, which is on sale for only 99 cents! The final chapter is entitled "Ask An Expert," and includes tips and secrets from successful authors, editors and agents. 

How do you save time in your busy life? 

3 Tips for Managing Your Time at the Busiest Time of the Year

When I scheduled a Facebook Launch party for my new book, Shock the Clock: Time Management for Writers and Other Creatives, I expected to have fun, give away some prizes, and help people with discoveries I've made about managing time.

What surprised me was the ocean of helpful tips I received from those who attended. Here are 3 of the best Tips for Managing Your Time at the Busiest Time of the Year:

1. Start your day with Jesus. If you give the Lord--who is the reason we celebrate Christmas--the first part of your day by talking to Him and reading His Word--He will help you plan your schedule.

2. Do your most dreaded tasks first, and get them out of the way, to free yourself to focus on creative tasks like writing, baking cookies, or visiting Aunt Martha. Some ways we reward ourselves for nasty tasks accomplished are watching a favorite TV show, doing crafts, and getting a massage.

3. Make lists or use planners--paper or online--to keep on task. When you can see your goals and cross them off or delete them as you go, you gain a sense of satisfaction that is a reward in itself.

If you'd like to see the entire list of tips and comments, please pop over to The Shock the Clock Facebook Launch party and see how we helped each other Manage our time at the busiest time of the year!

What is your biggest time challenge at this busy time of year? What are some ways you've found of solving it? 

7 Time Management Tips for the Holidays

If holidays bring you more stress and worry than peace, you might enjoy the following 7 Time Management Tips for the Holidays adapted from my newest book, Shock the Clock: Time Management for Writers and Other Creatives. 

Knowing how creative you are, I believe you'll find at least one tip you can use.  

1.      Break chores into baby steps.  You can wrap three gifts or bake one batch of cookies or address ten cards at a time—there’s no rule that says you must do everything from start to finish in one sitting. Some tasks—like addressing cards—can be combined with watching a Christmas movie or chatting on the phone to Aunt Bernice.

2.      Reward yourself when you finish a less-than-enjoyable task. Drink a cup of eggnog, call a friend, or read a chapter of a Christmas novel.

3.       Ask yourself, “If I had time to do only ONE thing on my list, what would I do?”

4.      Use paper plates, cups, and plastic ware to save time doing dishes. If you explain to guests, “I’d rather spend time with you than to wash dishes, they'll feel complimented. If using Grandma’s china for Christmas dinner is a non-breakable tradition, pay the kids in the family to help you clean up. If you’re short on cash, reward them by letting them have first dibs on dessert. If you wait till clean up is finished before serving dessert, those dishes will get done lickety-split!

5.      Listen to Christmas music while doing housework—it will help it go faster.

6.      Never wait till the last minute—something will always come up to delay your finishing on time. Allow plenty of leeway for interruptions and glitches.

7.      Learn to say “no” without apologizing. Your time, health, and emotional stability are worth more than pleasing every elf in the workshop.

Shock the Clock releases December 14, but you can pre-order it NOW, in time for gift-giving to that special writer or creative in your circle, or even a gift to yourself. And if you'd like to attend my Facebook launch party with tons of fun games and prizes, I'd love to have you!

You're worth it!