I’ve seen so many different productivity methods discussed over the years: The Pomodoro Technique, GTD (Getting Things Done), The Action Method. And then there are hosts of articles about different productivity styles. As for myself, I use a very simple Evernote list method that requires no explanation other than: It’s a to-do list organized by date.
Over at Glimmer Train, Melanie Bishop shares a method that works for her that I admire for its directness and mindfulness: For every 45 minutes that you write, do 15 minutes of something else. But there’s one catch:
The something else should not be word-related, should not involve the internet or checking your email, for instance. It should be something mindless, a task you can do while having the page with which you just parted ways still present in your head.
She calls this the Sussman method, after an article by a writer of the same name. Bishop goes on to discuss how the method has worked for her, and the importance of camaraderie during the writing process—even camaraderie at a distance.
For more from Glimmer Train this month, see:
- 24 Rules for Writing by S.P. MacIntyre
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6 Comments on "The Sussman Productivity Method"
[…] For every 45 minutes that you write, do 15 minutes of something else. But there's one catch. […]
I talked about this process in my book Write-A-Thon (WD, 2011), encouraging writers to break up writing sessions with time doing repetitive actions (like washing dishes or walking). The technique is also written about in the book. The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz.
I absolutely love this idea. My writing group has been floundering lately–bogged down with chatter–so I’m going to propose this activity for the next meeting. Thanks for the post!
[…] The Sussman Productivity Method […]
Or, as Agatha Christie famously opined: ‘The best time to plan a book is while you’re doing the dishes.’
Really interesting. I write in 52 minute blocks, with 17 minute breaks in between. It’s a similar idea – and the importance of stepping away from the computer and focusing your eyes elsewhere cannot be overstated. Your break has to be a real break! Thanks for posting this interesting article.