Honestly the satisfaction for me is I go in and write what I already did and immediately cross it out -- makes you feel WILDLY productive. Like “I woke up” ... huge “made coffee”.... wow “wrote an email”.... incredible
I loved this. I have an affinity for my planner and I carry it with me like it’s my wallet. Everything I need is in it. This is probably one of my favorite posts so far! I love the guided PDF as well.
Definitely following her
I think planning or just keeping track of things is something that’s hard for the majority of people but this flips the idea around and helps you look at what you did and this can really help improve your daily life and habits.
Thank you for this 😊 it’s great to feel so supported by this platform, and as someone who hopes to be a writer someday, listening to people who are in a place I want to be in someday is so valuable.
I don’t know why hiding my phone and not compromising a set writing time are such earth shattering ideas to me but they are. I’ve recently gotten into Steven Pressfields work around the importance of showing up every day and working on the things you don’t want to work on, and how that leads to breakthroughs, but showing up at the same time each day sounds like it’d really add to that!
It’s so hard when you don’t want to do something. Usually we’re scared it’s going to suck or not work.. but if you get the suck out of the way it helps you progress.
Good luck on your writing journey! What do you write!
Definitely into planners! I think the worst thing is when you actually do the task, and it has taken half of the energy you thought it would - it’s just the getting started that’s the hard part :)
This often happens to me, especially when going to the laundromat. We work things up with dread in our heads and procrastinate (I do). After completing a task, I feel foolish.
Amazing. Thank you for sharing this and tackling how I feel about prioritizations. I have a number of white boards, some lists, and mostly use my brain for remembering though occasionally write it down. I've downloaded the prompt and hope to use it and be inspired by it.
I’ve been really inspired by writers sharing about their successful paywalled content and income. It sounds like it’s happened VERY quickly for them and while I can see why (as they have a successful following elsewhere) I’d be interested in hearing the stats both in numbers and trajectory from a range of small and bigger creators and writers. 🖊✨💫 Thanks Substack for all you do!
I wouldn't say it happened quickly for me but something I did have somewhat of a leg up because I transferred my Patreon over to Substack and took all my paid subscribers with me. But other than that I've had to just post post post and share share share and figure out ways to keep more exciting stuff for a more avid reader behind the paywall.
Love this Hilary! Will check it out. I moved my mailchimp list over here as I was about to start being charged over there and felt great about that. For now I’ve deleted all social media and I’m just showing up to tell folks about Substack and my offers. ✨💫🙌🏻
It definitely not happen very quicky for us. But it has been a steady climb up, a little bit every day or every week. Currently we have 3256 subscribers, and 247 fully paid with 130 comps.
It really depends on marketing skills these days and getting into a group of connections and really just promoting yourself whenever you can. It’s rough to start, but it’s worth the journey if this is what you’re wanting to do.
I get that. Yes I love to write and share and love this platform... at the moment it feels my other work but I’m super interested in a shift across income streams. I have 5 paid subscribers which feels amazing as I didn’t set it up expecting any to start!
ToDoIst is perfect for jotting down ideas for Substack posts while on the move. Combining that with voice dictation would be amazing app feature to help with drafting!
I really love the tone of the comic, and of the prompt. I have a paper planner I have been carefully filling each week, for years, and I have not proven to be really good at planning in advance and beaten myself up a lot for only journaling afterwards... Turned out I was not alone in this. Planning my writing, or studying, or even my appointments has never worked. The only thing that works is the delivery dates for sold products in our business (fortunately)... I will gladly use the prompt to cheer me up, plus I love the style!
Thank you Hilary. We really liked this and at Witch Mound Muse, we subscribed and cross-posted you to our readers. I’m printing your template for my homeschool students to contemplate! Happy New Year!
During the 2 years of limited out in the world activities and work because of COVID,I started a handwritten journal of what I really did daily. I quickly saw that I was accomplishing a lot and had nothing to worry about in terms of being productive. Guilt be gone!
Amazing! Taking the "To Do" list from something dead serious, looming, burdensome to something fun -- pure genius! "Forgive Yourself" -- oh wow. I definitely will get the journal.
Honestly the satisfaction for me is I go in and write what I already did and immediately cross it out -- makes you feel WILDLY productive. Like “I woke up” ... huge “made coffee”.... wow “wrote an email”.... incredible
❤️ Irish breakfast tea for me 🫖
I loved this. I have an affinity for my planner and I carry it with me like it’s my wallet. Everything I need is in it. This is probably one of my favorite posts so far! I love the guided PDF as well.
Definitely following her
I think planning or just keeping track of things is something that’s hard for the majority of people but this flips the idea around and helps you look at what you did and this can really help improve your daily life and habits.
Long live planners! lol
So glad you like the PDF -- the journal is available this coming Tuesday!! You can get it on Amazon or wherever you buy your books :)
I’m so getting one for my husband!!
Oh amazing!! 👏🏻
What is the name of your planner?
It’s titled “What Did I Do Today? A record of stuff you already accomplished”
Long live planners indeed!! 📓
Thank you for this 😊 it’s great to feel so supported by this platform, and as someone who hopes to be a writer someday, listening to people who are in a place I want to be in someday is so valuable.
I don’t know why hiding my phone and not compromising a set writing time are such earth shattering ideas to me but they are. I’ve recently gotten into Steven Pressfields work around the importance of showing up every day and working on the things you don’t want to work on, and how that leads to breakthroughs, but showing up at the same time each day sounds like it’d really add to that!
It’s so hard when you don’t want to do something. Usually we’re scared it’s going to suck or not work.. but if you get the suck out of the way it helps you progress.
Good luck on your writing journey! What do you write!
That's true, but I imagine for most people that are here, they don't think writing sucks very often, and know how to handle it when it does.
I have tried a lot of things but have landed on short stories for the most part recently! Making things up is pretty fun.
Awesome! Sounds like you get it. You’ve got to treat writing like a job. But a joyous job you’re passionate about!
Let our plan A's fail and see how far into the alphabet we can go this year
We can A B C what happens
I love the letter M so let’s see how long it takes to get there
I needed this. Love the “what I keep putting off” section too - I often need to be forced into accountability!
Even us who use our planners need a section like this Lolol
Mine would say “buying materials” because gosh that’s going to be a big bill for something that HAS to get done
Definitely into planners! I think the worst thing is when you actually do the task, and it has taken half of the energy you thought it would - it’s just the getting started that’s the hard part :)
That happens to me CONSTANTLY
You’re completely right! After you’re done it’s like “oh that wasn’t bad at all”
The impending feeling of needing to do something is so stressful and it’s my goal to stop doing that to myself
This often happens to me, especially when going to the laundromat. We work things up with dread in our heads and procrastinate (I do). After completing a task, I feel foolish.
I guess it’s a comfort that it’s a universal feeling at least!
Amazing. Thank you for sharing this and tackling how I feel about prioritizations. I have a number of white boards, some lists, and mostly use my brain for remembering though occasionally write it down. I've downloaded the prompt and hope to use it and be inspired by it.
❤️
I’ve been really inspired by writers sharing about their successful paywalled content and income. It sounds like it’s happened VERY quickly for them and while I can see why (as they have a successful following elsewhere) I’d be interested in hearing the stats both in numbers and trajectory from a range of small and bigger creators and writers. 🖊✨💫 Thanks Substack for all you do!
I wouldn't say it happened quickly for me but something I did have somewhat of a leg up because I transferred my Patreon over to Substack and took all my paid subscribers with me. But other than that I've had to just post post post and share share share and figure out ways to keep more exciting stuff for a more avid reader behind the paywall.
Love this Hilary! Will check it out. I moved my mailchimp list over here as I was about to start being charged over there and felt great about that. For now I’ve deleted all social media and I’m just showing up to tell folks about Substack and my offers. ✨💫🙌🏻
It definitely not happen very quicky for us. But it has been a steady climb up, a little bit every day or every week. Currently we have 3256 subscribers, and 247 fully paid with 130 comps.
👏🏻 that’s amazing to hear and well done!
Thanks. Slow and steady!
It really depends on marketing skills these days and getting into a group of connections and really just promoting yourself whenever you can. It’s rough to start, but it’s worth the journey if this is what you’re wanting to do.
You're 100% right about it needing marketing skills, networking, and promoting yourself -- -pretty much like any other business.
I get that. Yes I love to write and share and love this platform... at the moment it feels my other work but I’m super interested in a shift across income streams. I have 5 paid subscribers which feels amazing as I didn’t set it up expecting any to start!
ToDoIst is perfect for jotting down ideas for Substack posts while on the move. Combining that with voice dictation would be amazing app feature to help with drafting!
I really love the tone of the comic, and of the prompt. I have a paper planner I have been carefully filling each week, for years, and I have not proven to be really good at planning in advance and beaten myself up a lot for only journaling afterwards... Turned out I was not alone in this. Planning my writing, or studying, or even my appointments has never worked. The only thing that works is the delivery dates for sold products in our business (fortunately)... I will gladly use the prompt to cheer me up, plus I love the style!
I need to get a planner!
Yes, planners are great, and the larger the better! Mine is handmade in Alberta (Canada) and letter size, with removable pages. Ma-gi-cal!
LOVE THIS. You are SO BRILLIANT Hillary. Can we please pick up on arranging a zoom call? I'd love to feature you in one of my posts on Substack.
of course!
Thank you Hilary. We really liked this and at Witch Mound Muse, we subscribed and cross-posted you to our readers. I’m printing your template for my homeschool students to contemplate! Happy New Year!
You’re so kind! Thank you!!!!
During the 2 years of limited out in the world activities and work because of COVID,I started a handwritten journal of what I really did daily. I quickly saw that I was accomplishing a lot and had nothing to worry about in terms of being productive. Guilt be gone!
That’s EXACTLY what k did!
Awesome 👏 ❤️❤️🔥
I consider "dragging myself to my laptop" a success, "actually starting to type" a triumph, and "publishing something" a celebration!
🥳
Love the cartoon layout!
Outstanding advice and helpful little action jogger! Have a great day - and get "something" done! Hehe.
Amazing! Taking the "To Do" list from something dead serious, looming, burdensome to something fun -- pure genius! "Forgive Yourself" -- oh wow. I definitely will get the journal.