Discover your writing preferences and how you can make the most of your time to write. Plus, time-based links & recommended reads from the BBC, Chris Guillebeau, Oliver Burkeman & Jenny Odell.
I am spontaneous, but I think that is due to circumstance, not preference. Given a schedule that did not involve a 40 hour work week that does not include writing I think I would lean toward the "blocks" method, but I am glad that I can adopt to small bits of time. I think it of it like when you have a new baby and they finally go nap- do something you can only do when the baby naps. Have 30 min? Go write.
Emma you are right - the quiz can only ever give a snapshot. But I hope doing it helped you consider what writing could look like and give you some ideas for small experiments to run. Time blocking can so helpful, but you need a certain kind of life and routine to make it work. Good luck.
So I'm spontaneous!! Which is no great surprise... although I think I cross between all of them at different times. It's so interesting though and has really made me think about the way I approach the big writing tasks... Interestingly I find I am so busy that it kind of prohibits planning weeks in advance as I have so many unexpected interruptions and pop-ups to manage, so perhaps there is another category out there! I feel like I also 'binge' but not in a very forward planned way, more in the 'ok, there are no immediate crises to manage, I'm going to clear the decks and go for it!'. Great tool for some self reflection x
I love that you are spontaneous and that sometimes you are gifted super long opportunities to go deep and binge write. I think there is a diagram in here somewhere? It will look something like a flower, with the writing types as overlapping petals.
Thanks for this little quiz. It was a good excuse to evaluate my writing-habit status quo. I'm a self-imposed Daily Doer, though my proclivities & personality would have me be a Binge Writer. I think the quiz suffers from one of the same problems as most "personality quizzes," in that it can't account for desire and forced behaviors. Like I absolutely have learned to "write anywhere, any time," because I literally won't otherwise, since I'm too busy. Having "weeks in advance" to plan doesn't help, since my "busy" isn't due to long-term projects and more due to the unpredictable responsibilities of homeownership and parenthood. I would much prefer to have a sabbatical or holiday to plan every new project but that's not remotely feasible, so instead it happens on scraps of paper at my day-job desk or notes on my phone before bed. Unsurprisingly, then, I'm a "Daily Doer" because I rely on the small bits every day, but my best work has always been done in long stretches of immersed, deep work. But such work is literally impossible in my life. C'est la vie.
Don't mean to complain! I liked this post and appreciate B&B :)
Thank you for taking the quiz as using it as a tool for evaluation - we said it was for fun, but you nailed the real purpose: getting people to reflect on how they find time and whether that serves them.
You are also right about the problem with personality quizzes - all they can do is offer a snapshot of where we are now. There is a big difference between being categorised as a daily writer when actually what you crave are long, deep writing sessions. That's where long-term behaviour change comes in - which probably isn't the subject for a quick quiz.
With my coaching hat on, I'd say that though this is a frustrating situation you have a clear idea of where you want to get to - it might not be feasible at the moment, but working towards that as a goal can start now. Good luck and thank you so much for sharing these insights - so helpful.
I am spontaneous, but I think that is due to circumstance, not preference. Given a schedule that did not involve a 40 hour work week that does not include writing I think I would lean toward the "blocks" method, but I am glad that I can adopt to small bits of time. I think it of it like when you have a new baby and they finally go nap- do something you can only do when the baby naps. Have 30 min? Go write.
Emma you are right - the quiz can only ever give a snapshot. But I hope doing it helped you consider what writing could look like and give you some ideas for small experiments to run. Time blocking can so helpful, but you need a certain kind of life and routine to make it work. Good luck.
So I'm spontaneous!! Which is no great surprise... although I think I cross between all of them at different times. It's so interesting though and has really made me think about the way I approach the big writing tasks... Interestingly I find I am so busy that it kind of prohibits planning weeks in advance as I have so many unexpected interruptions and pop-ups to manage, so perhaps there is another category out there! I feel like I also 'binge' but not in a very forward planned way, more in the 'ok, there are no immediate crises to manage, I'm going to clear the decks and go for it!'. Great tool for some self reflection x
Thanks for taking the quiz Emma :) I think you can be all four! There may even be a fifth I'm not sure, 'plate spinner' maybe! 😂
I love that you are spontaneous and that sometimes you are gifted super long opportunities to go deep and binge write. I think there is a diagram in here somewhere? It will look something like a flower, with the writing types as overlapping petals.
Thanks for this little quiz. It was a good excuse to evaluate my writing-habit status quo. I'm a self-imposed Daily Doer, though my proclivities & personality would have me be a Binge Writer. I think the quiz suffers from one of the same problems as most "personality quizzes," in that it can't account for desire and forced behaviors. Like I absolutely have learned to "write anywhere, any time," because I literally won't otherwise, since I'm too busy. Having "weeks in advance" to plan doesn't help, since my "busy" isn't due to long-term projects and more due to the unpredictable responsibilities of homeownership and parenthood. I would much prefer to have a sabbatical or holiday to plan every new project but that's not remotely feasible, so instead it happens on scraps of paper at my day-job desk or notes on my phone before bed. Unsurprisingly, then, I'm a "Daily Doer" because I rely on the small bits every day, but my best work has always been done in long stretches of immersed, deep work. But such work is literally impossible in my life. C'est la vie.
Don't mean to complain! I liked this post and appreciate B&B :)
Thank you for taking the quiz as using it as a tool for evaluation - we said it was for fun, but you nailed the real purpose: getting people to reflect on how they find time and whether that serves them.
You are also right about the problem with personality quizzes - all they can do is offer a snapshot of where we are now. There is a big difference between being categorised as a daily writer when actually what you crave are long, deep writing sessions. That's where long-term behaviour change comes in - which probably isn't the subject for a quick quiz.
With my coaching hat on, I'd say that though this is a frustrating situation you have a clear idea of where you want to get to - it might not be feasible at the moment, but working towards that as a goal can start now. Good luck and thank you so much for sharing these insights - so helpful.