If you are going to get the book that is inside of you – out, you will need to develop certain habits to not only capture the thoughts and ideas that you have, but also to set aside regular time to get these streams of consciousness onto paper (or computer!) which will eventually form your book.

Managing yourself can be quite tricky – especially as “we” know ourselves very well!  We have all our information filed in our brains and sometimes don’t feel we need to commit them to paper – we’ll ‘remember’ all these great ideas, but this often doesn’t happen.

As a writer, you need to ensure that you get your ideas and random thoughts down, so that you make room for more ideas to come in.  As Einstein once said – “I never bother to remember anything I can look up” – great philosophy for keeping a clear mind but remember that as an author – your ideas are original and cannot be looked up!

So to avoid ‘cranial overload’, consider the easy to implement advice below…

1. Use a Diary
Procrastination paralyses many people and getting started is the hardest part of many tasks. When words are committed to paper a magical thing occurs, the event actually happens!  Use your diary to keep a record of tasks ‘to do’, appointments and even schedule in your personal time such as a regular swim or massage so you have a life as well as work.  It may take willpower to stick with your diary but it will help clear up some head space!  My diary is a beautiful Italian leather organiser in cherry red. It’s so soft and tactile I have to carry it everywhere.  Having such an attractive accessory makes it easy for me to want to use it, so use whatever turns you on – a PDA, personal organiser, beaded notebook, your Blackberry, anything that excites you to organise yourself!

2. List Your life
Your ‘To Do’ list is your best friend.  Keep a record of your tasks, crossing them off as they are done.  You get the satisfaction of seeing a list of ‘jobs done’ at the end of the day and a list will help you prioritise your day.  If you take this list with you everywhere you go, idle time need never be wasted because you can spend it doing odd jobs, such as making calls.

3. Formalise Your Thoughts
As a writer you need somewhere to store your ideas – whether they be book concepts, bits to add in to your existing chapters or just certain words you like the sound of!  I keep a notebook by my bed because I often get ideas whilst I’m trying to nod off plus I have a Dictaphone in the car so I can record thoughts whilst I’m driving! My brain seems to get more creative when it is relaxed!  Have a special place to record your ideas – a notebook or a file on your computer but add to it whenever you get a brainwave as this could form a concept in your next book!

4. Avoid Interruption
When you are sitting down to write the last thing you need when you are getting into the flow is an unexpected visitor or a ringing phone!  Interruptions like this can be a real time stealer, eating into your day and preventing you from getting fully immersed in the job at hand.  Divert your calls to a telephone answering service and turn off your email so you aren’t distracted by the ‘new mail’ icon.  Be firm with visitors and plan time to see them when your writing time for the day is done.  Prioritise your writing and you’ll soon get into the habit of doing a bit regularly.

5. Don’t Say “Yes” To Everything
Meetings can drain your time (and energy) if you’re not careful.  Other people can take advantage if they know you always try to be compliant.  Only attend meetings you really need to be at, and politely decline others.  Learn how to be ruthless when people make demands on your time.  Ask yourself; will doing this task get me nearer to completing my book?  If it will, do it, if not – don’t.

Poor self management can destroy your dreams of becoming a published author.  To have a best-selling book, you have to get on and write it first – no one will do it for you!   If you have too much to handle, streamline your life a bit to make room for this ambition and remember what you are working so hard for.  It’ll all be worth it when you are selling on Amazon!