You're struggling to manage research and writing time. How can you find the right balance?

If you’re hitting a wall with research, switch to writing for a bit, even if it's just jotting down ideas or outlining. This can help you process the information and come back to research with a fresh perspective. Don’t forget to use any downtime wisely—like brainstorming while you’re on a walk or listening to relevant podcasts when you can’t be at your desk. And it’s okay to ask for help, too! Sometimes talking through your ideas with someone else can spark new insights.

Sometimes leaving everything on your desk and going for a 20 - 30 minute walk can clear your head and allow you to select what needs to be addressed first. When you return from the walk, digging right in can get everything done that earlier seemed impossible and overwhelming.

To strike the right balance between research and writing, prioritisation is critical. Start with small tasks, like doing the dishes, drying them, and stacking them back in the cupboard. At this point, it’s tempting to reorganise the cupboard. Resist. Not yet. First, laundry, the litter box (or a dog walk, if you’re of the canine persuasion), and changing the bed sheets. You’ll notice you’ll be humming the Homes Under The Hammer theme song. Most people would take this as their cue to watch an episode. You’re not most people, so you’ll LEARN TO PLAY THE TUNE on your instrument of choice. By now, you’re 5 hours away from the deadline. Time to panic and get it done. It’s amazing how quickly the pressure can get you going.

Instead of traditional linear note-taking, visualize your ideas using mind maps. This helps you see connections and relationships between different concepts, making it easier to identify gaps in your research and streamline your writing process.

By setting clear goals and deadlines for each project, writers can stay on track and avoid last-minute rushes. Creating a schedule that includes dedicated time for both research and writing can help maintain a balanced workflow. Identifying peak productive hours when creativity flows easily can maximize output during those times.

Deadlines are like a sword hanging over your neck that will get you going. A strategy I would suggest is to set yourself a deadline stricter than the actual deadline but still realistic and relax it accordingly. For example, if you are given a deadline of 14 days, set yourself a deadline of 8 days and put in as much work as you can. If you can finish your work within 8 days, great job! If you feel your work won't be done within 8 days, add another day to your deadline, so that by the 13th day, you have your task complete. Remember, it is always better to hustle first and relax later, rather than relax first and hustle later!!

I recommend assigning specific timeframes for each phase, even if they’re self-imposed. This approach has helped me maintain momentum and avoid getting stuck in the research phase. Clear deadlines keep you accountable and ensure that both research and writing progress in tandem.

Un aspecto que considero importante tener en cuenta es el género y la finalidad del escrito que vamos a realizar. La fase de investigación tiene un peso distinto, dependiendo de la naturaleza de nuestra publicación y estoy de acuerdo en que, luego de priorizar tareas, que es la base de todo proceso de planificación, pasamos a la fase de investigación, acopio y selección de información principal y luego, pasamos a reservar la complementaria, que podemos aprovechar para hacer ejemplos o ampliar detalles sobre un aspecto en particular. Con esta base de organización y selección de la información me ha sido más fácil pasar a la fase de creatividad, redactando la primera línea del infinito.

As a storyteller, I've found that deadlines can act as the narrative arc of your work—offering structure, direction, and momentum. Just like a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end, setting realistic deadlines for each phase helps keep your progress on track. Breaking a project into smaller tasks is like outlining chapters in a story, with each task contributing to the larger narrative. Assigning deadlines to these tasks creates milestones that ensure your work unfolds at the right pace. However, flexibility is key. Deadlines should motivate, not constrain. Adjust them as needed to maintain momentum while allowing creativity to flourish.

Never be under the impression that you will be productive throughout the day! No one can! The best way to be productive is to divide your time. One really useful trick I came across was the Pomodorno technique. The technique basically is to divide your time into blocks of 30 minutes, where you work for 25 minutes and take a rest for 5 minutes before resuming work. This goes for about 3-4 cycles and then you take a 15 minute break. There are various other techniques for time management and time division. Try them out and go with what works best for you. However, remember to balance your work with adequate breaks. Remember, work-life balance matters!!

This starts with setting goals: how much time should you spend researching versus writing? Create blocks of time for researching and writing that do not overlap. Prioritize your tasks by deadlines and level of difficulty, and use tools that help you focus, like a timer or a productivity application. Then, make small steps out of big tasks and check the progress regularly. Taking breaks, setting limits, and maintaining a balance between research and writing will help in avoiding burnout and maintaining productivity.

I completely agree with the benefits of time-blocking for productivity and preventing burnout. One thing I’ve found useful is to remain flexible with time blocks, allowing for the unexpected. For example, if a research session ends early, I use that extra time to brainstorm ideas for writing, ensuring that every moment is used productively while still staying true to the overall structure.

Effective time management is important for any task, including research and writing. To optimize your workflow, it’s essential to create a detailed plan for each phase of your writing work. Organize your day into time blocks, dedicating each block to specific activities such as research, data gathering, analysis, writing, reviewing, editing, and proofreading. Be sure to schedule short breaks between work sessions to avoid burnout. You should also set clear goals you want to achieve from each block of time. By using time blocking, you can manage your research and writing tasks more efficiently, enhancing your concentration and productivity.

O método Bergmaniano pode ser uma abordagem interessante. Ele consiste em dedicar três horas fixas do seu dia, preferencialmente no período da manh?, para revisitar seu caderno de ideias e escrever de forma concentrada. Após essas três horas, interrompa a escrita. Use o restante do tempo para refletir, ler, estudar e, claro, viver!

Set a goal per business day of word count or minutes. Use the same time every day. Decide where you will pick up on the next day.

Cultivate an environment that encourages critical thinking and immense focus. Concentration is vital in order to efficiently get work done. It will be much harder to conduct quality research and well-thought-out writing if you are checking your phone every five minutes or distracted by constant noise in the background.

Distractions can really break your focus. When working on important tasks, I keep my phone out of reach and let those around me know I need uninterrupted time. I also play a favorite one-hour instrumental playlist and find a quiet spot to work. This setup helps me stay in the zone and keep my research and writing on track.

Eliminating distractions is a key element for me. I like to be by myself in an atmosphere that is calming for me. I don't put pressure on myself by setting up goals if writing so many words. I take my mind to the time and setting of what I'm writing. I let the feelings and emotions, the sounds, the setting flow through me. That's when I'm able to write!

Writing solo can be a challenge for many people. Collaboration, even loose 'eye in the sky' collaboration from professionals can help focus the mind, process and schedule. So, if you find staying on target - creatively or practically - is a challenge, consider asking our colleague to keep an eye on your progress. You can ask them to help you for free while you offer them the same.

Staying flexible in this situation really helps. Do your research, pause, write, identify gaps, and then research again to fill in the missing pieces. This approach keeps you on track with your timeline and prevents you from getting lost in research, writing, or staying motivated. Another way to overcome this situation is to get feedback from someone, whether it's your manager, a friend, or a colleague. Sometimes, their input can quickly give you clarity on the perspective you were missing.

If you’re struggling with research, I often find it can be a key word issue, or approaching it from the wrong angle. If I hit a block, I often find that asking colleagues can throw up some research or different directions that will help me on my way.

Keep a notebook to brainstorm the project while you're away from your computer. Actively think about the project while working out, cooking dinner, cleaning the house, etc. These are great opportunities to make a connection that might not have been obvious at first.

Reflecting regularly will also help you eliminate the not so important thoughts or points and enhance clarity. However, reflection should be done after you have finished the first draft. Take a break and then come back and reflect. A physical shift might bring in a new perspective. You can even take help from your colleagues or other like minded people to help when you hit a roadblock.

You can't cut corners doing legal research, if and when it becomes necessary. After 35 years of practice, I rarely need to do legal research. Though, if necessary, and time is short, consider outsourcing the legal research - perhaps to two or three different sources. Jack

It is extremely important to let go at times. When research takes a toll on your concentration, stop your research and write for a while. When writing gets tiring or if you run of ideas to write, stop writing and indulge in research. Changes in perspective will add value to your thinking process, enabling you to manage both research and writing.

While setting deadlines is a great idea, it is also good to be adaptable and flexible. Remember, it is okay to have to move things around or to take a bit more time than intended on one thing. After all, unexpected things and events always pop up, and it is good to be open to adjusting to them.

Sometimes research and expert insight leads the way with writing a story and sometimes writing does. Conducting some initial research and then beginning the writing process can get the ball rolling but be flexible if you need to stop writing to research more.