Quick Tip: Do a Sprint
When a client hires me to be their writing partner and help them create a book manuscript, I always propose that we kick off the project with a five-day sprint.
Here's how it works:
Undivided Attention
We both clear our calendars for five days in a row.
For those five days, no meetings, no presentations, no
email.
We commit to bringing our full and undivided attention to the book, and only the book, and nothing but the book.
Set Up the Space
We set up a beautiful workspace that is uncluttered and calm—with copious amounts
of coffee, tea, water, and snacks.
Prep In Advance
Before the sprint begins, we do prep work: make a book outline, conduct interviews, do research, gather supplies, etc.
That way, when the sprint begins, we have
everything we need and can dive right into writing. No delays. We're ready to go!
High Energy
We bring "sprint energy" to the project. This means trusting our creative instincts and making decisions quickly.
It also means eating
nutritious food, taking invigorating walks, and getting fresh air to keep our energy lifted.
Ask, "What If?"
Rather than setting a rigid goal, we ask hopeful, open-ended questions.
For example, instead of saying, "We
must complete five chapters in five days" (high pressure, stressful), we say, "Let's see how much we can do! What if we finish even more than we think?" (optimistic, curious).
I've tried this approach with numerous clients. It's astonishing how much we get done. Often, we end up writing half the book during this initial five-day sprint!
